Silverbirch Cottage.

Now with free wifi, wood heater/fireplace and smart TV with Netflix, Silverbirch Cottage is a lovely, 3 bedroom heritage cottage in Deloraine, northern Tasmania. It sleeps 7 in permanent beds, and up to 8 using extra fold out beds, making it perfect for larger families or family groups. It has 2 bathrooms, and a large laundry, equipped with a front loading machine, clothes dryer and drying cupboard.

Our Rose Room (photo #5) has a queen bed and an unusual hand crafted timber bay window feature. Our Lavender room (photo #4) has a queen and a single bed, and our Fern Room (photo #3) has a queen bed and an ensuite bathroom. We also have a single fold out bed which can be set up in any of these bedrooms. We can provide a fold out cot and high chair for our younger visitors. All of our beds are fitted with electric blankets to ensure our guests are warm during our Tasmanian winters, and the cottage also has high quality wall heaters which warm the whole cottage very efficiently.

Guests now have a brand new Morso wood fireplace (installed July 2017) to add atmosphere and ambiance to the main living area as well as radiant heat. We also have a reverse cycle air conditioner for both heating and cooling (yes, it does get pretty hot in Tassie in summer!) Our tariff includes all bed linen, pillows and towels so there is nothing left for guests to bring but themselves.

Our main bathroom boasts a claw foot bath (photo #6 and new in June 2016) and separate shower, with the toilet in a separate room (there is another toilet in the ensuite). We supply washing powder for the machine, and we also provide an ironing board and iron.

The main lounges were replaced in January 2016 and provide a comfy place to watch TV or doze away a sleepy Tasmanian afternoon.

The cottage has a renovated kitchen (installed September 2013) but has retained much of its original character with its unique recycled timber splash backs and rustic island bench; you won't find another one like ours anywhere. We also have a dishwasher, toaster, microwave, gas cook top and wall oven and plenty of kitchen ware, including those vital wine glasses. Many guests have provided positive feedback about how user-friendly the kitchen is for self catering as we have tried to provide everything you could think of to cook full meals while you are at the cottage, from cutting boards, to pizza trays, from corkscrews to a large wok for those healthy stirfries.

We have 2 main living areas and a large dining space (photo #8) so there is plenty of space for even the largest groups. We provide a wall mounted 43 inch smart TV (purchased new in May 2017) , DVD player, Iphone speakers and a large collection of DVDs to ensure there are no shortage of ways to spend down time.

The NBN has arrived at the cottage and guests now have free Wifi and internet to run the smart TV which will include complementary use of the cottage Netflix account. So now you can update your Facebook profile or Instagram account with the stunning photos and videos taken during your travels in northern Tasmania.

The cottage is wheelchair friendly. Photo #9 shows the side doors, access is via a short ramp with one small step at the top. The French doors open up for easy access. Photos #1 and #12 show the front verandah and stone stairs to the front door. Wheelchair access is possible from the end of the verandah which has a low rise or using the front steps are low with wide treads.

Our newest improvement to the cottage is a new Tasmanian Pine timber balcony at the rear of the house (completed in November 2016) which overlooks the garden and the Great Western Tiers - photo #13. It is the perfect sunny spot for wine time or just a place to soak up the majesty of the Tasmanian outdoors. The deck is accessed through new red cedar French doors which open a full 180 degrees which extends the usable living area for guests to enjoy. It is furnished with a new 3 piece outdoor lounge and table.

But even better than the cottage are its beautiful gardens, created by a professional designer. They provide a lovely secluded oasis to relax and pretend to ponder life's meaning, and children love the little "secret garden" paths which meander around the property, which is fenced and child-safe. The cottage has a resident brush tail possum who has a nest on one of the trees - can you find it?

The yards are dotted with silver birch trees which provide dappled shade in summer and stunning silhouettes during cooler months and at dusk. Our courtyard has a large barbecue and a hammock, and it is a beautiful private space for al fresco dining (photo #10).

Our cottage is a short walk from the local shops and cafes and the Visitors Centre, so there is plenty of amenity whether you want to self-cater or eat out. There is a lovely loop walk around the Meander River, and Launceston and Devonport are each a 30 minute drive away. Silverbirch Cottage provides a cosy and tasteful base from which to explore the beautiful area nearby, including Mole Creek, Solomon's Caves, Huntsman Lake, Liffey Falls, Quamby Bluff and Cradle Mountain.

Most guests rave about the natural beauty of the area and tourist attractions abound. If you feel like a treat then in town we can recommend Deloraine Deli or the Christmas Hill Raspberry Farm just 8 km north along the Bass Highway. The Cherry Shed at La Trobe has delicious cherries (seasonally available) and a cafe offering tasty meals. Or try the free cheese tasting at Ashgrove Cheese Factory between Christmas Hills and La Trobe.

Try to spot one of the 3 resident platypus that call the Meander River home between the caravan park and the road bridge, right in the middle of the town. We have found them to be most active for the hour or so each side of dawn or dusk. They aren't timid and will often swim past within a few metres from the riverbank. Their usual haunts are between the footbridge over the river in the caravan park and the area just downstream from the pontoon near the public swimming pool on the left bank.


Pets are not allowed up on the furniture eg sofas or beds
During the night, pets are to be kept in the internal laundry overnight or in a bedroom with the door closed, so they don't have the run of the house overnight.
Guests are required to clean up after their pets (eg remove droppings) before checkout.
Bookings involving pets are required to pay a $75 cleaning bond.