Favourite bits.
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The story of the estate. São Lourenço do Barrocal has been in the same family for more than 200 years, and it was José António Uva (who is eight generation of the same family) who had a vision to turn the family property into a farm retreat he could share with others. The passion and dedication behind José António’s dream, and what he has created, is incredibly inspiring.
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The interiors. Perfectly simple and calming. The interior design was led by José António’s wife Ana’s design studio, AnahoryAlmeida (also responsible for the interiors of many of Lisbon’s finest restaurants) and it is a dream.
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Hortelão, their outdoor restaurant. The most beautiful place to dine between Spring through Autumn, this slow-food, farm to fork restaurant is located next to the pool, right by the organic kitchen garden, and is the perfect place to enjoy a dinner under the stars.
Whale Song Shack
WHALE SONG SHACK
FALMOUTH, TASMANIA • AIRBNB • SLEEPS 4 | 2 BEDROOM | 1 BATH
Whale Song Shack on Tasmania's East Coast is by far and away one of the most special places I have found on my travels so far. I first visited Whale Song back in November 2019 at a time when my heart was a little bit broken and I needed some moments of rest and solitude.
Whale Song was the ultimate healer.
This cute beach shack in the sleepy hamlet of Falmouth, a quiet and secluded corner of the East Coast, was originally built in the 80s by a local fisherman, and in the same family for three generations, before being bought in 2018 and then lovingly restored by its current owners Ing and Clif Daniell. The love that Ing and Clify have poured into this darling shack on the edge of the ocean is palpable. Sleeping up to four guests, Whale Song offers the perfect hideaway and front-row access to the wild raw beauty that the East Coast is famous for.
Funnily enough I have had quite a long connection with Falmouth - long before I happened upon Whale Song - as one of my best friends from university has a house there and we did many a girls trip there through our 20s (and then came back for her wedding years later). It's a super calm and pristine spot, with little around besides Mother Nature in bounds, and a couple of cute places to grab a coffee or a decent potato cake in nearby Scamander (10 mins away).
Falmouth is a 1.5 hour drive from Launceston airport.
Why I love it
I love Whale Song so very much. I love all of Ing's thoughtful little touches - the art (some of which is her own), the ceramics (many of which are by Australian ceramicist, Peta Armstrong), the dried flowers, and little knick-knacks scattered throughout. I love running the outside bath and sitting there with a glass of wine looking over the ocean. I love her comfy beds and beautiful linens. I love the indoor fire, and the outdoor fire pit as well, and wandering down to the rocky beach below.
About the owners
I first met Ing and Clif a couple of years ago via their Airbnb, Seajoy Studio, in Victoria's Jan Juc. I ended up renting it for 3 months and we became fast friends. They are both incredibly kind and fun people. Ing is a renowned Australian artist and is at once warm and vivacious. She is genuine, kind-hearted, and hilarious. Clif is a renowned creative director and is equally warm and kind. The couple and their twin boys have lived on the Surf Coast of Victoria for many years and love the beach, nature and the peace and tranquility of the bush. They are beautiful people and wonderful hosts.
You can check out Ing's artwork, here.
What to do nearby
Coffee at
Swims East Coast Coffee
Surf at
Scamander Beach
Wine & pizza at
Devil's Corner
(45mins away)
What to bring
A cap
A swimsuit
