Somewhere beautiful to stay next time you visit Tasmania

The Huon Valley in southern Tasmania is a gourmet hotspot; home to several boutique wineries like Home Hill, Two Bud Spur, Sailor Seeks Horse and Stefano Lubiana's recent acquisition Panorama Vineyard, along with Willie Smith's, Franks and Pagan cider.

Now the region 45 minutes of Hobart has luxury accommodation to match its other attractions.

Two newly-opened luxury cottages at Frenchman's River, a 90-hectare cattle farm owned by McLeod's Daughters and Hi-5 creator Posie Graeme-Evans and her designer partner Andrew Blaxland give the region some accommodation with star quality.

The couple moved to Cygnet almost a decade ago as Posie's second career as a novelist took off and they have now opened the Writer's House and the Helmsman's House to share their little slice of paradise with visitors.

Think beautifully decorated and appointed cottages, private, both with sweeping views of the Huon River below, delightful garden decks, birds of prey overhead and a resident platypus in the dam. The southernmost region of Australia is both wild and beautiful.

If the setting is rural then the cottages are all country style, with roaring wood fires and every little luxury from Netflix movies on tap on the Apple TV to Bose sound system, luxurious baths and cupboards and fridges full of local gourmet treats (including a complimentary bottle of local wine, some local Pagan ciders and a beer or two).

Well-organised guests will time their visit to coincide with one of Cygnet's local festivals (a folk festival each January, the Le Weekend festival celebrating the port's links with France in April, or the mid-winter lantern parade), or, perhaps, with the lively Cygnet Market (held on the first and third Sundays of the month); a hive of activity with local foodstuffs, arts and crafts.

The name Frenchman’s River celebrates the little-known French history of the Huon region when, more than 200 years ago, French explorers sailed into Cygnet Bay and would have claimed Tasmania for France had they not been under the misapprehension that it was part of the mainland. Names like Bruny Island, Freycinet and the d’Entrecasteaux Channel keep alive the memories of adventurers Huon de Kermadec and Bruni d'Entrecasteaux.

Both cottages feature high-quality linens, original Tasmanian artworks, informative house books and comfortable furnishings.

The opening rate for The Writer’s House is $345 per night while the Helmsman’s House is $365 per night for one couple. All introductory package bookings are for a minimum two nights and are subject to availability. Free dinner is included for the first night if requested.

Frenchman's River is at 130 Winns Road, Cygnet. 0466 790 142 or see www.frenchmansriver.com.au.