GREATEST ESCAPES

Your own private isle is calling.

The private island Located between Tasmania and Bruny Island, Satellite Island is the ideal castaway retreat. The landscape is a mix of native bush, ancient blue gum trees, sea cliffs, pebble beaches and sunny coves. Owners Kate Alstergren, her husband Will and their three teenage sons split their time between here and Melbourne, renting the small island in its entirety to a maximum of eight guests. How did you end up with your very own island? We inherited it from Will’s Uncle Ian who fell in love with the place and bought it in the 1960s. He lived here on his own, built a simple home, farmed sheep, started a salmon farm, wrote poetry and painted. Did you have to make many changes? It was a working salmon farm, so there was a lot of machinery lying around. The work involved in transforming it into a welcoming retreat felt overwhelming, but we fell under the island’s spell. What about the interiors? I love simple Scandinavian aesthetics combined with a laidback Tasmanian beach vibe. We updated the original summer house, expanded the deck and took down the veranda roof to allow light in. New sleeping spaces have been added: a converted two-bedroom boathouse – falling asleep to the sound of water lapping against the jetty is magical – and a clifftop canvas bell tent. And colours? These echo the palette of outdoors – soft greys, blues, sun-bleached woods, with whitewashed floors and walls. Furnishings are relaxed: linen sheets, jute rugs, canvas sofas, lots of throws, island treasures, favourite antique furniture finds and a wood-burning stove. So can you switch off when you’re here? Yes! The quietness and gentle rhythm of the days make you instantly slow down and relax. We have a resident guest manager on call helping to set fires or teaching you to dive for abalone. The amazing view must help… Looking out over the beautiful blue-green water to the Hartz Mountains is the ultimate stressbuster. In winter it’s all about snow-capped peaks and in summer beautiful sailing boats. And when you’re feeling a bit more energetic? Visitors can paddleboard, kayak, snorkel and swim; picnic on the clifftops, catch supper and shuck oysters from the ancient rock shelf; watch the sunset and Southern Lights from Last Glimpse Point and the sunrise over Bruny Island… or just curl up by the fire. What does it cost? A two-night minimum stay for two people from around £1,320. Extra guests from around £180pp per night. satelliteisland.com.au