Black Bluff View Retreat

Check in: anytime after 4PM | Check out: before 10AM

This house is in the middle of 40 hectares of mostly native vegetation. As you will see, wildlife is plentiful. The property is owned by Paul (Basil) and Angela OHalloran who purchased this house in September 1984 and raised two children, Thomas and Claire. Paul and Angela moved to Turners Beach, 15 minutes away, in 2018.

Black Bluff View Retreat is the accommodation hub for a business called Rare Earth Tasmania, which offers accommodation packages and nature-based tours. A day tour for up to four people including transport and the services of a guide, is available as an option exclusive to guests at Black Bluff View Retreat.

Basil can be contacted at any time on 0409 658 973 or info@rareearthtasmania.com.au.

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Directions

Travelling west from Devonport or east from Burnie, take the bypass around Ulverstone and then follow the signs south to Gunns Plains (B14). When you reach the small township of North Motton after about 10 minutes, travel 1.6km past the fire station and turn right in to Harveys Road. If you reach the turn to Gunns Plains you have gone too far. Travel 1.8km along Harveys Road and at bottom of a forested hill there is a sign saying Black Bluff View Retreat and the number 180. Drive down this lane to a gate which leads into the parking area.

Entry

Guests are sent a code for the eastern door.

There are just a few house rules:

  • Please keep all the gates shut at night and when you are not at the property. This keeps the wallabies out which seem to love anything growing inside the main fence.
  • The house is non-smoking
  • Shoes and boots off inside
  • Maximum of six people
  • No pets unless discussed with the owner before you arrive

Please note that the wild (male) birds love to attack themselves on the windows, explaining why they are difficult to keep clean, especially during the mating season.

Facilities

You have a full range of facilities for use during your stay. There is an audiophile quality sound system for watching tv, movies or listening to music (see directions for use in the Black Bluff View Retreat folder). There is a terrific BBQ area with spectacular views and outdoor furniture.

Spare towels can be found in the cupboard at the top of the stairs and spare blankets in the window box in the main bedroom. There are also floor mattresses under a couple of the beds. A highchair can be found in the office. Sleeping bags are available if required. A portacot is also available on request.

The office is available for your use and feel free to use the printer. If connected to the house wifi you should be able to print.

Free wifi is available. Please note that this is satellite wifi and data is limited. The mobile Telstra signal is strong. The TV also relies on a satellite signal. There are lots of movie DVDs and music CDs available, and movies stored on the Topfield and Humax set-top boxes. You can chromecast from your devices to the TV if connected to the house wifi.

There are group and family friendly table games, cards and puzzles for all ages, as well as a selection of books for both adults and children.

Walks

  • Walk up the hill to the eastern edge of the property and just as you leave the trees walk right to the south. Follow this easy path through the bush until you come to a clearing (and end) and then return. Approximately 60 minutes return.
  • The road to the west of BBVR is a private road and not available for walking or exploring.
  • There are many other walks – go exploring.

Places to Visit

There are so many within 90 minutes drive.

  • Preston Falls – 10 minutes south on Preston Road then right onto Raymond Rd. Alternatively drive into Gunns Plains and turn left into Raymond Road.
  • Leven Canyon – a must visit 30 minutes south on Preston Road. Great short walks and spectacular lookouts over the Leven River Canyon. Enjoy a wholesome morning or afternoon tea at Kaydale Lodge along the way.
  • Gunns Plains Caves – 15 minutes. Drive down to Gunns Plains and follow the Leven River. Check website for tour times, currently 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm. Ph: (03) 6429 1388.
  • Wings Wildlife Park – 15 minutes to the south. Follow road to Gunns Plains and signs.
  • Cradle Mountain – world acclaimed with spectacular scenery. 80 minutes from Black Bluff View Retreat.
  • Dial Range – lots of walks and most 1-4 hours. Mt Duncan, Mt Montgomery and the Gnomen are favourites.
  • Tarkine rainforests – 80 minutes to the west. Talk to your host about best access points to rarely visited, world class rainforest and waterfalls.
  • Fossil Bluff at Wynyard and Rocky Cape National Park (Sisters Beach end) are world class. Talk to Basil about information and interpretation sheets if interested.
  • Beaches at Turners Beach, Ulverstone and Penguin.
  • Historic villages including Stanley.
  • Several mountain bike trails including Wild Mersey and the Dial Range at Penguin.
  • Kayak/raft the Leven River from Gunns Plains Bridge to several exit places. Talk to Basil about options and safe river levels. This is a fantastic grade 1–3 river.
  • Golf, sailing, squash, tennis and bowls available. Basil is a member of the sailing and golf clubs.
  • And so much more – talk to your host.

Drinking and Dining

There are many excellent coffee shops in Penguin, Ulverstone and Turners Beach including La Mar and The Berry Patch in Turners Beach (15 minutes), the Beach Hut in Ulverstone and the Letterbox and Bakery in Penguin (plus others).

There are several restaurants in Ulverstone including Asian and Indian cuisine and affordable and filling counter meals at local pubs. There are several good restaurants in Devonport.

For Kids

Lots of playgrounds in Ulverstone and Turners Beach. Anzac Park is good by the roundabout before the main bridge. The one near the football ground opposite the Beach Hut and Water Slide is great. There is another at the Turners Beach Football Ground. The Berry patch at Turners Beach has a play area form kids as does La Mar at Turners Beach. There is an exceptional (new) playground at East Wynyard) There are bikes to hire at the Beach Hut. The miniature railway at Mascells Road, Turners Beach operates the first and third Sundays of the month.

There is a great (new) bike and skate park opposite the surf club in Ulverstone.

The shared pathway (walking/cycling) currently runs from West Ulverstone near the tennis courts all the way to Leith and is about to be extended at both ends. This section takes 45-60 minutes and is all off road.

Our kids used to enjoy a trip to Goat Island (accessible only at lowish tide) to play pirates. It is quite a short walk to the island from the car park. Take Old Coast Road (Penguin Road) and find the car park opposite the Blue Wren Tea Rooms.

The caves and wildlife park at Gunns Plains are other options as well as many terrific safe beaches. The main beach at Ulverstone opposite the surf club is patrolled on weekends in the summer.

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Start Your Journey

Take a step toward an amazing adventure you will unlikely forget and visit the last remaining wilderness areas in the world, a place where you will be bewildered in the wilderness.