SLOW STAY in Australia: Satellite Island
SHIBUI PAPER PLANE NO.29 | PUBLISHED BY SHIBUI & CO.
one island worlds away…
SLOW STAY satellite island | destination tasmania, australia
interview with Kate Alstergren (owner) | photography contributed by FEATURED storyteller Emilie Ristevski
Furtherest from madding crowds, remote as the eye can see and as wild as the tasman sea can throw…
satellite island is a tiny slice of Australian wilderness anchored on the eastern side of tasmania.
This is a rare connection to a pristine part of the world, where time meets with nature's elements,
modern luxury comforts and a billion stars will greet you…
Wild, tiny, private and so perfectly pristine, Satellite Island truly is worlds away. A sacred place to be. How did this precious island drop become a beautifully cast slow stay reality? And what kind of guest was in mind when designing this wilderness experience?
The island has been in our family since the 1960s, but it was not until 2013 that it became possible to stay on the island. We realised that we needed to share the magic of Satellite Island. The spirit of the island is adventure with a deep connection to nature. The island is raw and untouched and the experience is understated luxury… a tiny island at the edge of the world.
We tried to keep the experience as natural as possible, in harmony with the island while keeping nature at the centre stage. A visit to Satellite Island is about slowing down, living in the moment and experiencing the restorative magic of the sea and nature’s wilderness.
Satellite Island is a pin drop on the inland side of Bruny Island, which is anchored off the south-east coast of Tasmania near Hobart. Most Australians love Tasmania for her rugged wilderness, native wildlife, indigenous history, plentiful seasonal produce and culinary arts, but what does this region represent for global travellers?
For global travellers, Tasmania represents all of the above but mostly it is the sense for adventure, which is the essence of this state. Tasmania is still very much undiscovered, untouched, remote and unseen. It is still very much a secret.
Like a great sea adventure or romance novel the photographs tell a thousand words. Describe the feelings that might come to mind if one could place themselves inside any of these beautiful postcard moments?
There is definitely magic on the island… deep breathing in the sea air, perfect isolation, the sound of the sea lapping, the sea birds at night, sleeping with the doors open to a million stars twinkling above in the milky way, watching the sunset across the Southern Ocean, the water sparkling like diamonds, bird songs in the morning… Satellite Island gives you a sense of having the whole world to yourself.
The Boathouse creates a cosy setting to accommodate a very intimate connection with Mother Nature and guests. What are some of the feature comforts that make this such a magical slow stay experience?
The Boathouse sits on the rock shelf on the water’s edge and sleeping with the doors wide open is heaven. Here, all you need are the simple things… a beautiful bed, soft linen, cashmere throws, cosy rugs for sitting outside in the Adirondack chairs under the night sky, candles, lamps, a kettle for making tea and coffee in the morning to watch the sunrise and an outdoor shower over the rock shelf. Understated luxury in nature.
‘Morning Light’, ‘Sunset’ and ‘Dreamy’ are some names of the local bays that shape this island, all with access by a coastal track. How long does it take to walk around Satellite Island? What are some ‘must-do’ island highlights?
The cliff walk takes about an hour and winds its way along the sheer sea cliffs. It is a stunning track where you will see birds, dolphins, passing boats and the island deer. The rock shelf walk is a must while on the island. It winds in and out of tiny inlets, pebble beaches and sheltered coves along the ancient rock shelf that encircles the whole island. It takes about an hour.
Take the oyster shucking knife with you and shuck wild oysters straight from the sea, look out for the ancient fossils in the cliffs (over 200 million years old), fossick for sea treasure in the rock pools and watch for whales, albatross, oyster catchers and seals. The ancient rock shelf is home to an amazing array of shellfish, wild oysters, southern rock lobster, abalone, mussels and scallops.
Watching the sunset at Last Glimpse Point is a dream as is watching the sunrise over Bruny Island, a fire on the water’s edge and the Seaside Feast over Fire lunch with one of our chefs is the most incredible experience. The chef will dive for abalone and urchin and cook an amazing feast over fire on the water’s edge with produce from the land and sea.
How long is long enough to stay on Satellite Island?
Never! All of our guests say that their stays, however long, are never long enough.
SLOW STAY
FAST FACTS:
TRAVEL: Fly to Hobart and take a car, seaplane or helicopter to the island. If driving, you will see beautiful Bruny Island before you cast off on the island boat for Satellite Island.
ACCOMMODATION: On booking the island, guests have exclusive access to the island and all accommodation options, including the Summer House, Boathouse and luxury bell tent.
GUESTS: Maximum occupancy is 8 guests.
BRING: Food supplies and a sense of adventure.
SEASON: Anytime! Satellite Island is beautiful all year.
BOOKINGS: Email satelliteisland@gmail.com