When you have to wait for a mother chicken and her fluffy chicks to get out of your way before you enter reception you know you are staying somewhere a little different.
Iron Creek Bay Estate is a hotel, a dining establishment, a vineyard, a function centre, wedding venue and a farm stay all rolled into one.
You'll find it overlooking the water just outside Sorrell. down the road from Hobart Airport on the route to Port Arthur and the Tasman Peninsula.
Talented chef Jesse Allardyce has built up quite a following for his seasonal, produce-driven cooking at the on-site Orana restaurant (above), which is becoming a popular weekend destination for Hobartians.
He showcases local produce including Boomer Bay oysters, Marion Bay Poultry and Tongola Goat Cheese, as well as using fruit and vegetables from the property's gardens and orchards. Think cherries, apricots, plums, figs, apples and pears.
I tried calamari in pork and kombu broth with lardo and sesame oil; kingfish with buttermilk, snow pea and dill (both delicious), and a pear and chocolate creation that was deliciously decadent.
Pair your meal with a glass of wine made from riesling or pinot noir grapes grown on the estate - the wines are made by Jeremy Dineen from Haddow and Dineen, previously chief winemaker at Josef Chromy.
Breakfast is pretty basic, and, I suspect, a work in progress.
There are several accommodation options - from colourful pavilions to to pods - offering free wifi, Smart TVs, Orana bathroom amenities, air conditioning and energy saving lighting.
On-site facilities include a gym, laundry and lounge
Kids, particularly urban kids, will enjoy getting up close to chickens, ducks, peacocks, ponies, alpacas, sheep, rabbits and horses.
Buckets of pellets are available at the reception for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in the Tasmanian rural experience and feed the critters.
Wildlife also abounds with echidnas, wallabies, pademelons all residents of the estate. There are 5km of pathways suitable for a stroll, or a trail run.
The original estate on the site dates back to 1834 and is now owned by the Tao family, who live on site.
You are just 10 minutes from Hobart Airport and a short drive from the town of Sorell. The Tasman Peninsula, wineries including Bream Creek and Bangor and historic Port Arthur are close by.
A great venue for anything from business meetings to a family getaway.
Iron Creek Bay Estate, 394 Arthur Highway, Sorell 7172. (03) 6292 5030. www.ironcreekbay.com.au
* The writer was hosted by Iron Creek Bay Estate
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