Cambridge House B&B

A Trip to Japan in Tassie!

On a whim we decided to treat ourselves to a one night get away and, looking for somewhere close to home, settled on the Huon Valley. A friend had been telling us for years to try Cambridge House as our interest in all things Japanese would ensure we loved this experience. I had hesitated previously as older style houses tend to not be conducive to wheelchair access. So, not holding much hope, I messaged the owners to ask their advice on accessibility. Their response was instant and extremely helpful. Thana sent through videos of the pathway through each part of the accommodation as well as door measurements. She also offered assistance to get into the property. She called me to ask for clarification and to check what we needed. With this reassurance and level of support, we booked with confidence. We were so glad we were able to visit as the whole weekend surpassed our expectations and resulted in a wonderful weekend of food, relaxation and feeling thoroughly spoiled!

I was a little unsure which section to post this in as it falls under accommodation and food so I have posted about the accommodation experience here and will do the dinner under the restaurant section. The tariff for accommodation generously includes a welcome drink, afternoon tea and breakfast.

Click here to find out about our sumptuous Japanese dinner at Cambridge House.

On arrival at Cambridge House we were greeted at the car, ushered into the beautiful warm living room and treated to a welcome drink. We were delighted to discover it was house made yuzu liqueur, made with locally sourced fruit. The tangy taste was very refreshing.

Cambridge House is one of Geeveston's oldest houses, dating back to 1870. It sits within a lush garden and is a very picturesque spot, nestled beside the river. The owners have cleverly kept the rich history as well as incorporating a Japanese ryokan feel to the accommodation. It is totally unique!

The lounge is a communal space and felt very cosy with the leather couches, books to peruse and ambient lighting. I could imagine settling in during cold winter days to read and enjoy a glass of Tassie wine. There are five accommodation spaces in the property, each with a unique Japanese name and flavour.

We were shown into our beautiful room to relax for a while before afternoon tea by the river.

The rooms are beautifully appointed and are furnished with rich fabrics and antiques. Our room, The Ume Room, was spacious and welcoming. There were lots of welcoming touches, Japanese flourishes and a complimentary mini-bar.

The bed looked amazing and was a good height for John to access. The mattress and pillows were both comfy.

There were a number of seating areas in the room and quite a few mirrors. There were also two very large wardrobes so plenty of space to store luggage, clothing etc. Thana had ensured the heating was on for us and the room was toasty warm.

After settling into our room, we wandered down to the river to enjoy afternoon tea and hoped to glimpse a platypus or two. This was our first taste of the impressive and delicious fare provided by our hosts. Kaz (Kazumasa Yazawa) is a wonderful chef with years of experience across many parts of the world. We are blessed that he has settled in our corner of it!

We could select a beverage to enjoy with our Afternoon Tea Set - tea, Tasmanian Whisky, sake or more of the yuzu-shu. John selected sake and I had more of the delicious yuzu. The treats that accompanied our liquid refreshments were set out on a little table beside the river and were a feast for the eye as well as the taste buds! Each treat was carefully explained to us and the stories of local produce and house made care and attention were seriously impressive. We enjoyed Iberico ham, sesame coated peanuts, umeboshi, matcha mochi and fresh plum.

The umeboshi(pickled plums) were made with plums from a tree on the property and were sweet and sour at the same time - absolutely delicious, especially with the rich ham. The fresh plum was from a local farm and was firm in texture, ripe and juicy, tangy and tart. In my opinion, the best thing on te platter. The matcha mochi was also made fresh in house and was gooey and bitter sweet, just as green tea mochi should be. We enjoyed everything and found it to be just right in serving size. We were aware of the degustation dinner ahead of us!

Sadly, even thought the time of day was about right and our host had pointed out the abode of three platypuses, we did not catch so much as a glimpse. However, we were treated to a show by the trout leaping about catching insects. We enjoyed the peace and stillness in the late afternoon before heading back to our room.

In each room, there are bath salts to prepare your own 'onsen' in the claw-footed bath. Our hosts recommended a half hour soak in the 'Japanese way'. I took advantage of the relaxing bath while John headed to the lounge area to read and relax.

At 6pm we made our way to the intimate dining room to enjoy a sumptuous feast of flavours and culinary delights. The seasonal degustation menu was amazing - click here to find out more!

After dinner we chatted to our hosts and another diner, before heading to bed.

I awoke early to venture back to the river to try to spot the elusive platypus. Sadly, I still did not see one but I did enjoy a peaceful wander around Geeveston. Staying at Cambridge House is inclusive of breakfast and this was another highlight of our stay. Breakfast is a traditional Japanese affair, including a range of beautifully presented dishes, each again with a story of its own. We enjoyed Japanese genmaicha tea with its distinctive nutty flavour, made on the premises. Coffee was on offer but we decided to stick with the tea for authenticity.

We started our breakfast with two tastes of fresh juice, made with two different varieties of apples. The flavour of each was unique, made with a rare and difficult to source variety. The juice needed to be consumed in a timely way so that it did not oxidise which is why our hosts prepare it freshly for each guest.

We were then presented with a gorgeous bento box with two layers, each holding beautiful dishes filled with colourful and artfully presented treats. It included house made miso, the best I have ever had, made with pork cured by the chef; house made pickles, pumpkin, Japanese omelette and potato croquette.

Just as we were gasping over the amazing contents of the bento boxes, Chef wheels in a trolley with a huge crock full of beautiful rice, flavoured with sweet turnips and a covered dish with smoked salmon, with the applewood smoke swirling dramatically around the gorgeously coloured salmon. Once again, Chef proudly told us about his recipe for the salmon and his process for smoking. The smoked salmon was the best I have ever had - I am still dreaming about it!! We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, savouring the mix of flavours and textures. I am such a fan of Japanese breakfasts and this one was exceptional.

After breakfast, we prepared for our departure, full of delicious food and precious memories. Check out is at the very reasonable time of 10.30. Our hosts gave us some gorgeous little gifts on leaving, including a beautiful handwritten note and then waved us off with a big smile.

As we drove away, we commented that we felt we had experienced a mini-trip to Japan and how lucky we felt to have experienced such beautiful hospitality so close to home. Our Cambridge House visit was simply amazing. Our host were gracious, welcoming and full of passion for what they offer as a unique experience. The food was incredible from start to finish - every single dish was delicious. The surroundings were peaceful and cosy. Whilst the accommodation is not wheelchair friendly, our host made our visit possible and were happy to help. Our advice would be to contact them with your own particular needs - they are only too happy to help!

We will certainly be returning - we would love to try the next seasonal menu!

The gorgeous garden: