BE curious
explore
Aquila and beyond
Aquila is a sanctuary. A place to stop, breathe and enjoy magic in the moments. We’ve created this haven so you can truly relax. Set amongst 20 hectares of working farm and secluded bushland, take the time to reconnect with nature, yourself and your loved one.
“We didn’t realise we were making memories,
we just knew we were having fun.”
– said Pooh to Christopher Robin.
Aquila Eco Retreat
MEET THE LOCALS: Say hi to the resident sheep. Watch the guinea fowl play. Chat to the talking rescued parrots in the on-site aviaries. See the wallabies grazing. Or spot the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle as you sway in your private deck hammock. This is your time, you choose.
GO FOR A WANDER: Relish a romantic picnic in the paddock, there are plenty of spectacular places to choose from. Venture into the vineyard. Our burgeoning vineyard showcases the potential of decades-old Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines that were once destined for a bonfire.
FEEL THE HEAT: Indulge in our Flame Space. This is where wellness happens. Feel the deep relaxation in the wood-fire sauna as your cares melt away. Then experience the invigorating power of cold immersion. Your skin will tingle for hours.
REACH FOR THE STARS: Snuggle around the firepit in the Flame Space and share a story over a glass of Tassie Pinot Noir. Look up! There are a trillion stars twinkling in the night sky. With no light pollution and an expansive sky, lose yourself in the wonders of stargazing.
Richmond and the Coal Valley
You probably won’t want to leave the tranquillity of Aquila, but if you choose to explore, you are conveniently close to many of Tasmania’s best attractions.
MEET THE DUCKS: It’s the simple things that can give the greatest pleasure. The ducks at Richmond Bridge mingle with tourists as the admire the oldest bridge in Tasmania. Wander along the track by the river and enjoy the tranquillity.
EAT DELICIOUS BERRIES: There’s nothing like the burst of flavour from fresh berries. At Littlewood Berry Farm you can pick your own strawberries or if it’s not the season, indulge in the ice cream, gin, coffee and local produce on offer at this 4th generation working farm.
PLAY A ROUND OF GOLF: Hit the greens at picturesque Richmond Golf Course. This welcoming 9-hole private country course extends an invitation to all golf enthusiasts. With 10 challenging holes that accommodate players of all skill levels, it offers a fun golfing adventure.
DO THE COAL VALLEY WINE ROUTE: Take a short drive to some of the State’s best vineyards and sip on the finest Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling and cool-climate varietals. Savour lunch with matching wines and call into boutique cellar doors and distillery tasting rooms. And, of course, bring a bottle of two back to Aquila to appreciate while watching the sunset. Maps are located in your accommodation.
EAT PIZZA AND DRINK PINOT: Find a spot on the sunny lawn at Pooley Wines in Richmond and indulge in wood-fired pizza and mouthwatering wine. From 12-3pm Fridays to Sundays, this is the place to while away the afternoon in the grounds of a Georgian convict-built home. Try an in-depth wine tasting in The Coach House and wander the pretty gardens or simply settle into a bean bag.
SAVOUR TASMANIA. Richmond is home to some eclectic and delicious dining options. Enjoy classic pub grub at the Richmond Arms Hotel, graze your way through one of the many local wineries, grab a quick bite at the famous Richmond Bakery, enjoy a lazy day under the trees at the Wattlebanks Cafe or go all out and book a romantic 5-star experience at the historic Prospect House. There is something to suit all tastes and budgets.
A little further down the road
SEE EXTRAORDINARY ART: Delve into your subconscious as you enter Mona to see one of the most controversial private art collections in the world. Located in Berriedale, you can drive to Mona or catch a fun ferry from Brooke Street Pier. The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is a major gallery in Hobart showcasing some of Tasmania’s finest collections, and there are galleries scattered throughout Salamanca Place, including Long Gallery, Handmark and Despard Gallery.
EMBARK ON HOBART: Aquila might feel a world away, but cosmopolitan Hobart is only a 20-minute drive. Visit the boutiques and galleries in historic Salamanca Place on the waterfront. This is where the largest open-air markets in Australia come to life every Saturday. Wander over to Battery Point and marvel at the quaint convict-built cottages and cozy pubs. Take the 30-minute drive to kunanyi/Mt Wellington for 360 degree views over Hobart, the Derwent River and the Huon Valley. There are many bushwalks to choose from on the mountain – from 30-minute strolls to several-hour hikes.
SEE FLUFFY CREATURES: Maria Island is a sanctuary to many of Tasmania’s rare and endangered species, which are free to roam and thrive on this car-free island. Wombats and wallabies graze with Forester kangaroos and Cape Barren Geese and this is home to one of the healthiest populations of Tasmanian devils. Stroll along one of the pristine beaches, explore the swirling sandstone patterns on the Painted Cliffs and find 300-million-year-old marine fossils at Fossil Cliffs. The convict probation station is the most intact In Australia. To get to Maria Island, it is a 45-minute drive to Triabunna where you can catch a ferry.
STEP BACK IN TIME. No trip to Tasmania is complete without a visit to the Tasman Penisula and more specifically Port Arthur. Consistently one of the most visited places in Australia, and for good reason, this globally significant historic site sheds light on one of the most significant and brutal times in our history. Part of the UNESCO Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Property, Port Arthur will stay with you long after you’ve left the site.
indulge
treat yourself
Aquila has partnered with Tasmanian Air Tours to provide these unique and exclusive experiences for our guests, departing from our onsite heli-pad.
Indulge in arguably the most scenic way to take in the Coal Valley or the Tasman Peninsula.
Sit back and soak in the jaw-dropping views as you make your way across Storm Bay, Hobart’s southern beaches and the Tasman Peninsula as you make your way to a private beach picnic. Savour a gourmet Bangor hamper filled with seasonal Tasmanian fare and sparkling wine while breathing in the salt air on a secluded beach. Go beach-combing, try a refreshing cold-water dip or simply lie on the sand and watch the clouds drift across the sky. This will be an experience you’ll never forget.
And if sand between your toes is not your style, allow yourself to be whisked off to Frogmore Creek Estate for lunch, where you’ll enjoy a private wine tasting at the cellar door followed by a mouth-watering two-course meal at their awarded fine dining restaurant. Go for a wander around through the vines, treat yourself to something from the gift shop, and maybe even get a few takeaways to enjoy back at Aquila. You will be picked up and driven back to your accommodation so you can truly relax into an afternoon of indulgence.
The team at Drink Tasmania will help you experience the best of southern Tasmania’s award-winning craft beverages. Their guides specialise in the craft beverages industry and their tours showcase the very best alcoholic drinks in Tasmania and show the vast diversities across producers.
Perfect for up to 4 adults, their custom private yours will have you being picked up right from your doorstep. Where you’ll be whisked away and given the opportunity to gain access to areas and drinks that aren’t always available to the public.
The relationships that the Drink Tasmania team have with the industry are what sets them apart and are what makes their tours, truly memorable. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Of course, you also have the option to visit the Drink Tasmania Tasting House based just down the road in historic Richmond, where you sample the very best of Southern Tasmania’s premium wines, whisky, gin and other craft beverages.