The Forest setting..
Blue Gum Lodge is set within 100 acres of
its own private forest and is completely surrounded by native
bush.
With a beautiful creek full of giant tree ferns, plenty of tracks
through the forest and even a waterfall, there's plenty to explore
right from the back door.
The native trees on the property are predominately Eucalyptus
with the
most common species being Blue Gum and Stringy Bark.
The Location..
Blue Gum Lodge is situated approx.
1hr 30min drive from Launceston airport (or approx. 2hrs 30min
from Hobart).
The closest towns are St Marys (10min) and St Helens (40 mins).
Although Tasmania has a reputation
for cold and rain, the reality is that here on the East Coast
the climate is quite beautiful, you can expect clear sunny days
around 20c on average (in summer around 25c and in winter around
15c).
However if the weather doesn't meet your expectations you can
retreat inside to the lounge where there is plenty of ready cut
wood supplied to keep the Tassie Barrell fireplace glowing.
Places to explore..
The East Coast is famous for the stunning
white beaches of the Bay of Fires and the calm aquamarine waters
of Wine Glass Bay.
For the energetic there is the climb up nearby St Patrick's Head
(National Parks maintained track 1.5hr return) which provides
a superb 360-degree view of the East Coast beaches and back along
the Esk valley towards Ben Lomond.
With the National Parks of Ben Lomond & Douglas Apsley a short
drive away, theres always somewhere different to explore.
If you don’t feel like venturing too
far from the safety of the deck you can simply enjoy the sights
and sounds of nature.
The wildlife..
Turn on the outside lights at night, sit
back on the deck and smile at the antics of the nocturnal Pademelons
(a type of small Kanagaroo), Bennett's Wallabys & Brush-tailed
Possums.
The wildlife around the Lodge is relatively
tame and the possums are bold and inquisitive and will eat fruit
from your hands.
Many of our guests have been truly enchanted
by the Australian native wildlife seen at such close range, a
unique Australian bush experience.
The bird life in summer is abundant,
drawn by the flowering grevillea's and at night the resident owls
are often close to the Lodge.
During the day wedge-tailed eagles can be seen rising up the gully
on morning thermals and soaring overhead on the Easterly winds.
As a break from watching the wildlife and from the deck at night
you can enjoy the magnificent view of the stars and Milky Way
uncluttered by light pollution.
Ideas for your stay..
If you require any assistance to plan your
holiday on the Tasmanian East Coast, Justin and Tracey are more
than happy to assist and between them they have a wealth of local
knowledge.
In the past they have helped couples
elope, supplied organic food hampers, provided champagne to accompany
romantic proposals, suggested enough activities to keep children
entertained and even found a local healing masseuse to work wonders
for guests at Blue Gum Lodge.
- Enjoying the wonderful local restaurants and cafes
- Exploring the mountain biking trails around the local hills
- Abalone diving in the hidden coves along the east coast
- Scuba diving
- Fishing
- Rock climbing on South Sister peak
Or further a field:
- Bicheno (30minutes drive south)
- Bay of Fires (45mins drive north)
- Freycinet Peninsula (1hour drive south)