The perfect place to chill out for a day or two in Tasmania

It is hard to imagine a more idyllic location for a country retreat than that enjoyed by Laid Back Manor in southern Tasmania.

Surrounded by forests and bordered by a rivulet occupied by platypuses, this couples cabin is located in the Pelverata Valley, which is so off the beaten track that many Tasmanians would struggle to place it on a map.

We are just 30 minutes from Hobart but in a world of tranquillity on one of the island state's roads less travelled.

Laid Back Manor can be found between the hamlets of Pelverata and Kaoota (neither of which has so much as a village store) on the border of the Huon Valley and Kingborough.

The sounds here are those of wild birds, the sights of wild country - and a range of local wildlife, including possums, pademelons and spotted quolls.



Laid Back Manor was created by a couple of born and bred Tasmanians - hands-on duo Kylie Quilliam and Adam Marthick - and is much more than just a place to chill out for a night or two.

As well as being close enough to Hobart to be a base for exploring the capital of the Apple Isle, the property is also home to an 18-hole pitch-and-putt course, a weddings and venues site and, soon, a massage and yoga centre.

Within a short drive you can find wineries, cider producers, art trails and spectacular waterfalls, along with roadside honesty stalls selling local produce.

The pleasures here are simple ones; a luxurious bed (one of the most comfortable I have tried) dominates a well-equipped cabin with excellent kitchen facilities and a well-thought-out bathroom with excellent shower.

 


There are enough kitchen gadgets to keep the fussiest cook happy; from nutribullets to a convection microwave.

Inclusions feature wifi with unlimited data (although it was a little temperamental when I stayed), that glorious bed, electric blankets, hot water bottle, reverse-cycle air-conditioning and an outdoor swinging couch with cushions, heated blanket and overhead heating - perfect for summer slumbers, or night-time wildlife spotting.

The kitchenette has a hot plate, that convection microwave oven, air fryer, toaster and kettle, as well as an espresso machine and coffee pod machine.

Chopping boards, all cutlery and crockery, glasses and pots and pans are provided, along with umbrellas for rainy days and other necessities of life like cooking oil, salt and pepper, tea bags, sugar sachets and an emergency jar of chocolates.

There is even a golf buggy that the less mobile can use to explore the golf course and creek bank.  

 


Walkers will find plenty of rugged native bushland through which to trek, while bird watchers have a wide range of species to spot.

There is firepit right on your doorstep should you fancy dining al fresco, and while there is no TV or sound system, the changing light reflecting on the trees at night proves mesmerising. Bring a book. 



The pitch-and-putt course is essentially a very small golf course with no fairways, so every shot is either a pitch, chip or putt.

You can play an 18-hole circuit over 10 small, but challenging, greens. Each hole is a par three, varying in distance from 29 to 86 meters and it takes around 45 minutes to complete a round.

Kellaway’s Creek passes through the course and is in play on multiple holes. Adam has plans to hold monthly competitions here.



Adjoining the golf course (clubs and balls are provided, along with scorecards) there is a sculpture garden with some of the artworks lit up at night - and there is also an in-ground trampoline for more active visitors, as well as a pet duck that is happy to be hand fed.

I particularly enjoyed sitting on the banks of the creek, trying to spot trout (success!) and the platypus (failure).

The events area can cater for groups of up to 30 guests with a moveable marquee available on-site.

Retreats and workshops, team building exercises and acoustic music performances can all but catered for.

A superb spot to chill out for a day or two and the owners are on hand if you need them, but you can also opt for complete privacy should that be your preference.

For details and bookings see www.laidbackmanor.com.au.    

# The writer was a guest of Laid Back Manor.