Welcome to Wagner's Estate
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Wagners Cottages
Relaxation and absolute privacy are Wagner's Estate's signature experience. Four secluded stone cottages nestled in two acres of gardens with romantic open log fires, deep spa baths and modern amenities.
Rooms
See AllThe Studio The Studio Cottage (Open-Plan | Max 2 Guests)Built up from the historic stone ruins of the original c1860 Wagners Estate stables, the Studio is a magnificent, luxury open-plan retreat. Featuring a soaring vaulted ceiling crafted from locally felled Oyster Bay Pine logs and polished Tasmanian Oak floors, it offers an unforgettable blend of history and comfort.Premium Studio Amenities:Heritage Elegance: Rest easy in a comfortable queen-size bed beneath stunning exposed log timber ceilings, with reverse-cycle air conditioning for year-round comfort.Luxury Bathing: The generous bathroom boasts a romantic double spa bath (with shower over) and cosy underfloor heating for those crisp Tasmanian winter mornings.Gourmet Farm Provisions: Start your day with complimentary continental breakfast provisions, featuring a freshly baked loaf of artisanal sourdough and fresh eggs from our resident chickens.Bespoke Kitchenette: Equipped with convenient kitchenette facilities ideal for preparing light meals, coffees, and breakfast at your leisure.Secluded Walled Garden: Step outside to your own private patio, nestled within a beautiful, completely secluded walled garden—the perfect spot for a quiet morning coffee or evening wine.Please Note: The Studio features a kitchenette (limited cooking facilities) rather than a full kitchen. If your stay requires a full stove, oven, and extensive cooking facilities, one of our other three premium cottages will better suit your needs.Primrose Cottage Primrose Cottage (1 Bedroom | Max 2 Guests)Crafted from locally sourced stone, Primrose beautifully replicates the architecture and charm of our original, heritage-listed c1860 Wagner's Cottage. Surrounded by its own private, tranquil gardens, it offers the ultimate romantic escape on the Freycinet coast.Premium Cottage Amenities:Historic Ambiance: Spend cooler, tranquil evenings relaxing in front of your open log fire, or enjoy instant comfort with modern reverse-cycle air conditioning.Private Breakfast Patio: Step right out the back door to your own private patio, offering beautiful, sweeping rural views over the estate gardens.Romantic Indoor Spa: After a busy day exploring Freycinet National Park or local East Coast vineyards, lay back and luxuriate in your private spa with a glass of Tasmanian bubbles.Gourmet Farm Provisions: Wake up to complimentary continental breakfast provisions, including a freshly baked loaf of bread and fresh eggs from our resident chickens.Full Kitchen for Longer Stays: Enjoy the convenience of a full-size, thoughtfully equipped kitchen, making Primrose perfect for extended getaways.Immerse yourself in the absolute serenity of our two-acre estate, where the ambience beckons you to unwind.Wagner's Cottage Wagner's Cottage (Flagship Heritage | Max 2 Guests)Elegant, spacious, and steeped in local history, our flagship c1860 heritage-listed cottage offers the ultimate premium indulgence for couples seeking a romantic Tasmanian escape.Premium Cottage Amenities:Romantic Attic Retreat: Climb the stairs to a cosy, beautifully appointed attic bedroom featuring a queen-size bed. (Please note: The authentic sloped attic ceiling may not be ideal for taller-than-average guests. Call Kerry to discuss if another cottage might suit you better).Grand Living Space: Unwind on period leather furniture in a generous lounge room showcasing original 1860 architectural features, including a hand-crafted wooden slat ceiling and a large open log fireplace.Reading Den & Library: Disconnect from the world and enjoy a quiet moment tucked away in your own adjoining private reading den and library.Luxury Double Spa Bath: Indulge in a generous bathroom featuring a separate shower, spacious vanity, and a luxurious double spa complete with its own integrated TV.Gourmet Farm Provisions: Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast featuring a freshly baked loaf of bread and fresh eggs collected straight from our resident chickens.Full Kitchen & Private Courtyard: Prepare your meals in a thoughtfully equipped, full-size kitchen. Dine indoors at your leisure, or step outside to enjoy your breakfast in a beautiful, entirely private courtyard garden.Hollyhock Cottage Hollyhock Cottage (1 or 2 Bedrooms | Max 4 Guests)As the largest of our four boutique heritage cottages, Hollyhock features two private bedrooms, each beautifully appointed with a comfortable queen-size bed—ideal for friends travelling together or couples wanting extra space.Premium Cottage Amenities:Relax & Unwind: Pour a glass of Tasmanian bubbles and soak in your private indoor spa bath, or relax by the romantic open log fire.Year-Round Comfort: Features a traditional open fireplace alongside modern reverse-cycle air conditioning for instant heating and cooling.Gourmet Provisions: Enjoy complimentary continental breakfast provisions, including fresh eggs from our resident chickens and a freshly baked loaf of bread.Full Chef's Kitchen: Seamlessly cook your own meals in a fully equipped, full-size kitchen, then gather around the four-person dining table to plan your next adventure.Private Verandah & BBQ: Take in expansive rural views with glimpses of Great Oyster Bay. Fire up your private BBQ, pour a glass of local East Coast wine, and watch the sun set over the stunning Freycinet coastline. Note: Traveling as a single couple? You can choose to book Hollyhock as a 1-bedroom cottage at a reduced rate.
About Us
Read MoreKerry and Michael welcome you to Wagner's Cottages, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history and deep tranquility of our historic estate.
The Wagner Family Legacy
The Estate's history began on 10 May 1855, when Michael and Catherine Wagner, along with their four children, departed Hamburg, Germany, aboard the Wilhelmsburg. After a long 107-day voyage, they arrived in Hobart Town, Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) on 26 August. The family soon journeyed to Great Swanport (modern-day Swansea), initially finding work at 'The Grange' with the Cotton family. By 1860, the Wagners purchased a 10-acre allotment and hand-built their family cottage, fences, and stables using the abundant stone found on the land.
A Story of Resilience
The family's history is deeply woven into the local community, marked by both growth and resilience. In 1865, daughter Fredricka married Constable John Pyke. The following year, her sister Lavinia married John’s brother, Henry Pyke, and the couple had seven children. Tragedy struck the family in 1890 when their horse-drawn cart overturned near Rocky Hills on the way home from a dance. Lavinia was tragically killed, leaving Henry to raise their young family alone. In keeping with the customs of the era, Lavinia's younger sister Catherine stepped in to care for the children and later married Henry.
Michael Wagner passed away in 1891 at age 72, and Catherine followed seven years later at age 82. They rest together in the local Swansea Church of England Cemetery. Their bachelor son, Frederick, lived out his days in the original family home.
Restoration and Today's Estate
In 1975, local farmers Dianne and Malcolm Sinclair purchased a remaining two-acre section of the allotment to restore the historic property for tourism. Over the next two decades, the Sinclairs carefully designed and built two additional properties—Hollyhock and Primrose—ensuring Primrose perfectly matched the heritage aesthetic of the original building. The Studio cottage was later masterfully restored from the stone ruins of the original 1860 stables.
Today, Wagners Estate offers four fully self-contained one- and two-bedroom cottages, each complete with its own secluded private garden. The original 1860 Wagners Cottage is proudly listed on the National Trust Register of Significant Historical Buildings.
