Professional traveller and my personal friend, Lynda Watton, shares her recent remote adventures on Satellite Island, Tasmania: an island, off an island, off an island at the end of the earth. Things to do, what to eat, how to spend your days, this post makes the perfect itinerary if you’re planning a visit to Satellite Island, a true private island getaway.
In the D’Entrecasteaux Channel off the coast of Bruny Island Tasmania is a tiny remote island: Satellite Island.
I’ve dreamed about visiting this privately-owned island for a long time. And I was lucky enough to join a small group of ladies from other parts of Australia on an unforgettable 4-night stay.
It was everything I dreamed of and more. To breathe the icy winds from Southern Tasmania at the end of the earth, with the next stop being Antarctica.
Below is everything you need to know about what to do, where to stay, and how to get to Satellite Island from Tasmania for an unforgettable stay and remote adventures.
Remote adventures on Satellite Island, Tasmania: how to get there, things to do & what to eat
How to get to Satellite Island: the ferry from Bruny Island
Our group flew down to Tasmania and met in Hobart the night before our island adventure. Our organiser Sally, who runs a small group travel business called Souk and Co, normally takes groups to Morocco. We stocked up on champagne, wine and other drinks, before a bus trip to Bruny Island.
Bruny Island is known for its eclectic food and wine. Apart from lunch, we didn’t get to experience the breweries, wineries, cafes or apple picking Bruny Island had to offer. We’d decided to spend most of our time on Satellite Island instead.
On arrival at the Bruny Island boat ramp, we met Richard: Island Keeper and all around good guy. Richard took our luggage and supplies over to the farmhouse on Satellite Island. Then came back to collect us on his large tin boat. It was a little choppy as we sat, warm and dry under gorgeous woollen blankets for the 5 minute crossing.
Where to stay: The Satellite Island Boathouse and Summer House
The boat pulled up to the stunning Scandinavian-designed Boathouse. As we disembarked, it was one of those “pinch me” moments. I had been following Satellite Island on social media for a while and I couldn’t believe I was finally here.
All of us ladies squealed with delight and grabbed the cameras, madly snapping photos of the unique luxury accommodation.
The boathouse sits over a rock ledge where the ocean ebbs and flows with the tide. It hosts 2 large bedrooms with king-sized beds of luscious linen and squishy big pillows. A roller door takes up a whole wall, which can be opened to watch the sea and sunrise, or closed when the fire pit is in full force.
The boathouse also had bunkbeds to fit more people. There were beach combing collections on display, along with tea and coffee making facilities in each room.
Out the back, each room had an indoor/outdoor shower and eco toilet system. It’s a memory I will always treasure. To stand under the shower and watch the ocean, the seagulls, or a friendly seal swim by.
Behind the boathouse, a staircase leads up the seacliff the Summer House, a quaint cottage furnished like a French farmhouse. They also have a lush bell tent a little further away from the house. Having 8 people spread out and share so much space across the accommodation was perfect!
Because Satellite Island is privately owned, there are no other accommodation options. It’s a true private island experience to slow down and reconnect with nature. You can book your accommodation to stay at the Boathouse and Summer House here.
Staying well-fed on Satellite Island: seafood, woodfires, and treats
On arrival, we were greeted with salty oysters and cold champagne.
A bag of freshly caught oysters is always hanging in the ocean tied to the deck. There is fishing tackle and nets for anyone who wants to partake in a shucking lesson from Richard.
The Summer House is where we ate most of our meals. Although we brought food down from Hobart, the pantry was filled with yummy treats from all over the world. And there were incredible chards and greens in the veggie garden for our daily green juice.
On the island, there are many areas to cook with firepits and BBQ’s so we were spoilt for choice. From yummy granola and stewed fruit, to fresh fish over the open coals, food was a big winner here.
And we were treated with a long lunch courtesy of Adam James from Rough Rice. Adam is a well-known chef who lives on Bruny Island. He arrived at the Boathouse while we were recovering from our dip in the ocean, and created a little beach fire.
He cooked freshly-caught rock flathead, made salads from the garden, and added a few other tasty treats from Bruny Island. Our late lunch on the deck stretched all afternoon. We watched the sunset over the Southern Ocean until it shimmered in moonlight.
Things to do on Satellite Island: beach combing, nature walks, and wildlife
Satellite Island has incredible walks to get lost on. We ambled under trees and native bush, through long grass whispering in the wind. On this secluded island, it really felt like time slowed down.
At the top of the island, there’s a lookout to spot the local deer roaming around. There are two resident bucks: Bert and Henry. They, along with a harem of fallow does and a few sheep, were brought onto the island to keep the grass under control.
We didn’t see the deer up close since they are quite timid. But I did enjoy wandering along the island walks looking for them. Watching them gallop across the grass to hide in the bush. They are very good at hiding and just beautiful creatures.
At low tide, you can walk all the way around the island. I am a beach comber from way back, so I fully enjoyed the rock-ledge walks, finding sea glass and pieces of shell and wood. It felt like I was on a treasure hunt, putting it out to the universe to see what had washed up with the tide.
Slowing down and reconnecting with nature
I spent the days watching the morning sun hit the sea cliffs, the giant kelp seaweed sway in the water. Shell limpets, little red-sea anemone and sea urchins. It was so quiet apart from the froth waves or the birds.
Three of us braved the arctic temperatures and jumped into the water. It was invigorating. I nearly drowned as I jumped in. I swallowed water, then swallowed water again as I felt large kelp wrap around my foot. There is a pontoon but the icy winds kept us in the ocean. We had to keep swimming to stay warm.
Back on the boathouse deck, we caught our breath in the autumn sun. Covered in ocean salt, it was just the most incredible feeling.
Memories and gratitudes
This island really was heaven and made us all slow down.
At the end of our stay, we shared our gratitudes for friendship, scenery, quiet moments, the sea birds and beach combing. I will cherish memories of collecting fresh eggs for breakfast, dinner conversations, listening to the trees sway around us, and enjoying a “crafternoon” of painting our beach walk finds.
The times we shared on this wilderness island, off an island, off an island were something special. Satellite Island is such a special place for remote adventures to slow down and reconnect with nature off the coast of Tasmania. It was truly an incredible experience and one I will treasure for a long time to come.
An Australian travel blogger and photographer, Lynda is passionate about sharing her journeys and inspiring others to go on adventures. Lynda loves to share her passion of travel through her blog posts and social media with her own photography, whether that is currently on old-fashioned road trips in regional Australia or the back lanes in Morocco. Lynda is energetic and brings this energy, her passion and her amazing eye to these experiences.
Having travelled extensively overseas in the past 10 years, Lynda is embracing local travel. She works closely with a local travel agent and a fabulous business running small group tours. Lynda’s current passion projects are “Buy from the Bush” and “Bring an empty Esky”.
Instagram @lyndawatton
Blog: www.thewonkycamera.com.au
2 comments
A great story Lynda! The island looks divine and reading your adventures, I felt like I was there. I love Tasmania and will look into visiting again as soon as I can. You had me at Tasmanian oysters and champagne 🦪 🥂
I loved it too Nicole! Love reading all about Lynda’s adventures, she has a knack for finding the most unique places. Can’t wait to visit Satellite Island myself for those oysters and champagne.