24-Hour Room Service: Edge Of The Bay, Freycinet, Tasmania

Nothing quite prepares you for the view as you approach the township of Coles Bay, on Tasmania's Freycinet Peninsula. As you circumnavigate a bend, the Hazards - a row of pink granite mountains - rear up before you. They are framed by the vivid greens of the native bush and the sapphire waters of Great Oyster Bay.

Nothing quite prepares you for the view as you approach the township of Coles Bay, on Tasmania's Freycinet Peninsula. As you circumnavigate a bend, the Hazards - a row of pink granite mountains - rear up before you. They are framed by the vivid greens of the native bush and the sapphire waters of Great Oyster Bay.

You can gaze at this gorgeous vista all day from Edge Of The Bay, a "boutique" resort where the waterside cabins have floor-to-ceiling windows. Or step outside and walk along the near-deserted beach that lies a few paces from your door.

It is difficult to imagine a more heavenly setting than the one enjoyed by this beautiful, low-key resort, located right on the shores of Great Oyster Bay. A leisurely half-hour stroll along the beach brings you to Coles Bay, with its cluster of shops and cafés. A five-minute drive away is the entrance to Freycinet National Park, which has spectacular scenery and a network of walking tracks.

A popular walk leads to Wineglass Bay, a perfect horseshoe of white sand. But after observing the Hazards change colour as light strikes them at different times of day, you might feel tempted to climb one of them. A strenuous track winds up Mount Amos; the views from the summit are sensational.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Edge of the Bay Resort, 2308 Main Road, Coles Bay (00 61 3 6257 0102, www.edgeofthebay.com.au).

You need a car to reach the Freycinet Peninsula, which is on Tasmania's east coast, a two or three-hour drive from the capital, Hobart. Follow the A3 north to just past Swansea, and then turn off to Coles Bay.

Transport: There are numerous daily flights between Sydney and Hobart. Qantas return fares from A$310 (£130); Virgin Blue from A$335 (£140). All the main car hire companies operate out of Hobart airport; basic daily rates start at A$50 (£21) a day.

ARE YOU LYING COMFORTABLY?

There are 13 modern double-bedded "suites", and nine older two-bedroomed cottages for families. The suites are stylishly furnished, with minimalist decor. The cottages have log fires. The resort has an excellent restaurant, The Edge, which also supplies a takeaway continental breakfast for A$12 (£5).

Freebies: Use of bicycles, rowing boats, tennis courts.

Keeping in touch: Cottages and suites have TV, video and CD player; suites have telephones.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Suites cost A$245 (£102) per night in high season and A$190 (£79) in low season. Cottages cost A$210 (£87) in low season and A$185 (£77) in high season.

I'm not paying that: You can camp for free at Wineglass Bay, if you don't mind a 90-minute walk to reach the site.