Situated intimately between the ocean, a national park, a forest and Australia's Port Arthur…read moreHistoric Site, Stewarts Bay Lodge at Port Arthur provides premium accommodations on Tasmania's Tasman Peninsula. The area is well known for its physical beauty, incredible history and rich natural diversity. The lodge is set on 22 acres and has a stunning waterfront position with Stewarts Bay Beach on one side and the secluded Ladies Bay on the other. Guests have access to the adjoining Port Arthur Historic site via a 15 minute walking track through the bush. The private 1, 2 and 3 bedroom log cabins and deluxe spa lodges are self-contained with full kitchen and laundry facilities.
We stayed in a one bedroom waterfront cabin, with spectacular views of both Stewart Bay and Ladies Bay, just really an amazing sight. The room was equipped with a possessed air conditioner, that was literally blowing ice water at us, wasn't that much of a problem, since it was the summer season (end of January). The cabins came with a washer and dryer which we used religiously over the 1.5 week stay, great decision on behalf of Stewarts Bay Lodge to include these in the room. So there's no need for a half dozen suitcases full of clothes, unless your too lazy to actually do a load of wash. Very spacious living and dining areas. The kitchen was well equipped with most all the appliances you would have at home. It was truly an incredible experience to watch my girl cook me dinner while I relaxed in the "Hot Tub"....LOL ;) I also did my fair share and cooked her brekkie, so I guess I'm now somewhat domesticated :( BTW: there's not really anywhere at the lodge to buy groceries, so you have to go outside to one of the IGA stores down the road in Nubeena to purchase food. It's about a 15 minute drive to get some food to prepare back at the lodge, the selection is not all that great. For a much better selection of groceries, travel into Hobart where you can find most everything you need, along wiv many other shops to peek in.
The main bathroom was amazing, decent size, with a huge ensuite spa bath. Our master suite consisted of a huge, fluffy and comfortable king size bed, spa bath and private balcony, with forest and waterfront views. There's a great deal of bushland that surrounds the lodges, depending upon what specific lodge ur staying at. You can experience the wonder of the many, gorgeous, local birds....just kick back on the balcony and watch the local birds nest in the trees right outside your room, while they sing to eachother back and forth.
If you want to eat out, Stewarts Bay Lodge offers Taylors Restaurant and Function Centre, which has a wide range of dining and event options. Open all year round, the restaurant has fireplaces blazing if it's winter, and a large outdoor dining terrace with stunning water views for warmer weather. The fish and chips at Taylors absolutely rocks, ate it for lunch every day there. Taylors also offers private dining rooms, well selected quality of Tasmanian and Australian wines, original dishes created with local influence, and of course, you can enjoy local fresh seafood straight from the boats...the seafood is by far the best thing on the menu. BTW: they also do weddings there, for anyone who's getting hitched. The lodge also has barbies available for those guests who fancy to BBQ the local seafood and meats, some really fresh seafood and veggies can be purchased in Hobart.
Honestly, my ulterior motive, was to trek down to Shipstern Bluff, arguably one of the greatest surf spots in Tassie. There is a vast number of surf breaks on the East Coast that offer great waves. Shipstern Bluff or Shippers is considered to be one of the most dangerous and heavier waves in Australia. It is an exposed reef break close to the historic Port Arthur. Port Arthur is at about 60km (37 miles, for those not on the metric scale) in the southeast of Hobart, the capital state of Tasmania. The enormous waves of the Southern Ocean eventually roll up at Raoul Bay on the Tasman Peninsula, where they create Shipstern Bluff's legendary monster breaks. Shippers is possibly Tasmania's most accessible big break, but still involves a walk from Stormlea Road on the Tasman Peninsula, and in my opinion, the walked sucked, especially having to lug two shorty boards through the wilderness. Shipstern Bluff is usually uncrowded and it is suitable for very experienced surfers only. Offshore winds blow from the north and the ideal swell direction is from the south, southwest. The waves hit swell sizes from 8-18 feet, depending upon the season you go, winter actually has the more agressive impact zones. Note: Anyone wanting to carve some waves at Shippers, definitely watch out for sharks, rocks and rips. The last time I was there I saw two white pointer sharks (Great Whites) and they were easily 4-5 metres (13-16 feet)....those sharks are certainly eating well....scared the shitters out of me.
