Review of Bay of Fires Lodge, by Daniel Scott

You arrive at the Bay of Fires Lodge at the mid-point of a four day walk along the remote north-east coast of Tasmania. At first, as you look up toward it from the glittering bay below, you can barely see this hotel, so well hidden is it among native trees. It is not until you have climbed the knoll on which it sits that this vision in hardwood, pine and glass, designed by architect Ken Latona, properly reveals itself.

Reaching the Lodge like this, after two undemanding days of hiking through the Mount William National Park and spending one night in a comfortable beach camp, is good preparation for the eco-sensitive experience of staying here. The environmental credentials here are strong. Only three trees were cleared during its construction, rainwater and solar-generated energy are used throughout and there are composting toilets and an evaporation chamber for wastewater.

The facilities

One large public area, including the lounge and a dining section adjacent to the galley, runs almost the length of the building. Furnishings bring to mind a tasteful beach house. In the lounge roomy primary-coloured couches and an inviting chaise-longue (for seaside dozes) are grouped around a wood-burning stove. In the dining area, solid wood tables are joined together for communal breakfasts (Eggs Benedict done with style) and suppers (Tasmanian salmon accompanied by excellent Ninth Island wines) for up to 25 people. A separate library, complete with chest containing games and books, looks out to sea and shells, bones and other items foraged from the beach are scattered throughout this boutique hotel.

Don't come to the Bay Of Fires Lodge looking for velour sofas or an all-singing, all-dancing concierge. Come instead to breathe fresh Tasmanian air and to reconnect with what the planet must have been like before we stuffed it up. Come for the views of the turquoise waters of Bass strait collecting in vanilla-coloured bays, framed by ancient lichen-covered rocks, glinting red in the sun. Come to contemplate a night sky dusted with stars and the wispy Milky Way. Come to watch honeyeaters and kookaburras in the trees and to spot native Australian wildlife such as Forester kangaroos, pademelons (a small wallaby) and echidnas. Come above all, for a soothing rest from technology-filled urban life.

The rooms

Architecturally, the Bay of Fires Lodge is like a large wooden ship, with expansive front and rear decks, a central corridor (with the Bay of Fires Lodge's ten guestrooms and shower-blocks off it) splicing the horizon and folded sail-like rooves. Inside it is light and open.