Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions
January 21, 2020
Projected by Liminal Studio, the site overlooks Great Oyster Bay as well as the dramatic granite Hazard Mountains, attracting travellers who wish to relax, explore the natural diversity of one of Tasmania’s oldest National Parks and admire the breathtaking beauty of Tasmania’s east coast.
Located in Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, the Freycinet Lodge has been in operation since the 1990’s. Having acquired the property recently, RACT Destinations was keen to upgrade. RACT sought tourism advice from Brett Torrossi, to help steer the sensitive project. Liminal was then commissioned to transform the visitor experience through the conceptualisation, design and delivery of nine pavilions tailored to celebrate the scenic qualities of the unique setting. The Pavilions provide a point of difference to the existing 60 cabins, offering a quality, contemporary, eco-sensitive, site specific experience. Liminal drew inspiration for the new Coastal Pavilions from the fluid topography of the nearby bays and layered coastal granite rock formations, while paying homage to the character of the National Park they nestle into.
“We have drawn inspiration from this unique setting to influence the architecture and interiors of the pavilions. The design has taken its cue from the fluidity and layers of the coastal rock formations, the colouring of the rich orange lichen and forms of the nearby bays. The exteriors are treated in a recessive way so as not to compete with this beautiful landscape.”
- Peta Heffernan, Co-founding Director, Liminal Studio
- Peta Heffernan, Co-founding Director, Liminal Studio
Floor to ceiling curved windows bring the outdoors in, emphasizing the experience of being immersed in nature. The positioning and interplay of the living room and bedroom wing form an embrace reminiscent of nearby bays, protecting the generous deck and offering privacy to the outdoor bath.
The black, exterior protective shell is made of Red Ironbark that is charred – referencing the significance of fire in the bush environment, while also increasing the longevity of the timber and ensuring the pavilions are visually discreet. The design team
was conscious that any insertion into the natural landscape had to be a backdrop that presented a quiet response to its immediate context. Considerable time was spent on site locating the pavilions to ensure the optimal experience of seclusion and immersion could be achieved. The solid form seen on approach plays an important role in the hide and reveal. The water views and the intimacy of being nestled in the bush, further enabled through the expansive floor to ceiling windows, aren’t fully realized until the front door is opened.
was conscious that any insertion into the natural landscape had to be a backdrop that presented a quiet response to its immediate context. Considerable time was spent on site locating the pavilions to ensure the optimal experience of seclusion and immersion could be achieved. The solid form seen on approach plays an important role in the hide and reveal. The water views and the intimacy of being nestled in the bush, further enabled through the expansive floor to ceiling windows, aren’t fully realized until the front door is opened.
The interiors of the Pavilions are immersed in the warmth of Tasmanian timbers. Offcuts of Tasmanian Oak timber clad the walls, Blackwood and the only plywood to be manufactured locally, totally enwrap the interiors to emphasise a completely Tasmanian experience. Using and showcasing utilitarian and natural materials in innovative ways have created a unique
atmosphere befitting of its setting. An experiential highlight is the netted, hammock-like balustrades. Recognising the desire to retain the views that a standard balustrade would interrupt, Liminal devised the unique solution that provides a novel opportunity for relaxing and enjoying the incredible setting.
atmosphere befitting of its setting. An experiential highlight is the netted, hammock-like balustrades. Recognising the desire to retain the views that a standard balustrade would interrupt, Liminal devised the unique solution that provides a novel opportunity for relaxing and enjoying the incredible setting.
Diagramatically the living, sleeping and bathing spaces are expressed as pods, connected by the flow of the circulation and deck, emulating the landscape curves of nearby Honeymoon Bay.
The simple colour palette that guided the choice of fabrics responds to the coastal textures and variety of greys, oranges and blues found in the nearby granite rocks, rich coloured lichen and deep blue ocean. The absence of right angles combined with curved forms, meant that the builders’ skills were put to the test. The skill of the builders to achieve the meticulous detailing required, reminds us of what true craftmanship is.
Photography by Dianna Snape
Address: Freycinet National Park, 7215 - Coles Bay, Tasmania, Australia
www.freycinetlodge.com.au
www.liminalstudio.com.au
SHARE THIS
Contribute
G&G _ Magazine is always looking for the creative talents of stylists, designers, photographers and writers from around the globe.
Find us on
Latest News
Set along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Salil Hotel Riverside – Bangkok can be reached by its private boat, offering guests an arrival that feels less like a simple transfer and more like the arrival in a world of imagination, art and mythical creatures.
The international home and kitchenware industry will once again gather in Istanbul as ZUCHEX returns for its 36th edition on 9-12 September 2026 . Bringing together manufacturers, brands, buyers, retailers, distributors and sourcing professionals from around the world, the exhibition continues to be one of the sector's most influential international meeting points.
Building on What's Already There As this year's LIV Hospitality Design Awards winners settle into the wider conversation, certain patterns become difficult to ignore. Properties built for warm-climate escape recur across the list. Sustainability surfaces less as a stated goal than as a working method. And several of the strongest projects are renovations rather than new builds. Read together, the winners point toward where hospitality design is heading as the year continues. Designed for the Season Several of this year's winners speak directly to the season ahead. Kona Village , on Hawaii's Big Island, reimagines an 81-acre resort around the history of Kaupulehu, led by Greg Warner and Mike McCabe of Walker Warner. The rebuilt property includes 150 traditional guest hale, a new spa, and five restaurants and bars—two of which carry over from the original resort. Rather than a wholesale reinvention, the project reads as a continuation: a property rebuilt around what made the original site significant in the first place.
The leading trade platform for the lifestyle industry Interior Lifestyle China will return to the Shanghai Exhibition Centre from 8 to 10 October 2026, presenting a curated selection of global products and new designs.
On Norway’s western coastline, where fjords, trade routes, and ancestral narratives have shaped generations, GCR Design AS / Gunvor C Røkholt approaches interior architecture as cultural stewardship. Recognized by Luxury Lifestyle Awards with the title of Best Contemporary Residential Interior Design in Norway for Project KYN , the studio’s work reflects a disciplined commitment to preserving heritage through active, contemporary use.
Recognized for its unique ability to create emotionally resonant spaces that are as visually striking as they are functionally intelligent, JAQUE has been nam ed Best Luxury Interior Design Studio in Arizona by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards in 2025.
Subscribe
Keep up to date with the latest trends!
Popular Posts
Set along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Salil Hotel Riverside – Bangkok can be reached by its private boat, offering guests an arrival that feels less like a simple transfer and more like the arrival in a world of imagination, art and mythical creatures.
Situated in a prime location in the heart of the city, WestCord Eindhoven reveals its newly renovation that blends heritage, contemporary design, smart technology, and refined hospitality. The hotel’s refreshed identity marks a new chapter where history and innovation coexist, offering guests an elevated stay that feels both stylish and intuitively comfortable.
At M&O September 2025 edition, countless brands and design talents unveiled extraordinary innovations. Yet, among the many remarkable presences, some stood out in a truly distinctive way. G&G _ Magazine is proud to present a curated selection of 21 Outstanding Professionals who are redefining the meaning of Craftsmanship in their own unique manner, blending tradition with contemporary visions and eco-conscious approaches.
