Freycinet Lodge

The utterly unique Freycinet Peninsula is a tiny appendage sticking off the sparsely populated east side of the island of Tasmania, which is itself set a hundred miles off the south coast of the not exactly crowded nation of Australia. So suffice it to say, if you make it as far as Coles Bay, you’ve really gotten somewhere. You won’t likely find yourself just passing through — and the Freycinet Lodge is a worthy destination.

In keeping with the rugged realities of the landscape, Freycinet Lodge is something like a luxury rethink of the classic camp cabin. Simple, high-ceilinged and light-filled wooden structures seem quite comfortable in their majestic surroundings, hugging close to the main lodge building, a contemporary classic with a giant stone fireplace anchoring its centerpoint. Cabins are available in four levels of luxuriousness, increasing in space as they go; interiors are understated, and private terraces aimed toward the nearby beach and dock will draw your eye outdoors.

The short list of amenities includes tennis courts, barbecues, and that’s about it; the focus, clearly, is on getting out to explore. By this logic, there is no pool — but with the absurdly seductive beach and crystal-clear bay in the foreground, a pool would be somewhat beside the point. Two fine restaurants obviate any need for foraging: the more formal dining room at The Bay prides itself on a wine cellar loaded with Australia’s best, and cuisine to match, while Richardson’s Bistro is the more relaxed option.