Bushy Summers

A Creative Bayside Hideaway in Tasmania

This atmospheric getaway on the west coast of Tasmania is a great place to unwind, disconnect from the world, and feed your creativity. Resting on the shores of Lettes Bay, it's a delightfully restored cabin, perched on the waterfront, with birdsong and resident ducks to remind you of your connection with nature.

Designed by its owner Claire, a creative director, photographer, interior stylist and author, it's all about simple, nurturing living. The house is full of the owners' personal books and treasures that guests are invited to enjoy. There are carefully chosen bed linens, hand-dyed velvet cushions, special objects such as a Tasmanian ceramic teapot and mugs, plus handmade huon pine chopping boards. Explore the cupboards, and you'll even find some supplies for sketching and writing.

This is a place to tuck yourself away. The owners recommend soaking in the cast-iron claw-foot bathtub, watching the gum treetops swaying, or spending lazy days in the traditional iron bed, looking out over the bay with a cup of tea and a good book. Alternatively, sit on the deck with a glass of Tasmanian wine, reading, writing, or painting, or perch on the edge of the jetty, toes dangling above the water. If you ever feel like leaving the cabin, take a stroll along the shoreline and wander the lovely communal grounds of Lettes Bay.

The house has a bathroom, bedroom and living room, as well as a well-equipped kitchen area with all the basic supplies plus a few little extras. This cabin rental in Tasmania is the ideal location for couples who want to spend some quality time together, or creatives needing to reboot.

To read a conversation with Bushy Summers' owner and designer, visit our Stories section here.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Please note there is no shower, only a bath, and no TV. There are three wall-mounted radiators - one under the front window, one under the bedroom window, and one under the bathroom window. Please feel free to use them when necessary, but keep in mind the environment.

Parking is not on site; however, it is available a short walk away on the opposite side of the road. The house may not be suited to guests with limited mobility.

AROUND

Bushy Summers is tucked away at the end of Lettes Bay, a serene hideaway with constantly changing weather and enormous skies. The bay comes alive in the summer, but cozy winters can be very appealing too. A car is essential.

For supplies, the local grocer is a 10-minute drive and has most things you'll need. The best coffee is to be found at the Coffee Shack, which also sells good homecooked treats. There is a liquor store in Strahan, along with a petrol station and laundromat.

The wild, remote and untamed western Tasmanian coast is home to expansive stretches of rugged wilderness and coastline with massive dunes and charming harbor towns. The gateway to the UNESCO listed Franklin–Gordon Wild Rivers National Park and the West Coast Wilderness Railway, the town of Strahan is a great jumping off point for exploring the pristine rainforests and waterways of the interior. Take a steam train ride (5-minute drive) or explore Macquarie Harbour on a Gordon River Cruise (the terminal is a 10-minute drive).

Set along the enormous Macquarie Harbour, the town has a dark and notorious past as a penal colony and pioneer town but today is an iconic travel destination with artisan shops and cafes. Just over 25 miles from the former mining town of Queenstown, the cabin is over four hours from Hobart and four hours from Launceston.

LOCATION

Lettes Bay, Strahan, Tasmania, Australia. Four hours from Hobart and Launceston.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Bushy Summers is a great place to stay all year around. The weather can be a little wild in winter, and very occasionally the roads can be cut off. Please consider travel insurance in case you need to cancel at short notice.