The new retreat pairs waterfront views, luxury accommodation and the latest Tasmanian pinot noir.
Tucked on Tasmania’s east coast, Freycinet is the epitome of wild natural beauty. While it draws thousands of visitors each year, many are restricted to day trips due to the region’s limited accommodation options. But that’s all about to change with the opening of Wineglass Bay Estate in 2026 – and it’s more than just a place to rest your head.
The setting
Beginning at Coles Bay, the Freycinet Peninsula divides the Tasman Sea and Great Oyster Bay. Home to Freycinet National Park, it’s a natural playground for outdoor adventurers, known for its plethora of beaches and coves, hiking trails, scenic lookouts and pink granite peaks.
The Freycinet Peninsula divides the Tasman Sea and Great Oyster Bay. (Image: Luke Tscharke)
With so much natural beauty, there’s limited space for accommodation. While two of Tasmania’s most unique stays call it home, it doesn’t quite cater to the huge number of visitors keen to explore the region. But now, Wineglass Bay Estate is adding to this exclusive shortlist.
Unlike Saffire Freycinet and Freycinet Lodge, Wineglass Bay Estate isn’t necessarily by the sea – but that doesn’t mean you miss out on waterfront views. The new retreat is perched on Moulting Lagoon, a vast wetland home to a remarkable mix of plant and animal species.
The new Wineglass Bay Estate overlooks Ramsar-listed Moulting Lagoon.
It’s an ecosystem so rare and fragile that it’s protected as a Ramsar site, recognised internationally for its environmental significance. Wineglass Bay Estate is the only place to stay on this extraordinary wetland, offering guests a whole new perspective of Freycinet.
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The accommodation
Wineglass Bay Estate is still under construction, so many of the details remain under wraps for now. What is clear is its focus on luxury, comfort and quiet indulgence, which guests can experience once doors open in June 2026. Upon completion, the retreats will be perfectly poised for uninterrupted views of the water, enjoyed with a local glass of wine from the spacious deck.
Earthen tones meet curved edges and timber textures.
Your king-size bed will be complete with soft linens.
Each luxury lodge will be filled with natural light.
Inside, each light-filled lodge will feature a king-size bed complete with soft linens, a modern en suite bathroom, plush lounge, small kitchenette and curated minibar. The colour palette will reflect the surrounding landscape, with earthen tones like terracotta and oatmeal complemented by curved edges, timber textures and contemporary furnishings.
Set on 21 hectares, Wineglass Bay Estate serves as a quiet window into the surrounding ecosystem. Wombats, echidnas and wallabies roam the land, while the lagoon hosts everything from white-bellied sea eagles to flocks of waterfowl. It’s also a major sanctuary for black swans – up to 8000 call this place home, roughly 80 per cent of Tasmania’s breeding population.
The vineyard
The luxury lodges at Wineglass Bay Estate aren’t the only things under construction, though. Rows of young vines are also being planted across the property right now, laying the groundwork for an intimate cellar door experience to open in July 2026.
Kitty’s Mistake will join other local wineries like Devil’s Corner. (Image: Getty/Andrey Chernev)
Kitty’s Mistake Vineyard will open in July 2026, shortly after the retreat itself. Set among the estate within walking distance of the lodges, it will join a small but impressive group of Freycinet wineries, including the award-winning Devil’s Corner.
Harnessing the region’s fertile soil and coastal winds, the team will be adding an all-new pinot noir to Tasmania’s incredible collection of cool-climate wines. The robust red only marks the beginning, with many more delicious drops planned to join the wine list.
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Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
Overlooking the winding Tamar River, the Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is where two of Tasmania’s most acclaimed wine labels come together. Sip award-winning cool-climate wines and world-class sparkling while soaking up the vineyard views in one spectacular setting.
The fire crackles softly as you settle into a comfortable armchair, a glass of Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir warming your hands. Outside, rows of vines stretch across the Tamar Valley, their gentle contours framed by rolling hills and ever-changing skies. Or perhaps it’s a sunlit afternoon, and you’re on the terrace with a flute of PIRIE Vintage sparkling in hand, watching the valley shimmer beneath you as each crisp sip captures the freshness of Tasmania. At the Tamar Ridge and PIRIE Cellar Door, the setting in one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions is every bit as special as the wines.
The two brands now share a beautifully refurbished cellar door, giving visitors the opportunity to sample both still and sparkling wines from the Brown Family Wine Group’s luxury portfolio in a single stop. Alongside the shared tasting space, they’ve also introduced a range of premium experiences tailored to each brand.
Tamar Ridge’s story began in 1994, when vines were planted at Kayena in Tasmania’s Upper Tamar Valley. Guided by renowned viticulturist Dr Richard Smart – the “Flying Vine Doctor” – the vineyard quickly gained a reputation for quality, with a new winery established in 1998 and the Tamar Ridge label born.
Sit outside to soak in the sun as you enjoy Tamar Valley views. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Today, New Zealand-born head winemaker Tom Wallace leads the cellar, brings his passion for cool-climate winemaking to help shape Tamar Ridge’s reputation for elegant, expressive wines.
Founded by Dr Andrew Pirie in 1995, PIRIE helped prove the island’s potential for world-class cool-climate sparkling.
Crafted in the traditional method from hand-picked Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Valley, PIRIE Tasmania sparkling wines are celebrated for their fine beads, depth and elegance. With a collection of trophies, gold medals and top honours behind them, these rare vintages showcase the very best of the state’s sparkling wine.
Brown Brothers – now known as the Brown Family Wine Group – acquired Tamar Ridge, PIRIE and Devil’s Corner on the island’s east coast in 2010, extending the legacy of a family wine company founded in 1889 at Milawa in Victoria’s King Valley. The company has continued its pursuit of exceptional cool-climate vineyards, recognising Tasmania’s unique potential in a changing climate.
Location
Get cosy by the roaring fireplace. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Tamar Ridge & PIRIE Cellar Door is set on the west bank of the Tamar River, just 20 minutes north of Launceston and around two and a half hours’ drive from Hobart near the riverside village of Rosevears in northern Tasmania. Stretching more than 60 kilometres along the river, from the mouth near Launceston north towards Bass Strait, the Valley is a vast patchwork of vineyards, orchards, farmland and historic townships.
Style & decor
Come for a regular tasting, or book an experience. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase panoramic views, while outdoor decks make the most of the surrounding scenery. Inside, the refined contemporary interiors strike a balance between modern luxury and the natural surrounds, with a double-sided fireplace to linger by. A Tamar River view creates a warm focal point. Natural wood accents add a sense of place, including a handcrafted 12-seat Tasmanian oak table that anchors the space with understated elegance.
Wine experiences
The cellar door’s curated wine experiences pair award-winning wines with local produce and the stories behind them. For those who prefer a leisurely visit without a set itinerary, the cellar door also offers cheese platters and small plates, best enjoyed with a glass in hand while taking in those Tamar River views.
Come for a taste, stay for an experience.
PIRIE & Oyster Experience
Taste the best of PIRIE matched with oysters. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
A true taste of Tasmania comes to life in the PIRIE & Oyster Experience, created in partnership with Tasmanian Oyster Co. Exploring the connection between merroir and terroir – the influence of the sea and soil on flavour – this guided tasting pairs three premium oysters from different Tasmanian growing regions with three expressions of PIRIE sparkling wine: the NV, 2021 Vintage and Blanc de Blanc.
As each oyster and wine pairing is revealed, guests discover how Tasmania’s unique landscapes shape flavour, from the mineral freshness of the ocean to the elegance and precision of cool-climate sparkling wine.
Pinot Noir Blending Experience
Try your own hand at mixing. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
For those who want to step behind the winemaker’s bench, the Pinot Noir Blending Experience offers a hands-on journey into the art of creating great wine.
Guests taste through three to four individual Pinot Noir clones from the previous vintage, each revealing its own personality through aroma, structure and character. Guided by the cellar door team, visitors explore how these individual components come together to create balance and complexity – before attempting their own blend.
Will you recreate the house style, or create something entirely original? This immersive experience offers a fascinating insight into the craft, creativity and precision that goes into every bottle.
Supreme Indulgence
Settle in for true indulgene. (Credit: Natasha Mulhall)
The most elevated experience at the cellar door, the Supreme Indulgence (PIRIE Sparkling with Caviar tasting) is a celebration of luxury, refinement and Tasmania’s exceptional produce.
Priced at $99 per person, the tasting pairs PIRIE Tasmania’s most distinguished sparkling wines with carefully selected sturgeon caviar, chosen to enhance the elegance, texture and finesse of each cuvée. Hosted by an expert member of the team, the experience unfolds as a thoughtful exploration of fine bubbles, delicate flavours and the craftsmanship behind every bottle.
