We have a baby who sleeps in a cot. Do you accept infants?

Yes! We generally recommend that people travelling with babies take the downstairs Four Poster room, partly so you don't have to carry (or, Cameron doesn't have to carry!) all of the baby gear upstairs, and partly because the room configuration allows more space for a cot. Please note, there is a $15 per night charge for infants. We can provide a cot if you don't have one, and we also provide a nappy bucket, highchair and anything else you let us know that you'll need. We're happy to microwave and sanitise things for you, but have also invested in kettles with a large opening which is designed for warming bottles, etc. Just let us know what you'll need and we'll do our best to help out.

Do you have a room that sleeps 3 in separate beds? Can you zip apart your mattresses for ad hoc twin share? Can you put up extra trundle beds or do you have sofa beds?

No, no and no no. Our beds are housed in antique timber frames. They are immovable and unzippable. We have one room upstairs which is suitable for twin share, our other rooms are for couples or singles or friends who don't mind sharing a bed. We have no sofa beds and we don't have trundle beds. We deliberately limit the number of people we have in the house for safety, licensing and insurance purposes, not to mention breakfast capacity. We do not have the capacity for additional, unannounced guests.

I have trouble with stairs. Do I have to climb stairs?

We have one room available downstairs - the Four Poster Ground. There is a small (3 inch) lip on the shower in this room but otherwise it is flat and step free. You will need to be able to manage the 5 inch step up into the house through the front door though. If you're just not keen on carrying bags on the stairs, but can manage them yourself, then don't worry - Cameron is always happy to carry luggage up and down stairs for you. I would not trust him with a fireman's lift though, if I were you.

I've read everything shuts at 6pm in Swansea - is that true?

Of course day time business shut about then. But it is completely untrue that everything does. We have plenty of evening eating spots open year round. It is true most kitchens close at 8pm, particularly if they don't have later bookings. We don't recommend you plan to sit down to eat after 8pm, but if you find yourself arriving late just ring ahead and we'll do our best to find you a table. These are all small businesses in a small town run by good people looking to offer their best. No one wants you to go hungry but it's sensible to readjust your expectations about whether it's reasonable to be heading to dinner at 10pm.

Friends said we didn't need to book anything in Tasmania - is that true?

In our opinion - not true. Sadly 'locals' are the tourism industry's worst enemies sometimes. Whilst it is true that you can often 'go with the flow' and find walk in accommodation and attractions in shoulder seasons, if you don't have bookings in peak season you may honestly be sleeping in your car. Certainly for Christmas through New Year you must make bookings. Generally all of January is very busy throughout the state. Outside of that, if you have your heart set on staying in a particular town or in a particular property you should book to avoid disappointment. Year round, we appreciate you booking ahead to allow us to plan our lives to some degree and plan much needed time off and maintenance work, like carpet cleaning, which requires us to close the house. In winter when it's quiet, the issue becomes businesses deciding to have a well earned break because we thought we could. It really is best for everyone, and the future of the legal accommodation industry, if you plan ahead.

Do we have to visit in Summer? Is it too cold in Winter? When's the best time to visit Tasmania?

Tasmania enjoys four very distinct, equally glorious, seasons. Summer can be very warm and the sun is very direct. If you have your heart set on beach activities and swimming December and January are great. The weather can swing to extremes though - we have had snow on Mt Wellington pre Christmas and a 40 degree day a few weeks later. Pack layered clothes, but don't judge the rest of the year by a cold snap in summer! It definitely doesn't mean it's proportionally colder in winter, as most of our guests discover.

Autumn is, in our opinion, the very best time to experience any part of Tasmania. The weather tends to be very mild and stable. Any bad weather passes very quickly. The nights are starting to cool down but that just means you might get an open fire for a treat, and the days are generally clear and warm. It's perfect.

Winter conditions can vary from year to year. In our 12 years here there has been one very cold icy year, a few wet and wild ones, but most winters lately have been quite mild (our garden doesn't know what to do!). Pack layers, pack some wet weather gear. Enjoy the chill on your fingers and nose, and know that you can warm up later by the fire. Some parts of Tassie are naturally at their best in Winter, but always allow extra time for travelling and drive very carefully if you're not used to wet and icy conditions.

Spring is generally lovely, but can be very windy. We spend most of our spring in the garden, and also take our anniversary holiday around then (generally, to work in the garden!). If you're interested in anything floral - Tulips up in the northwest, or the rose displays and open gardens - spring is the time to be here.

Anytime of the year in Tasmania has its appeal for some reason. We'll all do our best to keep you warm, dry and looked after whenever you visit!