Overview: Relax and enjoy sensational sea views of Freycinet Peninsula and Schouten Island from this historic, four bedroom beach house. The perfect spot for a getaway with friends and family, a romantic retreat or for visitors looking for a base to explore the East Coast. The Saltworks Beach House is a waterfront cottage with short walks to secluded beaches for swimming and longer coastal walks. Close to an all weather boat ramp, it is an ideal location for every season. It has a special 'wow' factor that you will always remember.
About the property: The Saltworks Beach House consists of an historic cottage, that was rebuilt from ruins in 1987 along with the construction of an adjoining building and 3-bay garage. The renovated property was a finalist in the Australian Institute of Architect’s national Robin Boyd Award in that same year. The cottage was formerly the Overseer’s cottage of the Lisdillon Salt Works, built and operated by James Radcliffe in 1830’s using convict labour. It is surrounded by expansive water views and a large olive grove.
Today, the open planned cottage contains a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and comfortable lounge where you can sit in front of an open fire, sip a glass of wine, read a book or watch TV. Attached to the cottage is a large sunroom providing outdoor seating and an additional dining area where you can take in the magnificent views regardless of the weather.
Sleeping: The property comfortably sleeps 8 people across 4 bedrooms - 3 queens size beds and one room with two single beds. Two decks connect the cottage to an adjoining building, which features 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and a spacious sitting room off a sunlit gallery. A fourth bedroom, plus an additional bathroom and laundry, are available off the garage. A porta cot, trundle bed and fold-out divan can be utilised with negotiation. See attached floor plan.
Kitchen: We provide a range of teas, coffee plunger, milk, breakfast cereal, a rice cooker and cooking essentials such as herbs, spices, oil and sauces in a well-equipped kitchen and an outside BBQ. The freshly pressed olive oil comes direct from the olive grove surrounding our property - known as Olives By the Sea.
Guests have full access to the property except for the garage, which is used for storage. There is room for parking close to the house and plenty of space for boats and trailers in the yard.
Things To Do: The Saltworks Beach House offers various living areas and nooks to escape to. We provide a range of books, DVDs, jigsaws, cards, games and binoculars for your enjoyment, along with a Bose bluetooth speaker, so you can listen to your own favourite music.
Guests have direct access to two beaches, which are very safe for swimming and body surfing, plus a coastal walk immediately in front of the property.
A two-minute stroll from the property, across the headland reserve, brings you to the original ruins of the Lisdillon Salt Works, where you can read about its history and operations first-hand. They remain an important historic and archaeological site.
Only a two-minute drive away is access to a jetty and a dual lane concrete boat ramp with a central pontoon platform. This all-weather and all-tide boat ramp is at the mouth of the Little Swanport River, ideal for kayaking in the estuary or launching any-sized boat to head out to sea. A beautiful, sparkling waterway shared with numerous pelicans, fairy terns, pied oyster catchers, herons, black swans and if you are lucky, our resident sea eagle.
The Saltworks Beach House is a place where you can kick back and do nothing or get active and do lots!
Location: The Saltworks Beach House is located along Saltworks Road, which takes its name from the historic Lisdillon Salt Works and is now a small, sleepy settlement consisting of around 25 large blocks, predominantly weekenders with a few permanent residents. The properties are well spaced for privacy. As there is no through road, the Saltworks remains one of the east coast's best kept secrets, known predominantly by local fishermen in search of bream, crayfish, flathead, salmon, calamari, scollops and abalone.
Getting There: The Saltworks Beach House is one and a half hours from the Hobart airport and also one and a half hours from the Launceston airport. It is accessed via Saltworks Road, which joins the Tasman Highway between Boomer Creek (to the South) and Lisdillon Rivulet (to the North). It sits almost exactly halfway between Triabunna (28 kms South - 22 mins) and Swansea (24 kms North - 19 mins).
Nearby Things To Do: The Saltworks Beach House is ideally located to explore all that is on offer along Tasmania's scenic East Coast, with its spectacular coastline, vast skies and wild beaches. Enjoy the numerous wineries, national parks and historic sites along the way.
From The Saltworks Beach House, travelling South, it is only 28 kms to Triabunna, where ferries leave daily for Maria Island National Park. There is an extensive Information Centre in Triabunna along with two hotels, coffee shops, a grocery store, a petrol station and access to free Wifi. Make sure you stop at the Fish Van down by the Triabunna jetty for a great feed of local fish and chips.
A further 10-minute drive South brings you to the coastal town of Orford and access to Spring Beach and Rheban Beach. Enjoy a Woodfire pizza at Scorchers by the River or a cup of coffee at the Gateway Cafe.
Heading North, travel 24 kms to reach the seaside village of Swansea. Stop at historic 'Spiky Bridge' and visit Kate's Berry Farm to taste yummy ice-cream, homemade chocolate and jams. Swansea has a petrol station, two grocery stores, cafes, restaurants, a newsagent and the Bark Mill Tavern and Bakery. Great coffee can be found at Artifakt Gallery and Cafe and if you have time, check out the restored old Bark Mill and the Historic Museum. The town also has free Wifi.
Beyond Swansea and only 82 kms (1 hr. 10 mins) drive from the Saltworks is Coles Bay - the gateway to beautiful Freycinet Peninsula and Wine Glass Bay. Further North takes you to the coastal town of Bicheno, famous for its lichen-covered boulders. Just a little further on is the Douglas-Apsley National Park. Lots of wineries to visit on this stretch of the Coast, try stopping at picturesque Devils Corner winery overlooking Moulting Lagoon Reserve or The Farm Shed - East Coast Wine Centre.
For longer trips, it is 112kms (1.5hrs) drive to Hobart and 160kms (2 hrs) to Launceston via the Lake Leak road.
The Hobart airport is 1.5 hrs south of the Saltworks Beach House. The Launceston airport is also only 1.5 hrs drive North.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Little Swanport
Located in Little Swanport, this holiday home is near a water park and on the beach. Spiky Bridge is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Little Swanport Conservation Area and Little Christmas Island Nature Reserve. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking.
Little Swanport Conservation Area - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
Kelvedon Beach - 13 min drive - 17.3 km
Devil’s Corner Cellar Door - 38 min drive - 60.5 km
Friendly Beaches - 52 min drive - 83.1 km
Freycinet Marine Farm - 55 min drive - 91.0 km
Getting around
Hobart International Airport (HBA) - 76 min drive
Restaurants
Me & Mum’s - 5 min drive
Gray cafe - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends?
As of 14 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends on 11 Aug 2026 start from AU$390, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Saltworks Beach House - fun with family & friends located?
Nestled on the beach, this Little Swanport holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Lisdillon Beach, Saltworks Beach and Little Swanport Conservation Area. Little Christmas Island Nature Reserve and Mayfield Bay Conservation Area are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a lovely stay at Saltworks. It’s a great spot to explore the east coast of Tassie. Very cosy living spaces and the hosts were communicative about check in and out.
The Salt Works Beach House is the most amazing place! It is right on the beach with the most amazing views and the house is just so lovely, with everything you need to have a great stay - including beach towels!!
This place is just what we needed. Time with family in a beautiful location with amazing views. It has everything you need and more. I cannot remember the last time we all sat around playing games together having a laugh a drink and then even family movie nights. Great location, great views, great hosts, loved the open fireplace, great atmosphere, even had pantry items I wasn’t expecting. We would love to stay again anytime.
A stunning house in a beautiful setting. The heritage and contemporary architecture work beautifully together, and even the added on sunroom is delightful in its warmth and views. Everything is as it should! The beach is pristine, and the water very refreshing. We’ll be back…again.
A beautiful property. Plenty of space, comfortable, very clean, gorgeous views of a very private beach. I would highly recommend staying here.
Erica S.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 4 May 2023
Thank you for your positive review Erica, so pleased you enjoyed the beach house, the views, beach and cottage. Hope you can return someday. Regards Mercia & Tam
This is the second time we have stayed and it is as perfect as ever. Stunning views, tasteful furnishings, great spaces for friends to share time together, great for swimming and walking, very well equipped kitchen, warm…we look forward to staying again!
We had an excellent stay at Saltworks Beach House. Tam and Mercia clearly thought through the needs of their guests and we found we had everything we needed, plus lots of fun extras (beach toys, beach towels, games, etc). Thanks for a great stay!
Great beach house in a great location, ideal base for exploring the East Coast
Interesting mix of old and new that works well....open fire in the old cottage was wonderful, new extension was very comfortable. Lovely to hear the waves crashing on the beach at night.
This was a special weekend with old friends. It was a perfect place to relax, cook and enjoy the open fireplace!
Beaches were amazing ! River mouth had a seals, fish and waves!
Our extended family enjoyed the beach house, it was clean and had good amenities and really conveniently located to a small beach. We were using this house as a base to travel to Freycinet National Park so didn’t get time to enjoy the beach as much.
Wonderful house for all our family....with its history and ocean views and wonderful rooms to eat drink and relax...splendid.......a few silly little things were missing but otherwise..very memorable
Sandy R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Mar 2020
So pleased to hear you enjoyed all that the Saltworks Beach House has to offer Sandy including the stunning ocean views. We would love to welcome you back for a relax and unwind any time you are ready. I’ll contact you privately re ‘those silly little things’ - we are open to all suggestions that can make our guests stay wonderful and ‘memorable’.
Thank you Mercia and Tam for sharing your wonderful beach house! We had a wonderful few days here for a family get together. The house and location were amazing! We appreciated all of the thoughtful extras such as board games and beach towels. Communication prior to arrival was excellent and we were made to feel very welcome. We only wish we had more time. Highly recommended!