Cheap cottage stay canned
A HERITAGE-listed cottage in Freycinet National Park is no longer available as cheap public holiday accommodation because it has fallen into disrepair, the Parks and Wildlife Service says.
This week, a disappointed Tasmanian wrote to the PWS asking why the former Coles Bay Youth Hostel was no longer available.
Jo Castillo, from Rosny, said the hostel had provided an affordable accommodation option to local families often priced out of the popular area.
“We rang the YHA to book a family holiday there but were told by an employee that their lease hasn’t been renewed by Parks,” the letter said.
“I know the issue long-drop toilet, but with the ingenuity of is the surely, Parks, you can come up with a solution — dig a new one, pump it out or install a composting toilet.
“It’s humble, basic accommodation — what we can afford. We are not in the Saffire or even the Freycinet Lodge market but we are Tasmanians and would hate to see this small part of our heritage turned into a luxury tourist hideaway and lost to ordinary people.”
A PWS spokesman said the heritage cottage was on re
FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2020 served land at the “Fisheries” area of the Freycinet National Park. “It has not operated as a youth hostel for some time,” he said.
“The licensee agreed to vacate the site after it was determined that the cottage was no longer fit for visitor use.
“It is no longer compliant with building, electrical and plumbing regulations and the building is not viable to return to a condition for accommodation.”
The PWS will now secure the site to make it safe and manage the cottage in accordance with the heritage listing.
“There are a number of other low-budget accommodation options in Coles Bay area, including camping at the national park campgrounds and at commercial caravan and camping parks,” PWS said.