Retro $1.15 million 'shack' in Tassie wilderness gets hearts racing

Retro design lovers are swooning over this cool, original $1.15 million Tassie “shack”.

The property at 424 Freycinet Drive, Coles Bay, is in the eye-popping Freycinet National Park, at an address described as “a gateway to the natural wonders of Tasmania’s east coast”.

The two-bedroom, 1966 house, designed by architect Frank Starry, is tucked in the trees at the base of the handsome, monolithic Hazard Mountains, with Mount Amos rising behind, 115 metres from the glorious beach of Wineglass Bay.

SOLD - Price Withheld

424 Freycinet Drive, Coles Bay TAS 7215

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Inside is a time capsule, with the owners staying faithful to the era, from the wood-paneled walls, to the floor-to-ceiling glass and groovy timber kitchen with striped curtains.

“This “shack” shows his penchant for timber panelling, floor to ceiling windows and partitions, with high windows, dividing up an open plan space,” the listing, handled by Roberts Real Estate Bicheno.

“The retro kitchen exudes charm and character, offering a glimpse into a bygone era – and imagine yourself lazing in front of the open fire gazing at the revitalising elegance of Great Oyster Bay.”

Hearts were racing for the property in design appreciation group Retro Houses for Sale, which shares Aussie listings.

“Don’t know where Coles Bay is but looks like I’m moving there,” one fan said.

Another called it a “gem”, one said “bloody beautiful”, and another, when discussing the price hopes, remarked: “It’s all about location, location, location. Coles Bay is one of the most beautiful places in Tassie. It’s extremely popular/sort after (sic) area and that price tag is very reasonable”.

Gentle and respectful updates “ensuring its shack appeal” have been undertaken, including roof repairs.

The agents in charge are Bianca Melling and Paul Whytcross.

There are not enough sales in the postcode to glean a median house price.

Coles Bay is on the east coast of the island, north east of Hobart.

The Tassie capital has reversed six quarters in a row of price decline, sending the city’s market into recovery mode, Domain’s December 2023 House Price Report found.

Homeowners have reclaimed $14,000 of the $71,000 in median value they lost during the downturn of 2022-23. The unit market is “volatile”, Domain says, and increasing, but a long way off peak.

However, it’s not such a leap between apartments and houses in the Tassie capital, where the price difference is 32 per cent.