THE KEEP TASMANIA
Q&A With Jono Stagg (owner of The Keep)
In this insightful blog, we sit down with Jono Stagg, the passionate owner of The Keep, a stunning couples' retreat perched atop the Blue Tier in northeast Tasmania. Jono shares the remarkable story behind The Keep—from its origins as a modern take on a Scottish castle to the vision he and his partner, Sue, have for creating an unforgettable escape. We delve into the challenges of running an off-grid luxury retreat in such a remote and rugged location, the inspiration behind their cosy and stylish redesign using luxurious linen from IN THE SAC, and what sets The Keep apart as a unique destination for couples seeking beauty, tranquillity, and connection. Discover how Jono and Sue's love for the property fuels their journey in turning The Keep into the ultimate romantic getaway.
Photography @jake.weisz
Could you share the story behind The Keep and how it came to be?
The Keep sits at the top of the easternmost peak of Blue Tier, offering uninterrupted views of northeast Tasmania to Flinders Island. It's called The Blue Tier because of the sapphires found here in the 1880s. The surrounding area is all forest, with Tas Parks and Wildlife managing it as a protected reserve to the west. The Keep was built on a plateau revealed by logging. Inspired by the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, it features three levels of square sandstone perched on a pinnacle. Interestingly, it was approved under old planning rules, and such a build on a ridge would no longer be allowed today.
What inspired the establishment of The Keep?
We want it to be a place where couples can escape, surrounded by beauty and immersed in luxury.
When we drove up for the first time, Sue started crying—the beauty just hits you. If it had been run well, we would have stayed and taken photos.
The planning, design, and building process took 7 years, becoming a Grand Design’s saga. The couple separated, and it became an Airbnb. The investor realised the logistical challenges of managing such a remote location. It was being run like a motel, but we saw its potential as the ultimate couples’ retreat. We remortgaged our house, put in an offer, and bought it 2 years ago. Since then, we've been working hard to lift it to the standard we believe it should be.
We restyled it with warmer, more natural colours and textures, like IN THE SAC. We also got rid of the minibar.
Our long-term plan has bronze, silver, and gold levels. So far, we've implemented bronze and are transitioning to silver, with IN THE SAC included all the way to gold.
Photography @jake.weisz
What has been the biggest hurdle in transforming The Keep into the ultimate couple’s retreat?
There are a lot of hurdles,
- It's remote and isolated
- it's wild and windy
- It's 100% off-grid
- It has a 5km driveway that needs work after every rainstorm
But all these hurdles are the rest of the features that make it special. Unfortunately, our biggest hurdle is the same as every business. Trying to run it now as a profitable business and still give guests a premium experience while investing everything we can to take it to the next level. Every time power ball jackpot, we dream "If we win we'll build the bigger deck with the sunken fire pit, asphalt the drive, put a sauna on the lake etc. It's a case of prioritising bangs for bucks in terms of guest experience (and beautiful bed linen from IN THE SAC was one of our 1st purchases)
What is the best time of year to visit The Keep, and why?
It may be a surprise, but I love winter at The Keep. The weather is generally more settled, the night skies are amazing and when the storms come, boy howdy, they come hard and fast. (Not sure Sue would be too happy with this one but in winter I like to stomp around the bush, and I never have to think of snakes)
What are the highlights that set The Keep apart from other retreats?
The drive to The Keep starts at an airport, then a highway, then progressively narrower roads until trees touch both sides of the car. After passing the lamp posts, you're on top of the world, with 360-degree views of the Bay of Fires, Flinders Island, and endless forest.
The Keep itself is a sandstone castle perched on the edge of the Tier. Its cyclone-rated square structure stands strong against mountaintop winds and is visible from miles away.
Outside, it's dramatic and stark; inside, it's warm, cosy, and subtly luxurious. The retreat is designed for couples with one king-size bed, appointed with linen from IN THE SAC. Upstairs, three floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the Bay of Fires. It has no TV, but there's a record player and a vast vinyl collection. The outdoor bath, carved from a single piece of granite, is perfectly positioned to view the Bass Strait.
Photography @roz_and_loz
Discover more at:
thekeeptasmania.com.au
@thekeeptasmania