Tasmania’s latest luxury escape is a hidden island retreat

By Rachael Thompson
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Unwind in luxury and connect with nature at the newly opened Kittawa Retreat.

Situated approximately halfway between Tasmania and the Australian mainland, King Island is home to some of the cleanest air in the world, rugged coastlines and exceptional food. The standout accommodation on the island is the award-winning Kittawa Lodge, an architecturally designed eco retreat with breathtaking ocean views. The good news? They’ve just unveiled a new two-bedroom retreat that is just as stunning.

Aerial view of Kittawa Retreat

Kittawa Retreat sits on the rugged coastline of King Island.

Kittawa Retreat is nestled in a secluded valley within the coastal dunes. Comprising one two-bedroom retreat, it has been thoughtfully crafted for shared getaways, offering ample space and privacy for two couples, couples who want extra space, friends or families. 

The retreat is designed to maximise natural light and enhance the connection to the outdoors with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room that frame breathtaking coastal vistas.

The dark living area at Kittawa Retreat.

Each room boasts panoramic ocean views.

The retreat features two king-sized beds, a fully equipped kitchen with a Nespresso coffee machine, an open plan lounge and dining area and a cellar room, stocked with premium local wines, spirits, cocktails, beers and ciders.

Rich, dark interiors and French-designed wood-burning fireplaces create a cosy atmosphere, while colourful local artwork adds character and a sense of place.

Attention to detail is second to none. From picnic rugs, hampers and thermoses, to warm jackets, gumboots and binoculars, the retreat is thoughtfully equipped with everything you need to enjoy the island fully. For those keen to unwind with some mindful movement, a yoga mat is thoughtfully provided.

The dark bedroom with a colourful artwork at Kittawa Retreat.

Local art provides a sense of place.

But the pièce de résistance? A cedar hot tub filled with pure, local natural spring water and mood lighting that offers sweeping views of the ocean, native wildlife – including the island’s friendly wallabies – and the pristine surrounding landscape — the perfect place to unwind with a glass of Tasmanian wine as the sun sets or to enjoy optimal stargazing opportunities. For those seeking more privacy, the retreat also features a luxurious concrete bath, ideal for a tranquil soak indoors.

A woman sitting in an outdoor bath looking at a wallaby and the ocean.

Spot resident wallabies while you soak in the tub.

Kittawa Retreat offers guests an unparalleled escape to connect with nature and relax in luxury. Stop reading and go experience it for yourself.

Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and gin connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, along with an English major from The University of Sydney, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
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    Two new luxury retreats have opened in Cradle Mountain National Park. Here’s what we know so far.

    Forget overwater bungalows in the Maldives. Tasmania’s idiosyncratic Pumphouse Point hovering over Lake St Clair is the luxury accommodation of dreams. Originally constructed in the 1940s as part of Tasmania’s Hydroelectric Scheme, the site was transformed into a boutique hotel in the 90s and remains the final word in wilderness luxury today. Now, Pumphouse Point has welcomed two new retreats nestled amid the myrtle forests of the UNESCO-listed surroundings.

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    Pumphouse Point sits on Lake St Clair at the southern end of Cradle Mountain National Park. (Image: Adam Gibson)

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    Room rates include breakfasts and dinners in the Shorehouse restaurant. (Image: Adam Gibson)

    If you’ve ever tried to book accommodation in Cradle Mountain National Park, you’ll know the options are extremely limited. This is a deliberate decision to preserve the natural environment. The retreats, on the lesser-visited end of the National Park, offer the chance to enjoy the wilderness in total comfort.

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    Pumphouse Point gains two new luxury retreats (Image: Adam Gibson).