Huon Bush Retreats
Property Information
Property Locality: Huon Valley, Southwest Tasmania
Type of Property: Self contained cabins, tipees and campground
Number of Cabins: 3 studio, 2 two bedroom cabins
Maximum Persons: Please enquire as accommodation is flexible
Children: suitable for children
Rates
Price Range: $30 - $250 per couple per night
Studio: $250 per couple per night
Two Bedroom: $350 for four people
Tipees: $125 per couple per night
Campground: $15 per night
Extra guests: $25 per night
Prices considerable lower when booking for more than one night.
Special Conditions:
Rates are inclusive of GST and are subject to change without notice.
Property Description
Set in an extensive private nature reserve, Huon Bush Retreats is just 50 minutes drive south of Hobart, in the Huon Valley. Accommodation includes self-contained studio and two bedroom cabins, tipees and campground. All the retreats have been designed as a true retreat- each cabin is separate and private. Streamside and Clifftop cabins are totally secluded. All cabins are free from TV and other electrical appliances with the exception of the supplied compact disk player.
Studio Cabins
Big Tree Cabin- self contained and spacious studio style cabin nestled peacefully on the hillside. This cabin is positioned to maximise spectacular views of remnant old growth forest, from your lounge, veranda and outdoor bath. Ideally suited for couples or small families.
Streamside Cabin - with a 500 metre private driveway this cabin is positioned deep within the forest for absolute privacy. Streamside is a self contained and spacious studio style cabin with a secluded, fern glade, stream side position. Ideally suited for couples (though can be configured for a small family) and very popular with honeymooners and couples celebrating special times in their lives.
Acacia Grove Cabin - self contained spacious studio style cabin surrounded by native forest in the heart of the property. Acacia Grove features a level mossy lawned area, perfect for viewing resident wildlife. Ideally suited for couples or small families.
Two Bedroom Cabins
Wallaby Grassland cabin - situated in the heart of the property and surrounded by Silver Wattles and other native forest species. It can be used as a two bedroom cabin or can be reconfigured as a large open plan meeting or staff retreat space. With level access and wheel-in bathroom, it meets mobility disabled standards and sleeps up to 9 people. It is in a semi-private open forest setting with outdoor space for children to play. The main bedroom is equipped with a queen sized bed and double bunks while the large second upstairs bedroom has a queen bed and up to three singles
Clifftop Cabin - situated in its own secluded clifftop environment. It's huge deck takes advantage of lofty views of the surrounding forest and spectacular distant valley and mountain views. Ideally suited for families, friends travelling together, staff retreats and small conferences.
Tipees
Strong timber and canvas construction has allowed building on the edge of natural bushland without major clearings. This gives privacy and close connection with the peaceful surroundings.
Showers and toilets are at the modern campground amenities block one minute walk from your tipee. The campground also features our almost famous outdoor bath for two. This bath is shared among tipee and campground guests and runs on a booking system.
The shared camp kitchen is well equipped for self catering. Most items are supplied including cutlery, crockery, utensils and pots. The gas range has a full sized oven. Here is the place to enjoy the company of an open fire. Alternatively, let our chef prepare your meal and have it served to your tipee.
Campground
Not your average campground! We offer unpowered tent and campervan sites in an extensive habitat reserve with modern, spacious amenities, all the equipment you’ll need to cook up a storm, a five kilometre network of bushwalks and the opportunity for an outdoor bath under the stars. Each tent site is private and surrounded by Huon Bush Retreat’s protected native forest. Separate campervan sites provide level parking for a comfortable nights sleep and are located close to amenities and are also surrounded by native bushland.
Environmental Initiatives:
Huon Bush Retreats is a part of Mount Misery Habitat Reserve. Mt Misery Habitat Reserve is a loose collection of co-operatively managed private properties of about 8 square kilometres (1600 acres). Many are covered by legally binding conservation covenants.
Cabin Eco-Features
At Huon Bush Retreats, we take responsibility for our own environmental management. Huon Nature Trust, which owns the land, has been set up to allow people to contribute to the protection of land and natural values in the area.
The cabins are built entirely of steel to be extremely fire resistant. This allows each cabin to be nestled in it's own environment, in close contact with the surrounding forest instead of the usual 30 metre clearing. Cabins are fully insulated and heated by modern wood fired heaters. We grow more wood on site than we consume.
Twelve volt, solar generated electricity operates the lights and music throughout the entire site.
Water Quality Protection And Natureloo Dry Composting Toilets
Protection of water quality is very important in the operation of HBR. We source all our water from natural sources and carry out minimal treatment.
Our water quality is preserved firstly by not mixing clean water with sewage. To achieve this we use dry composting Natureloo toilets. Composting toilets mean there is no black water discharge and halves our total water consumption. Our waste water treatment first separates grease, then lint and particles. The remaining grey water goes to evapo-transpiration beds that keep untreated waste water out of the water table but still returns it to the earth. Most is then taken up by plants that use the dissolved nutrients to benefit their growth. Our operation is water neutral, ie we return as much as we take and what leaves our land is as clean as what enters it.
Water is collected on site from the building roofs.
Composting
Each cabin is supplied with a bench top compost bin which we empty into our composting system-the resultant compost is then used in our organic vege garden to produce some of the ingredients for our menu and food label.
Recycling
Recycling bins are provided to each cabin.
Cleaning Products
We use Clean Conscience -natural cleaning products and laundry powder.
Active In Community Environmental Protection
Michael is active in local conservation campaigns and was a founding member of the Huon Valley Environment Centre. He was also active in the community campaign to prevent Gunns Timber from logging the Lucaston Valley.
Paul was a full time activist during the Franklin River campaign as well as working on a wide range of other issues. He now works as a ranger with Parks and Wildlife Service. Michael and Paul's success in achieving conservation goals lead to the opening of Huon Bush Retreats being blockaded by 60 forest workers and their families. We see this as an acknowledgement of our success in achieving good conservation outcomes over the years.
HBR was opened on 22 February 2004 by Senator Bob Brown. Bob and his partner Paul Thomas were our first guests.
All staff share our environmental sentiments ensuring that the Huon Bush Retreats commitment to environmental protection carries throughout every level of operation.
We further our commitment to the environment by supporting other organisations with donated gift voucher prizes.
Contact Details
Hosts: Michael Higgins and Paul Dimmick
Address: 300 Browns Road,Ranelagh, Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6264 2233
If phoning this property direct, make sure to tell them you found them on the ecohotel directory!
Property Locality: Huon Valley, Southwest Tasmania
Type of Property: Self contained cabins, tipees and campground
Number of Cabins: 3 studio, 2 two bedroom cabins
Maximum Persons: Please enquire as accommodation is flexible
Children: suitable for children
Rates
Price Range: $30 - $250 per couple per night
Studio: $250 per couple per night
Two Bedroom: $350 for four people
Tipees: $125 per couple per night
Campground: $15 per night
Extra guests: $25 per night
Prices considerable lower when booking for more than one night.
Special Conditions:
Rates are inclusive of GST and are subject to change without notice.
Property Description
Set in an extensive private nature reserve, Huon Bush Retreats is just 50 minutes drive south of Hobart, in the Huon Valley. Accommodation includes self-contained studio and two bedroom cabins, tipees and campground. All the retreats have been designed as a true retreat- each cabin is separate and private. Streamside and Clifftop cabins are totally secluded. All cabins are free from TV and other electrical appliances with the exception of the supplied compact disk player.
Studio Cabins
Big Tree Cabin- self contained and spacious studio style cabin nestled peacefully on the hillside. This cabin is positioned to maximise spectacular views of remnant old growth forest, from your lounge, veranda and outdoor bath. Ideally suited for couples or small families.
Streamside Cabin - with a 500 metre private driveway this cabin is positioned deep within the forest for absolute privacy. Streamside is a self contained and spacious studio style cabin with a secluded, fern glade, stream side position. Ideally suited for couples (though can be configured for a small family) and very popular with honeymooners and couples celebrating special times in their lives.
Acacia Grove Cabin - self contained spacious studio style cabin surrounded by native forest in the heart of the property. Acacia Grove features a level mossy lawned area, perfect for viewing resident wildlife. Ideally suited for couples or small families.
Two Bedroom Cabins
Wallaby Grassland cabin - situated in the heart of the property and surrounded by Silver Wattles and other native forest species. It can be used as a two bedroom cabin or can be reconfigured as a large open plan meeting or staff retreat space. With level access and wheel-in bathroom, it meets mobility disabled standards and sleeps up to 9 people. It is in a semi-private open forest setting with outdoor space for children to play. The main bedroom is equipped with a queen sized bed and double bunks while the large second upstairs bedroom has a queen bed and up to three singles
Clifftop Cabin - situated in its own secluded clifftop environment. It's huge deck takes advantage of lofty views of the surrounding forest and spectacular distant valley and mountain views. Ideally suited for families, friends travelling together, staff retreats and small conferences.
Tipees
Strong timber and canvas construction has allowed building on the edge of natural bushland without major clearings. This gives privacy and close connection with the peaceful surroundings.
Showers and toilets are at the modern campground amenities block one minute walk from your tipee. The campground also features our almost famous outdoor bath for two. This bath is shared among tipee and campground guests and runs on a booking system.
The shared camp kitchen is well equipped for self catering. Most items are supplied including cutlery, crockery, utensils and pots. The gas range has a full sized oven. Here is the place to enjoy the company of an open fire. Alternatively, let our chef prepare your meal and have it served to your tipee.
Campground
Not your average campground! We offer unpowered tent and campervan sites in an extensive habitat reserve with modern, spacious amenities, all the equipment you’ll need to cook up a storm, a five kilometre network of bushwalks and the opportunity for an outdoor bath under the stars. Each tent site is private and surrounded by Huon Bush Retreat’s protected native forest. Separate campervan sites provide level parking for a comfortable nights sleep and are located close to amenities and are also surrounded by native bushland.
Environmental Initiatives:
Huon Bush Retreats is a part of Mount Misery Habitat Reserve. Mt Misery Habitat Reserve is a loose collection of co-operatively managed private properties of about 8 square kilometres (1600 acres). Many are covered by legally binding conservation covenants.
Cabin Eco-Features
At Huon Bush Retreats, we take responsibility for our own environmental management. Huon Nature Trust, which owns the land, has been set up to allow people to contribute to the protection of land and natural values in the area.
The cabins are built entirely of steel to be extremely fire resistant. This allows each cabin to be nestled in it's own environment, in close contact with the surrounding forest instead of the usual 30 metre clearing. Cabins are fully insulated and heated by modern wood fired heaters. We grow more wood on site than we consume.
Twelve volt, solar generated electricity operates the lights and music throughout the entire site.
Water Quality Protection And Natureloo Dry Composting Toilets
Protection of water quality is very important in the operation of HBR. We source all our water from natural sources and carry out minimal treatment.
Our water quality is preserved firstly by not mixing clean water with sewage. To achieve this we use dry composting Natureloo toilets. Composting toilets mean there is no black water discharge and halves our total water consumption. Our waste water treatment first separates grease, then lint and particles. The remaining grey water goes to evapo-transpiration beds that keep untreated waste water out of the water table but still returns it to the earth. Most is then taken up by plants that use the dissolved nutrients to benefit their growth. Our operation is water neutral, ie we return as much as we take and what leaves our land is as clean as what enters it.
Water is collected on site from the building roofs.
Composting
Each cabin is supplied with a bench top compost bin which we empty into our composting system-the resultant compost is then used in our organic vege garden to produce some of the ingredients for our menu and food label.
Recycling
Recycling bins are provided to each cabin.
Cleaning Products
We use Clean Conscience -natural cleaning products and laundry powder.
Active In Community Environmental Protection
Michael is active in local conservation campaigns and was a founding member of the Huon Valley Environment Centre. He was also active in the community campaign to prevent Gunns Timber from logging the Lucaston Valley.
Paul was a full time activist during the Franklin River campaign as well as working on a wide range of other issues. He now works as a ranger with Parks and Wildlife Service. Michael and Paul's success in achieving conservation goals lead to the opening of Huon Bush Retreats being blockaded by 60 forest workers and their families. We see this as an acknowledgement of our success in achieving good conservation outcomes over the years.
HBR was opened on 22 February 2004 by Senator Bob Brown. Bob and his partner Paul Thomas were our first guests.
All staff share our environmental sentiments ensuring that the Huon Bush Retreats commitment to environmental protection carries throughout every level of operation.
We further our commitment to the environment by supporting other organisations with donated gift voucher prizes.
Contact Details
Hosts: Michael Higgins and Paul Dimmick
Address: 300 Browns Road,Ranelagh, Tasmania
Phone: (03) 6264 2233
If phoning this property direct, make sure to tell them you found them on the ecohotel directory!
environmentally friendly accommodation, ecotourism, green travel
