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Well, sorry, but placing a few groceries in the larder doesn’t make a bed and
breakfast!
Now we have a situation where bed and breakfast devotees are frequently being
disappointed in their expectations of Tasmanian B & Bs – no hosts and if you
want breakfast, get it yourself! Sadly, people trying a B & B for the first
time, who have been sold unhosted accommodation as bed and breakfast, will never
know the difference; they will just wonder what all the hype is about.
Whilst Tasmanian B & Bs former tasmaniabedandbreakfasts.com.au is no longer
active, there is now another site that list hosted accommodation:
Hosted
Accommodation Australia — is the recognised national peak industry
organisation representing B&Bs, farm stays, guest houses, boutique hotels,
cottages and other self contained, hosted accommodation.
Check out some of these hosted B&B's:
 Make
friends with Bears at Geeveston
If you are travelling in the south of the state and visiting the Tahune Forest
Airwalk, you will leave the main road to head off into the Hartz Mountains
National Park at Geeveston, so that’s a good stopover point. Why not try the
quirkily-named Bears Went Over the Mountain B & B.
Run by Dave and Tess Lemondine with the willing help of their 7 year old
daughter, Paris-Jade (PJ), Bears are friendly to everyone including children and
pets. There are games and lots of fun things for the kids, even a jumping
castle. Located right in the main street and close to all town amenities, Bears
of Geeveston also has a restaurant, so evening meals are taken care of.
Dave is a qualified chef with 30 years experience who will take good care of
your inner man, whilst Tess and PJ look after front of house duties and love to
entertain guests. The couple opted out of the hustle and bustle of Canberra and
made the move to Tasmania 18 months ago, to enjoy a different way of life and a
safe place to raise PJ. Check out The Bears’ website at
www.bearsoverthemountain.com.
 An
English country garden at Fentonbury – with platypus and other Australian natives!
Heading further north, the other side of Hobart you will find a little place
called Fentonbury, home of Hamlet Downs Country Accommodation. Step into an
English country garden surrounded by the beauty of the Australian bush and
wildlife - native birds, echidnas and, yes, you may even see a platypus in the
wild. All this just near your front door. Stroll around the beautiful 36 acres
of ponds, fields and gardens. This is the natural tranquillity and beauty of
Tasmania at its finest.
The warm welcome of your hosts, Peter and Sue Ontatzis, and their superb
culinary skills, using only the finest produce, will ensure that this is one
stopover that needs to be repeated. To top it off only 10 minutes’ drive away is
Mt Field National Park and the famous Russell Falls and it’s just 25 minutes’
drive to Maydena, the Florentine Valley and the World Heritage south west
wilderness area. Visit their website for more information
www.hamletdowns.com.
A taste of paradise at Hawley Beach
At the other end of the island you will find Paradise Place B & B, a luxury,
romantic adult getaway. Located on the north west coast, just 100 metres from
the pristine turquoise waters of Hawley Beach, an ideal base for day trips, you
will have ambient luxury awaiting your return from a day of touring. Relax with
a complimentary bottle of wine in the guest lounge or the alfresco area, and
perhaps order a gourmet platter to go with it. The beautiful bathroom - with
bath - beckons a soak. Or, if you still have energy left, take a stroll along
the delightful secluded coves and take in the vista of the Narawntapu Mountains
looming vividly over the bay.
 Your
hosts, Frank and Gail, aim to bring you paradise. Hailing from Western
Australia, Gail and Frank first dreamed of semi-retirement and a B & B in
France, but this path seemed fraught with difficulty. Then they discovered
Tasmania, which they quickly realised has all the charm of rural France and
Europe, but without the hassles of different currency, different language and
different culture. Your hosts are always there for guests, when wanted, but at
the same time guarantee your privacy. You may never want to leave Paradise! Read
more at
www.paradiseplacebnb.com.au.
Make sure you stay at a real Tasmanian bed and breakfast
Read the small print, ask the question – is it hosted? If not, keep looking
or check out some of those listed above. Don't forget to check out the range of
listed accommodation on
AusEmade Australia for Tasmania.
Brenda Bourne, proprietor of
Mole Creek
Lodge Bed and Breakfast, Mole Creek, Tasmania |
