21428 Tasman Highway, Four Mile Creek. Picture: SUPPLIED
WHEN Frank Bowling and Barbara Makepeace designed their dream home on Tasmania’s East Coast they truly left no stone unturned.
From sustainable living building principles to carefully selected materials, from the inspired floorplans to the orientation of the house, every inch of the property was well considered and then built with a craftsman’s eye for detail.
The definition of a dream home will vary from person to person, and for Frank and Barbara this ocean-side coastal home was their dream.
They bought the land about five years ago after finding it “almost by chance”.
Frank said they knew it was the place for them immediately after laying eyes on the glorious, almost 180-degree ocean views.
“We designed the house with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise those views,” he said.
“It is paradise. You can watch the waves breaking and the whales swimming past each year.”
Total paradise.
Expertly built.
The place to be.
Frank described the home as particularly well built.
“With its insulation properties, orientation and passive solar design we don’t need any heating or cooling, aside from occasionally running a fire if there is an extended run of wet weather, ” he said.
“The walls of the house are about 500mm thick and are made from a rather attractive looking rammed earth and concrete block that looks similar to sandstone.
“Some of the internal walls are lined with limestone, which makes large feature walls.
“And we have a sliding barn door design for the internal doors.”
Frank said the home had a large thermal mass and was completely soundproof, too.
“To hear the waves you have to open a door or crack a window open,” he said.
“The windows, a German design, have a two-way action to swing open or lean back.”
A stunner.
Gorgeous from any angle.
A relaxed sanctuary.
Barbara and Frank named their property Wombat Cove, inspired by the location and the visitors that come by the property.
Less than two hour’s drive from Launceston, 15 minutes to Scamander or 20 to St Marys, this property feels peaceful and private, yet not isolated.
Its absolute coastal frontage includes private beach access.
Indoors or out, there are myriad vantage points from which to enjoy the location.
Inside the house, living and dining areas are highlighted by spotted gum floors that flow to fabulous decks.
One in particular that grabs they eye is a sheltered retreat that is the ultimate indoor-outdoor room.
The house has tall ceilings that give the interiors a spacious, light and airy feel.
An entry foyer is positioned near the centre of the home.
To one side there is a laundry and then the master bedroom suite with an impressive ensuite and the luxury of a walk-in wardrobe.
On the other side of the foyer there is a splendid median room/home office, the main bathroom, a bedroom — both bedrooms boast unforgettable views — and the open-plan living zone, including the kitchen.
Bathroom bliss.
Work and play.
Imagine sitting here anytime you like.
Equipped with European appliances — Miele and Siemens — the chic kitchen features stone surfaces, an island bench and ample storage.
The home office is enhanced by 60Mbps fixed wireless broadband and the property has ethernet cabling and Wi-Fi connectivity throughout.
Back outside there are landscaped areas, a dam filled 24,000-litre water tank, an automated irrigation system, a secure double garage and a workshop.
There is a separate self-contained studio (calling all handymen and artists, this spot’s for you) a 7.8m x 5.7m space with a sun deck and the property’s third bathroom.
Barbara, a trained horticulturalist, has created absolutely spectacular gardens, primarily with Australian natives, alongside extensive vegetable gardens inside pest-proof enclosures. And there is a small vineyard, too.
Produce galore.
Superb details.
One last look at the location.
The orchard is home to cherries, figs, apricots, lemons, passionfruit, berries and much more.
While the impressive features of this property also include 90,000 litres of rainwater storage, three-phase underground power, extensive solar panels, historic sealers’ walls, a Nectre fireplace and a pizza oven, it might be the location and the views that are the elements that stay with you the longest.
No.21428 Tasman Highway at Four Mile Creek is listed with Knight Frank and will be sold by expressions of interest.
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