The Winged House review: Dramatic stay on Tasmania's wild coast - where every room faces the sea

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The Winged House review: Dramatic stay on Tasmania's wild coast - where every room faces the sea

By Belinda Jackson
The Winged House, Tasmania: the breeze is brisk, the view is mind-boggling and addictive.

The Winged House, Tasmania: the breeze is brisk, the view is mind-boggling and addictive.Credit: Winged House Tasmania

THE PLACE

Designed by architect and artist Richard Goodwin, this stunning home is available to rent for one night, one week or longer if you wish. The Roaring Forties whip past, which means you're inhaling some of the freshest – and chilliest – air on the planet.

THE LOCATION

The Winged House is on the edge of Table Cape, a rocky bluff 15 minutes' drive from Wynyard, on Tasmania's wild north-west coast.

THE SPACE

Built in 2007, the two-bedroom house hovers over Bass Strait. One side of the dramatic building is floor-to-ceiling glass and every room faces the sea. The walls feature massive artworks and the lounge is dominated by the installation Vestibule for Violation, all by Goodwin. Watch the sun travel across the sky from a red leather recliner in the lounge or from the Japanese bathtub, where an ornate screen will shield you from the prying eyes of seabirds.

THE ROOMS

Both bedrooms have a bathroom, there's high-quality linen, a laundry and the kitchen is ready for a dinner party. If you're bunkering down for the night in front of the fire, you could go totally Tasmanian with Matthew Evans' cookbooks, Nicholas Shakespeare's In Tasmania or read about the man who named Table Cape in The Life of Matthew Flinders (or you could just stick Meet the Fockers in the DVD player).

THE FOOD

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The fridge is stocked with local produce: berries of all persuasions, yoghurts, milk and all the makings of excellent antipasto. We snacked on locally made pâté, South Cape triple-cream brie and quince paste while listening to Count Basie. In the cupboards you will find locally roasted coffee, clover and leatherwood honey and a fresh loaf of sourdough for breakfast. The tariff includes two bottles of local wine. The chilled 42 Degrees South sauvignon blanc we found complemented the sensational local scallops we bought at Wynyard's IGA supermarket.

STEPPING OUT

Mornings are special here: follow the steep path down to the beach or leap in the car to catch sunrise at the nearby Table Cape lighthouse, built in 1886. Visit Table Cape Tulip Farm, near the lighthouse, or plan morning coffee at Harvest and Cater cafe in nearby Boat Harbour. Makers Mark Workshop in Burnie is a must for its on-the-spot local artists, fascinating historical displays and great cafe. See discoverburnie.net. The Wing House is also a great base for Cradle Mountain, the Tarkine wilderness and pretty Stanley.

THE VERDICT

There's nothing between you and the Bass Strait so the view is mind-boggling and addictive. Stay two nights or more to experience the site's full gamut, from sun-up to sundown, and don't avoid winter. With a toasty log fire and great food you will be utterly content. .

ESSENTIALS

400 Tollymore Road, Table Cape, Tasmania. From $380 a night. See thewingedhouse.com.au; Spirit of Tasmania sails from Melbourne to Devonport, 45 minutes from Table Cape. See spiritoftasmania.com.au

HIGHLIGHT

The night we stayed, a super moon sent silvery paths over the strait, which I watched from my bed, then slept to the sound of the sea and the rush of waves on the beach below.

LOWLIGHT

The house is warmed by a modern log heater which was lit when we arrived. However, the bedroom doors were closed, so the beds' electric blankets and bathrooms' underfloor heating got a workout.

Belinda Jackson was a guest of Spirit of Tasmania and The Winged House.

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