The beginning of a private get away.
Our story
We are Matt and Esther and Orchards Nest is a chapter of our story. Matt is my husband - he's a sixth generation apple & cherry farmer - born and raised in the Huon Valley - the eldest son of the only son of the only son of the eldest son.
I'm Esther, my Oma migrated from Germany to Australia on a ship straight after the war, met my English grandfather Terence and had a little blonde girl and boy. The little blonde boy met and married a smiling Chinese Singaporean girl and a short time later, I was born! Skip a few years and Matt left the family farm to do an apprenticeship. He travelled the world and eventually came back to the farm to live and work and build a bachelor pad.
Why here?
Matt has a firm belief when it comes to houses - location location location! He bought some hilly bushland next to the farm to build a cosy cabin on the side of a hill, perched above the orchards, with treetops, clouds and eagles for company and a dreamy view of the mountains beyond and the orchards below.
This was to be his private and secluded escape from the constant demands and intensity of farm life.
The vision.
Where I would have seen an unscaleable mountain, Matt saw potential and a dream. He envisioned a rock driveway wending its way up through the native forests to a private and secluded landing nestled into the hill. Native stringybark and swamp gum timber from the property were felled, harvested and milled locally. Clean square lines, exposed concrete flooring downstairs, visible timber beams and Tas Oak flooring upstairs with windows showcasing the views of the mountains beyond and valley below, gave us what Orchards Nest is today!
Matthew’s bachelor applecart was overturned when we dated, engaged and married in the space of 12 months!
Both of us come from big families and family businesses. We both know first hand the lifestyle of an all consuming, interconnecting and overlapping family life and work life. Starting our married life in this most amazing, peaceful, restful, healing hilltop oasis was a wonderful foundation and it brings us the greatest joy to extend this chapter of our story to our guests.
We truly put our hearts into making our guests feel so welcomed and cared for. Hearing that our guests make their way back into the world, refreshed and filled up, means so much to us. Come stay awhile, let us refresh you.🥂
