Discover a hidden gourmet destination in Tasmania

Take an idyllic farm on 15 acres of bushland overlooking the lovely Huon River in Tasmania's deep south.

Add a cosy studio cabin with all modern conveniences, a wood fire and delicious local produce.

Throw in delightful bush walking tracks, including one down to the local creek, where you might spot a platypus.

Then think of fresh fruit, vegetables and chicken's eggs from the property's own permaculture garden so you can create a breakfast or snack crafted with minimal food miles.

The two hosts have decades of hospitality experience - and one of them is an expert chef, who can whip up a three-course gourmet meal for you to enjoy in your cabin, or on the deck in summer.

Welcome to The Little Seed, a lovely couples retreat at Franklin, less than an hour from Hobart. And you can even bring your furry friend with you, should you choose.

Peter Clarke and Charlie Ebell opened The Little Seed about a year ago after selling their hugely successful Mavis's Kitchen accommodation and restaurant business in northern New South Wales,

They transformed a shed/car port into delightful accommodation and grow their own fruit and vegetables, which they craft into jams and chutneys. They are charming hosts: leaving you to your privacy, but available should you need anything.



The hamlet of Franklin, just a two-minute drive away, has several cafes and restaurants, while Huonville and Cygnet - two popular weekend destinations for Hobartians - are close by.

This pair have thought of just about everything - from USB chargers in the bedroom to hand-written welcome notes with local suggestions.

 

The leisure options are myriad - and very chilled.

Perhaps sit by the dam with a good book (as modelled by Albi above, but without a book), take a long, slow bath in the old-style tub, or stroll around the property, check out the local wildlife and take in the views of the somnambulant river below.

You can kick back in the large living room with its old-style charm along with a large TV, free wifi and access to Netflix, Foxtel and Prime Video.

A fully equipped kitchen with gas hotplates, oven, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, toaster, kettle, cutlery and crockery makes self catering a breeze and there is a wood-fired heater, air conditioning, and a bedroom with a king bed and luxury linen.

Help yourself to a gin and tonic from the honesty bar, or maybe a bottle of local wine from the likes of Kate Hill Wines and Heriots Point.

I'd recommend dining in one night and a visit to the Italian-accented Osteria at Petty Sessions (a five-minute drive away) the other night.

Our dine-in menu featured goat cheese and red onion tart with garden salad; twice-roasted free-range duck with organic potatoes, greens and orange sauce (below), followed by Huon apple crumble with ice cream.

Everything was restaurant quality.

 

Other main-course options include slow-cooked lamb shanks, beef stroganoff or a Sri Lankan-style curry. Vegetarian options are also available.

Single night pricing for accommodation is $350 with multi-night pricing at $225 per night Thursday to Sunday or $250 per night Friday and Saturday. Dinners are extra and need to be pre-booked.

See https://thelittleseed.com.au/ 

# The writer was a guest of The Little Seed