What's happening at The SHiP
SEASONAL UPDATE
Captains Log
Spring
Spring brings a warming of the air and a sense of life to the land. Wattles are blooming, wallabies are bringing joeys to the front lawn, swallows return, bees begin preparing for the floral abundance of the iron barks and peppermint gums, the chickens begin laying and the vegetable garden thrives. It is a special time here at The SHiP and marks a time where everyone begins to emerge from hibernation thinking of dips in the sea and warm afternoons with an ale in hand watching the sun set over Mt Pearson.
We have been busy at The SHiP. Restocking the Tasmanian wines, ales, gin and whisky. Adding new touches to the BBQ area and preparing for a busy season of visitors from around the world. Our Summer bookings open today and we expect to have another sold out five star season meeting travellers sharing stories of their adventures around the fire pit and cooking scallops, prawns and fish on the BBQ or savouring the Captains Breakfast before heading off to explore the Bay of Fires and creating life memories.
The landscape at The SHiP has changed. 25 hectares of our 38 have had a undergrowth burn. Currently there is an opportunity to witness the contours of the land and what the land looks like when the undergrowth is removed. This event was originally undertaken for the safety of the property and the reserves that surround it. If a fire was to eventuate naturally or by an errant event then the possibility of devastation for the community was real - by undertaking a controlled burn a barrier of sorts between us and the forests that surround us is created and therefore provides a peace of mind to ourselves, our guests, our community and our nature. Of course the Bay of Fires was given its name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure, who saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches. It was common practice for the people of larapuna to burn the land and as a result the flora has evolved to regenerate through fire. In years to come, the 53 species of native flora documented on the property will sprout to the new generation of the land and will be a spectacle to witness.
We look forward to welcoming you back or introducing you to our incredible part of the world as new visitors, let us know if you need any tips as we will be happy to share some of our local knowledge with you.
See you soon!
Cheerio
The Captain.
Brett Charlton
Winter
Winter is a special time here on the edge of an island at the bottom of the planet. Its cool enough to put the fire on, but not out of the question to dive in at Sunrise. Vegetable gardens are thriving, firewood is stacked and 68 acres of coastal forest is alive and loving the recent rains. Most of the wildlife are full from summer and are taking it easy. Although, a couple of Tasmanian Devils jog and grunt their way through to the dam most nights.
Winter is a reset here on 68 acres overlooking the Bay of Fires. The beach is rarely shared and the colours over the coast with the lower sun are a sight to behold. It is different to the summer of course, but a time we love with the smell of soup in the house and the smell of nature outside.
Reflection
We have had the honour of sharing The SHiP with people from all around the world over the last year. Air BnB allows our guests to provide feedback and we are humbled that The SHiP is in the top 1% of properties in our area with five star reviews exclusively.
Many guests ordered the Captains Breakfast as well as BBQ seafood platters and cheese boards. Our honey was sold out this season and we still get messages from guests that took some home. Of course many brought their own food and many creations and memories were made with the wallabies looking on at sunset.
We live here and never take any day for granted. It is not unusual to see us out maintaining over 3kms of tracks throughout the coastal forest, adding compost to the organic vegetable garden or chatting with the chooks and parrots.
If you are reading this as a past guest, we very much look forward to seeing you again. If you are coming as a new guest, we are excited for your adventure to Tasmania, The SHiP and the Bay of Fires. It is truly a special part of the world. We pinch ourselves often to ensure we are not in a dream and all of this is real.
Art
Art
It was a highlight to welcome back Russell McKane for his residency here at The SHiP. Russell’s painting “Passing of a Tap Tree: Figure in Landscape no.39” hangs in the Galley (guests kitchen area). Russell spent two weeks scouting and painting a new series of oil paintings that will take three years to complete. It is a privilege to watch an artist create and even more when every conversation is accompanied with a huge grin and a lust for colour and landscape.
What to do when here
No doubt you have “googled” things and they are all excellent (you are coming here after all!). That said, we love those that come with a sense of wonder and surprise, we often point you to places not digitally known.
Anything you want to know? Just message us. We are happy to help.
Cheerio
The Captain.
Brett Charlton