Meredith House sits on a hill overlooking the historical seaside town of Swansea on the east coast of Tasmania.

Its elevated position provides sweeping views of the magnificent Great Oyster Bay and Freycinet Peninsula. Built in 1853, this substantial and imposing house is renowned for its warmth and charm - all those happy holidays and honeymoons over the years have added a patina to this gracious home.

The house has been extensively renovated, and now offers every comfort for the discerning traveller including ensuites, mini bars, TVs and telephones, without losing any of its ambience. Accommodation includes six rooms upstairs and a luxurious two room suite downstairs with its own open fire and spa. There is an intimate guest lounge and elegant dining room, also with open fires, and the whole house is furnished with hand-crafted red cedar furniture and family antiques. Dinner is usually a convivial affair with guests enjoying a delicious, country style, three course meal. Local specialties are featured with seasonal produce from the garden, complimented by a choice of local and mainland wines.

A full or light breakfast is served in the dining room and Meredith House is a non-smoking property.

Four spa apartments were added to the property in 1997. These are heritage style, luxury studio apartments fitted with a double and a single bed. They are equipped with the same facilities as the House, with the addition of a kitchenette, and have individual balconies overlooking the garden, barbecue and outdoor living area.

The landscaped gardens lead down to a croquet lawn. Swansea makes a good base for touring, being under two hours drive from Hobart, Launceston or Port Arthur, and the beautiful Freycinet Peninsula is less than an hour away. A day spent enjoying the rugged beauty of Freycinet and walking to the exquisite Wine Glass Bay can be combined with a visit to one of the award winning local vineyards. Historical and fascinating Maria Island, now deserted, was the birthplace of the Tasmanian wine industry and a day spent exploring the ruins and taking in the majestic scenery and local fauna are not to be missed.