Button Grass Retreat: Eco Accommodation, Ida Bay, Tasmania
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Tasmania's Huon Valley: Lots to see and do.

The Huon Trail is the perfect touring route to take you around the area to  the south of Hobart. In just a 20-minute drive, you will find a world of extensive and serene waterways, wild coastlines, quiet farmlands, boutique vineyards, and rugged but accessible World Heritage wilderness. The Huon Trail leads you to ideal places for a relaxing holiday or short break, offering an inspiring mix of outdoor adventures, accommodation to suit all budgets, delicious food – especially cheeses, cherries, stone fruits, berries, meats and the freshest of seafood – top class cool-climate wines, a rich maritime, forest and rural heritage, and friendly, creative people.

There are four areas along The Huon Trail – the Huon Valley, the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, Bruny Island and the remote and wild Far South. Each of these areas offers unique experiences and attractions ranging from towering sea cliffs, dramatic mountain peaks, ancient forests, wondrous underground caves, pristine waterways, native flora and fauna and truly sensational landscapes.
 
So why not relax and escape to Tasmania's Huon Valley.

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Click to download a Huon Trail Touring Guide

Far South Tasmania

Far South Tasmania, where mountain and forests meet the Great Southern Ocean. Relax and unwind at your choice of quality accommodation in the region, choose from the many beautiful walks through pristine forests and exquisite beaches, Try your hand at fishing, sailing, boating, diving or stroll along the white, sandy beaches that epitomise Tasmania's Far South region.
The island’s natural features blend and weave their way with you on your journey to the Far South. The wild, rugged essence of mountains comes down from the west, a legacy of dramatic coastlines and alpine tarns, to turn at the southern tip, away from the bracing, yet alluring force of the great Southern Ocean - to the more sheltered calm of the Tasman Sea. 43 degrees of pure southern latitude! Quiet – Fresh – Beautiful.

More information is available www.huonvalleyescapes.net/far-south.html and
a downloadable Far South brochure from http://www.farsouthtasmania.com/documents/farsouthmap08.pdf
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Click to download a touring map
of far South Tasmania

Attractions in Far South Tasmania


Hastings Caves,
10 km north

A gravel road leads from the main road to the visitor centre and thermal springs. Be fascinated by one of the world's great dolomite caves. Experience forest walks, picnic facilities and café.
http://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/hastings-experience.html
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Hastings Thermal Springs, 8 km north

 the 28 degree naturally heated spring water swimming pool. Open every day.
Great rainy day adventure.

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More information about Hastings
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Map of Far South Tasmania

Click for a printable map

A day trip as far south as you can go

Cockle Creek and Recherche Bay

Explore the southernmost tip of Australia, a variety of bushwalks, bird
watching, picnics, fishing and boating.
20 km of gravel road
Travel time (one way) - 45 minutes
www.parks.tas.gov.au/factsheets/parks_and_places/Cockle.pdf
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Day Walks from your cabin and from a short drive nearby

Here on the edge of Tasmania's World Heritage Area, there are many walks, ranging from 1 hour to many days. We have selected a few of our favorites.

Downloadable Walks Guide Booklet

These sketch maps are provided free of charge as a guide only. They form no contract with Buttongrass Retreat or its operators or any other person. You should use a full topographic map for navigation. Tracks are either operating or abandoned four wheel drive tracks and suit most people of good fitness with strong shoes. Routes are in a mix of open grasslands, shrubby gullies and woodland and suit fit, experienced bushwalkers with good navigation skills.

bgr_walk_map_booklet_2.pdf
File Size: 1168 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Southport Lagoon

Southport Lagoon is accessible by a 50 minute walk from the end of the railway
line at Deep Hole.  The walk is over reasonable terrain and allows the  walker to enjoy the peace and serenity of Southport Lagoon.
Many walkers catch a train in to the Deep Hole and complete the walk to Southport
Lagoon.  Alternatively some walkers stay at the lagoon and catch the last train for the day from Deep Hole to return to the station. Return trips on the train need to be negotiated with the railway’s running timetable.

 

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The scenic water views are superb. There are marked bush walking tracks to
Southport Lagoon and Southport Bluff. Near Southport Bluff is the King George 
III monument which commemorates the 134 lives lost in the sinking of the convict
ship, King George III in 1835.

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Mystery Creek Cave

In development. Full text to follow soon
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Fishers Point (2 hours return) or
South Cape Bay (4-5 hours return)

In development. Full text to follow soon
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South Cape Bay: Southernmost beach in Australia

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Stand on the cliffs overlooking South Cape Bay and be the southernmost person in Australia

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Gemstones


Gemstone Fosicking,
10 km south

The Huon Valley offers wonderful easy access gemstone fossicking click through
here for details on local gemstone fossicking areas:
  • Coal Hill Fossicking Area
  • Lune River Fossicking Area
Travel time (one way) about 15 min, 10 km of gravel road

A printable guide to Fossicking in Tasmania is available here

Lunaris Gemstones, 1 km north

175 Lune River Road, Lune River.  e-mail: lunaris@tsn.cc  Ph: 03 6298 3182
Retailers in rare Jurassic fossils, crystals and gemstones.
The show-room has displays of locally found fossils and gemstones from the Lune River gemfields, including rare, petrified fern – fossil remnants of a Jurassic forest. Various coloured agates, jasper, petrified wood and onyx are found in the area. Minerals and crystals from Tasmania also feature and are for sale, alongside overseas and Australian specimens. 

Located between two Public Fossicking Areas, the owners can provide useful information for those who are keen to find their own gemstones. Admission is free, and Lunaris Gemstones is open most days 9am to 5pm. You will also find them in attendance at Hobart’s Salamanca Market on Saturdays.
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Bushwalks in Far South Tasmania

Adamsons Peak

Adamsons Falls

Duckhole Lake

Mystery Creek Cave

Southern Ranges

St Imre Vineyard, Dover, 23km north

St Imre Vineyard is a boutique winery located in Dover, the Far South region of
the Huon Valley, on the Huon Trail. We have 5 acres planted to Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris and the more hard to find varieties of
Ziegerrebe, Baco Noir and Gamay. Our blends of Possum Piss (white) and Tiger
Blood (red) becoming ever more popular. St Imre is offering wine, food, coffee, cakes and art/craft works
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Ida Bay Railway Cafe, next door

Southport Tavern, 10km north

Dover Town Shops, 21 km north

Wombats Takeaway (Dover Top Shop)
IGA Supermarket
Deli and corner store
and other shops including post office, pharmacy, petrol station, laundromat

Ida Bay Railway is closed indefinitely

From Lune River station travel through bush land abundant with bird life and wild flowers. Cross button grass plains and travel along the banks of Ida Bay and Lune River Estuary.
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​http://www.huonvalleyescapes.net/ida-bay-railway.html

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The railway line terminates at Deep Hole and Elliott's Beach where we have a shelter with BBQ facilities, picnic tables and chairs and toilets. Enjoy some time at the beach with a picnic or BBQ with family or friends and catch a later train back to the station. BBQ packs are available at the Ida Bay Railway Cafe.

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Buttongrass Retreat is operated by Huon Valley Escapes.
Phone from 9am to 7pm only (03) 6264 2233 and ask
to book Buttongrass Retreat

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