Christmas at The Point, Tasmania
A quiet kind of magic on a windswept peninsula
There are places that don’t simply sit in the landscape — they listen to it. The Point, perched on its own fifty acres at the beginning of the South Arm Peninsula, is one of those rare homes that feels shaped by wind, water, and silence. It’s where we spent Christmas: three generations gathered at the edge of the world, wrapped in a beauty so gentle and unforced that time seemed to loosen its grip.
A House That Breathes With the Land
The approach is a long, grass‑lined driveway, flanked by still dams and the soft sway of Tasmanian grasses. By the time the house appears — low, sculptural, and quietly confident — you’ve already begun to exhale.
Designed by architect Stuart Tanner, The Point is a study in restraint. Concrete, glass, and timber come together in a way that feels both grounded and weightless. The building tucks itself into the hillside, its sheltered courtyard catching the sun while the wind moves freely overhead. Inside, the palette is warm and elemental: Tasmanian oak, custom joinery, handcrafted Japanese tiles, and a softness that comes from light rather than decoration.
The house sleeps six across three beautifully appointed suites, each with its own ensuite and private balcony. Mornings begin with sunlight pooling across the bed, the bay stretching out in quiet blues beyond the glass. Underfloor heating warms the bathrooms, and the air carries the faint scent of the sea.
We stayed with our son and my parents — a rare, precious gathering — and the house held us with ease, offering both closeness and space.
A Tasmanian Christmas, Reimagined
Christmas at The Point began long before we reached the peninsula. In the weeks leading up to our stay, we planned our meals with the same quiet anticipation as the trip itself — a menu shaped by Tasmanian producers and the promise of long, unhurried days. We pre‑ordered everything from Hill Street Grocer in North Hobart: fresh local seafood, vibrant summer produce, pastries for slow breakfasts, wines from nearby growers, and all the Christmas essentials — a beautiful ham, a turkey, and the trimmings that make the day feel abundant without being excessive.
After collecting the car at the airport, we swung past Hill Street to pick up our boxes — the kind of ritual that feels both practical and indulgent. By the time we arrived at The Point, the fridge was already filled with the flavours of the days ahead.
Christmas morning unfolded in that soft, Tasmanian way. The scent of the ham glazing drifted through the kitchen early, warm and sweet. Gifts were opened to the sound of waves rolling below the headland. Breakfast was simple and generous — fruit, pastries, coffee — eaten with the doors wide open to the sea breeze.
Lunch came together slowly, almost instinctively: oysters shucked outdoors, salads tossed at the long oak table, glasses of local riesling catching the midday light. The house filled with the aromas of summer and celebration — eucalyptus on the air, the warmth of the oven, the faint salt of the sea.
There was no rush, no noise, no expectation — just the quiet luxury of being exactly where we were, cooking together, grazing through the day, and letting the landscape set the pace.
Daily Rituals: Walks, Wallabies, and Wind‑Drawn Grass
Each day began with a walk along the coastline, the track starting at the edge of the property and curling around the headland. Wallabies appeared like gentle neighbours, unhurried and curious. Above us, sea eagles circled, dipping low through the long, sand‑coloured grasses before retreating to the silver gums that stand like sculptures against the sky.
The landscape here is raw and open — shaped by generations of farming, softened by wind, and illuminated by a light that changes with every hour. Sunshine sharpens the blues; cloud turns everything to watercolour.
It’s a place that feels alive, responsive, almost conversational.
Spaces That Hold You Close
Afternoons drifted between reading, wandering, and simply watching the bay breathe. The house offers places to gather and places to retreat:
a high‑sitting firepit overlooking the water, perfect for oysters and an afternoon drink
a bluestone courtyard fireplace for sheltered evenings
a double‑sided gas fire warming the main living space
a kitchen made for slow cooking and long conversations
As dusk settled, the house glowed from within like a lantern. We wrapped ourselves in blankets, listened to the wind soften, and watched the sky slip into lavender.
Explore the Area
Slow days, coastal paths, and the charm of southern Tasmania
South Arm Peninsula
Though it feels wonderfully remote, The Point is only 20 minutes from Hobart. The peninsula stretches along the eastern side of the River Derwent — a slender ribbon of land with surf breaks, quiet beaches, and views that seem to turn in every direction at once.
From the property, the Coastal Track leads south to Cremorne’s calm waters or north to the small, secluded curve of Mays Beach. When the swell aligns, the surf break directly below the house becomes a spectacle — best watched with coffee in hand from the balcony.
Lauderdale, just five minutes away, has everything you need: small supermarkets, a bottle shop, fresh produce, and excellent coffee at Ventura Café.
A Morning in Richmond
One of our favourite outings was a slow, golden‑lit morning in Richmond, a village that feels suspended in time — all sandstone cottages, leafy streets, and the soft hum of country life. It’s the kind of place where you wander without intention and somehow find everything you didn’t know you needed.
We began with lunch at Larder & Vin, a tiny, charming spot where the menu reads like a love letter to Tasmanian produce. Beautiful, uncomplicated plates — seasonal salads, local cheeses, house‑made pastries — the sort of food that tastes like it was gathered that morning. We tucked a few things away to take home: jars, condiments, and small treasures that would become part of our meals back at The Point.
The boys insisted on a stop at the famous Richmond bakery, where the pies are legendary. There’s always a queue — a cheerful line of locals and travellers — but it moves quickly, and the reward is worth it. Flaky pastry, rich fillings, the kind of pie that disappears in minutes.
If you love a classic counter lunch, the Richmond Pub is a local favourite. It books out quickly — especially on sunny days — and the outdoor area is now a beautiful spot to sit with a cold drink and watch the village drift by.
From there, we wandered through the village, drifting in and out of vintage stores filled with old books, enamelware, linens, and pieces with stories etched into them. Richmond is generous like that — it offers up small discoveries at every turn.
I always make time for Richmond Botanicals Co., a ritual I look forward to every visit. Their candles are a sensory map of Tasmania — Rugged Tasmanian Coastline, Untamed Tasmanian Wilderness, Huon Pine, Tasmanian Campfire. Scents that carry me back long after I’ve returned to Brisbane. I stocked up, as I always do, knowing each candle would become a small portal home.
We crossed the iconic sandstone bridge, watched the ducks drift lazily below, and lingered in the soft morning light. Richmond invites you to slow down without even trying — a village that feels both familiar and quietly extraordinary.
An Afternoon at Pooley Wines
From The Point, it’s a short drive to Pooley Wines, where the afternoon unfolds in that perfect Tasmanian way — slowly, generously, with a glass in hand. We sat in the courtyard overlooking the vines, sharing wood‑fired pizzas, bright salads, local cheeses, and glasses of crisp Riesling and elegant Pinot. It’s the kind of place where lunch becomes a long, sun‑drenched pause.
The Magic of Late December: Sydney to Hobart Arrivals
Late December brings its own kind of electricity to southern Tasmania. The days are long and bright, the air warm with possibility, and Hobart hums with anticipation as the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race draws to its dramatic close.
While The Point offers a world of quiet and calm, the city — just twenty minutes away — becomes a celebration in motion. Head into Hobart and the atmosphere shifts instantly: the docks alive with crowds, cameras, and the unmistakable buzz of summer. Constitution Dock fills with families, sailors, and onlookers leaning over the railings, waiting for the first yachts to glide in after their journey down the coast.
There’s something mesmerising about standing at the water’s edge as the boats arrive — sails lowered, crews sun‑touched and exhausted, the soft clatter of rigging carrying across the harbour. You can get astonishingly close, close enough to feel the energy of the race still humming through the decks.
The waterfront becomes a festival of its own:
live music drifting across the marina
the scent of seafood and summer air
cold drinks in hand as the afternoon light softens
children perched on shoulders for a better view
the gentle chaos of celebration
It’s a moment where Hobart feels both intimate and electric — a small city with a big, beating heart.
For us, it became part of the rhythm of the week. Mornings spent in the quiet beauty of The Point, afternoons wandering the docks, soaking up the energy, and returning home to the stillness of the peninsula. The perfect balance of serenity and celebration.
Late December in Tasmania has its own unmistakable magic — the light, the water, the yachts, the sense of arrival — all folding beautifully into the experience of staying at The Point.
Where Time Slows, and Connection Deepens
Perhaps the greatest gift of The Point is the way it draws you closer — to nature, to each other, to yourself. There’s a softness to the days here, a sense of spaciousness that lingers long after you leave.
Christmas at The Point wasn’t grand or elaborate. It was better — a celebration of slowness, beauty, and the quiet luxury of being exactly where you are.
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