Could this be Tasmania's best kept secret?

As an avid reader of Country Style magazine, I’ve seen my fair share of beautiful country homes. The kind with gorgeous gardens, curated spaces, thoughtfully collected antiques, beautiful linens, , stunning light fixtures and all those little details that make a house feel like a work of art. You can just tell so much thought, care and love went into the planning of this tasteful renovation.

This is honestly THE most beautifully styled houses I’ve ever stayed in. From the moment we arrived, it felt like every little detail had been thought about, right down to the freshly baked sourdough loaf Mel had made for us, still warm in the oven when we arrived.

We had planned to explore more of Stanley during our stay, but I’ll admit we actually didn’t get out and about at ALL. Simply because we had everything we needed right where we were. It was a great opportunity to disconnect and take in that beautiful sea air and when your accommodation is this lovely, why would you want to leave?

A little piece of Tasmanian history

Borradale is a beautifully restored Edwardian homestead nestled on a 163 acre working beef property in the Green Hills of Stanley, on Tasmania’s north west coast.

The house we see today was built in the 1920s, expanding on an earlier two room cottage dating back to the 1800s. The property has a long history, with the land originally inhabited by the First Nations Peerakka people before becoming part of the Van Diemen’s Land Company holdings in 1825.

The Borradale family farmed the property as tenants, before the Trethewie family became its first freehold owners in 1916. They held the property until 2009, and in 2016 Craig and Melinda purchased it, beginning a new chapter in its story.

The Dwyer family began a major restoration of the homestead in 2020, with the project completed in May 2024. Over the years, they have worked to preserve the property’s history while creating a beautiful place for guests to experience life on a working Tasmanian farm.

And what a job they’ve done.

I love seeing old homes given a new lease on life, especially when the renovation doesn’t erase all the things that give them character. Borradale is a house with a story and you can see remnants of that story in the pieces of the houses history from the old family portraits of the properties previous owners adoring the halls (my favourite picture is of a tabby cat lounging on the verandah), to the jar of collected pieces of pottery found whilst digging their garden, in a jar on the shelves in one of the bedrooms .

Those touches give you a glimpse into the property’s past and reminds you that this isn’t simply a beautiful house. It’s somewhere people have lived, worked and made memories for generations.

You can find more about the property’s history on the official Borradale Stanley website.

A house straight out of Country Style

I could honestly spend an entire blog post talking about the interiors alone.

Every room has its own character, with beautiful furnishings, artwork, interesting vintage pieces and those little touches that give Borradale its homey touch. It’s the sort of house where you keep noticing something new, whether it’s a gorgeous piece of art, an antique platter or a small decorative detail that ties everything together.

Gardens, fresh produce and country living

Outside, the gardens are just as beautiful as the house itself.

There are lovely places to sit and enjoy the views, and a kitchen garden where guests can pick fresh seasonal produce to use in their meals. I love the idea of being able to wander outside, gather a few herbs or vegetables and bring them back into the kitchen.

It’s the sort of country living I dream about, especially as someone who loves gardening and the idea of growing more of our own food.

The property is also a working beef farm, raising Cape Grim beef, with rolling farmland stretching towards the coast. Mel was also kind enough to take us on a tour of the property, past the cattle and down towards the private beach access. We had the whole beach to ourselves, and while we were out there, we discovered that one of the cows had given birth to a beautiful little calf on the very day we arrived! As people who loves animals, that was such a special sight to see, mother and her newborn calf . It’s one of the perks of staying somewhere that is a genuine working farm.

A freshly baked welcome

I have to mention the sourdough because, honestly, what a way to arrive!

Mel had freshly baked a loaf for us, and it was still warm when we got there. There’s something about arriving somewhere and finding those little personal touches that immediately makes you feel welcome.

The kitchen was beautifully equipped, and the larder was well stocked with everything we needed to put together a meal during our stay. Between the pantry supplies, the fresh bread and the option to harvest produce from the garden, we were perfectly happy cooking for ourselves.

There’s also a selection of Tasmanian produce available to purchase, including local cheeses, charcuterie, Cape Grim beef and Tasmanian drinks. It’s a lovely way to make the most of the region’s produce without having to head out to find dinner.

And then there was the coffee machine, complete with a milk frother. We took full advantage of that little luxury, making coffees throughout our stay. There’s something about a proper coffee in a beautiful country kitchen that makes a holiday morning feel extra special.

We were certainly not short of things to eat or drink, and the fact that everything was already thought of meant we could spend more time enjoying the house.

Plenty to do

If you like to get up and greet the sun, the balcony is an excellent place to watch the sun rise over 'The Nut' and if you're wanting to start the day with some gentle stretching vinyassa on the lawn with the provided yoga mats is a great way to start your day.

There were books and magazines to flick through, binoculars for watching the birds and art supplies for guests to use. I haven’t experienced that combination in many other accommodation stays, and I thought it was such a thoughtful addition.

I spent some time painting a watercolour of the view, which was a lovely way to spend part of the afternoon. Having the supplies there meant I could simply sit down and create something without needing to bring everything with me. It’s also a wonderful way to encourage guests to engage with their surroundings.

The house also has free, unlimited WiFi, although we barely needed it. With all the books, magazines, views and things to do, we had plenty to keep us occupied without reaching for our phones.

Fireside evenings and starry skies

One of my favourite things about Borradale was how many different ways there were to enjoy the house, depending on your mood, level of energy and what you're into.

There’s a lovely fire pit outside, with plenty of firewood provided and a basket of blankets waiting by the door. There were even forks for roasting marshmallows, which is exactly the sort of thing that makes an evening around the fire even better. We loved that we didn’t have to organise or bring anything ourselves.

Inside, there’s a cosy living area with a gas fireplace, a television, board games and puzzles. You could easily spend an evening watching a film, working on a puzzle or sitting by the fire with a book.

I also loved the opportunity to sit outside and watch the stars at night. Being out on the farm, away from the busier parts of town, gives you a wonderful view of the night sky.

And if you enjoy a bath as much as I do, the clawfoot bathtub is an absolute treat. It’s positioned perfectly for a long soak with STUNNING view and I found it was a lovely spot to enjoy the night sky.

The little luxuries

Of course, a beautiful house is one thing, but it’s the practical details that make a stay genuinely comfortable.

Borradale had washing and drying facilities, which are always appreciated when you’re travelling for more than a night or two. The beds were dressed in beautiful linens, and the bedding was wonderfully comfortable.

The bathrooms were just as lovely, with gorgeous bath and body products provided for guests.

I particularly loved the Dindi Naturals bubble bath. It smelled absolutely divine, and having a long soak with something that lovely was one of those little holiday indulgences you remember.

The shampoo, conditioner and body wash were equally gorgeous and scrumptious smelling.

It’s these details that make the difference between a house that looks beautiful in photographs and one that actually feels wonderful to stay in. Everything from the linens to the toiletries felt carefully chosen, and nothing seemed like an afterthought.

A swing with a view of The Nut

One of the loveliest spots outside was the swing overlooking The Nut, Stanley’s iconic flat topped volcanic formation. It’s such a beautiful setting, with the landscape stretching out around you and The Nut rising above the historic town in the distance. I can imagine spending a fair bit of time there with a coffee, a book or a camera, especially if you’re visiting on a clear day.

And while we didn’t explore  Stanley as we’d originally planned, having a view like that right at your accommodation makes it very easy to understand why people come here to unwind.

Want to explore Stanley?

As tempting as it is to spend your entire stay at Borradale, there are some lovely places to discover if you do feel like venturing out.

The Nut

You can’t visit Stanley without seeing The Nut. This impressive volcanic formation dominates the landscape, and you can either walk the steep track to the summit or take the chairlift up. Once at the top, there’s a walking circuit with spectacular views over Stanley, the surrounding farmland and Bass Strait.

The historic village

Stanley is full of heritage buildings, little shops and cafes, making it a lovely place to wander around with your camera. Take some time to explore the streets, browse the local businesses and enjoy the coastal views.

Highfield Historic Site

We've been here before and thoroughly enjoyed it. For anyone who loves history and beautiful old buildings, Highfield House is well worth a visit. Once the headquarters of the Van Diemen’s Land Company, the historic homestead and its grounds offer a  glimpse into the region’s colonial history. Theres also some cool ruins of the convict barrocks up on that hill and some of the best views in Stanley.

The beaches

Stanley has some beautiful stretches of coastline, including Godfreys Beach and Tatlows Beach. They’re lovely places for a walk, some photography or simply enjoying the fresh sea air.

Penguin spotting

If you’re visiting between spring and early autumn, you may also be able to see little penguins coming ashore around dusk. Godfreys Beach has a viewing area, but remember to keep your distance and avoid bright lights or flash photography.

If you’d like more ideas, Borradale has a useful guide to exploring Stanley and the surrounding area.

Would we stay again?

Absolutely.

Borradale is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve packed your bags. It’s beautifully styled, wonderfully comfortable and full of thoughtful details that make you feel genuinely looked after.

For me, it was the combination of everything that made it so special. The gorgeous gardens, the fresh sourdough, the little jar of pottery fragments, the original family photographs, the beautiful linens, the bubble bath and the art supplies that inspired me to sit down and paint the view.

Then there were the unexpected moments, like seeing the newborn calf and having the chance to explore the property with Mel.

We arrived with plans to explore Stanley, but ended up spending our time enjoying the house and its surroundings. I think that says a lot about a place.

Borradale is ideal for anyone who appreciates beautiful interiors, country gardens, history and the chance to enjoy a little luxury in a genuine rural setting. It’s particularly lovely for those who want to reconnect with creativity, spend time outdoors or simply enjoy being somewhere that has been thoughtfully put together.

If you’re planning a trip to Tasmania’s north west coast and love the idea of staying somewhere with character, history and a little bit of country house magic, I’d put Borradale on your list.

Just don’t be surprised if you end up spending more time at the house than you planned.

I certainly wouldn’t have minded another few days there.

Planning your own stay?

Book direct on their site https://borradalestanley.au/luxury-accommodation-in-stanley/