Ancient Tasmanian storage building is now a five-star escape

The apartment

The Bond Store, Stanley, Tasmania

Check-in

After an overnight crossing on the Spirit of Tasmania, it feels intuitive to drive clockwise towards the east coast. I’ve done it twice before, but this time we’re going against the spin to Stanley in the north-west, a one hour and 40-minute drive from Devonport. More than a fishing village, Stanley is the gateway to the vast wilderness of the Tarkine forest. For the next two days, the Bond Store will be our waterfront base.

Built between 1859 and 1861 as a wharf store, the bluestone building has been transformed into two luxury self-contained apartments. Ours is the one-bedroom Bond Store ONE, the other is the two-bedroom Bond Store TWO. The naming is as simple as the key-box instructions. As they opened in October 2025, we are among the first to stay.

The look

If these bluestone walls could talk, they would speak of storms and shipwrecks and generations of families whose lives were entwined with the sea. Master stonemason Josh O’Connor spent a year repairing the original walls, while owners Julian and Tracey Jacobs – sixth-generation locals, no less – worked with heritage architects David Denman & Associates to transform the warehouse into luxury accommodation.

Leather armchairs, soft throws, vintage finds and original family heirlooms feature throughout, with contemporary touches such as bespoke lighting, a Scandi-style fireplace and art by Tasmanian creators ensuring the space never drifts into Granny May territory. There’s a two-person sauna in the courtyard, which – for those more heroic than this cold-averse reviewer – invites a dip in the sea afterwards. I prefer to pass the hours in the light-filled sunroom. Private parking, EV charging, smart TVs – tick, tick, tick.

The room

The upstairs bedroom works the old-new vibe to perfection. The porthole and sloped, timber-lined ceiling establishes a maritime mood, balanced by contemporary cabinetry and relaxed linens layered across the king bed. An earthy palette of olive green, tan and charcoal reflects the landscape outside. Nothing has been overlooked – from the electric blanket to a choice of pillows that would keep Goldilocks happy to robes, slippers and yoga mat. Before awarding a perfect score, I evaluate the lighting plan, which even the most esteemed properties can fail. The deep bathtub sits beneath skylights, which makes daytime reading a joy, matched by excellent lighting over the bathroom mirror and easy-to-operate bedside lights. Even the wheel-sized porthole, which could shine light into the room at some ungodly hour, comes with a custom-made cover that fits neatly over it.

Food + drink

The all-Tasmanian welcome basket includes sparkling wine, cheese, sweet treats and crackers, with breakfast provisions of sourdough, eggs, milk, honey, yoghurt and granola. There are fresh-ground beans for the De’Longhi coffee machine as well as a selection of T2 teas. You could cook up a storm in the large, state-of-the-art kitchen, but on the first night, we dine at the Stanley Hotel Bistro, famous for its fresh-off-the-boat seafood and Cape Grim beef; on the second, we pick up takeaway from Hursey Seafoods.

Out + about

Perfectly positioned between the harbour and the base of the soaring monolith known as the Nut, the heart of the town is a five-minute stroll away. I start on the Heritage Walk but am distracted by billboards showing where scenes from the 2016 movie The Light Between Oceans were filmed. I’m pulled off course again by the stretch of Victorian-era cottages reborn as boutique shops and galleries. Don’t miss Providore 24 for gourmet supplies and Stanley Wine Bar for a splash of whimsy. The Nut calls (walk to the top or take the chairlift) but not as loudly as little penguins coming ashore at Godfrey’s Beach (September to March). The 125-kilometre Tarkine Drive loop road is one of the best day-trips in the country.

The verdict

Exhibiting a keen sense of place, character-driven design and quality craftsmanship, the Bond Store delivers a unique retreat that celebrates the building’s past.

Essentials

Rates for Bond Store ONE from $590 for two people, depending on the season. See stanleybondstore.com.au

Our rating out of five
★★★★★

Highlight

Sitting on the deck as the sky flames red, listening to the sounds of little penguins calling from the rocks below.

Lowlight

Only one toilet and it is upstairs.

The writer stayed as a guest of the Bond Store. See stanleybondstore.com.au.