10 Jan 2022
Words Ben Hall Informer Issue 101

Success Story - Franklin Manor

From Brisbane to small town living 

Leanne Roberts

Moved from: Brisbane to Strahan, TAS

Business: Franklin Manor

Distance from Brisbane: 2,441km

Most of us at some stage have experienced an epiphany which proves to be both life changing and positive and for Leanne Roberts, her big realisation occurred while driving through the forests of Tasmania.

Leanne was working in the retail industry in Brisbane and was on holiday in Tasmania when her next big life move dawned on her: she was going to buy an accommodation property on the Apple Isle and change her life.

“When I first visited the west coast of Tasmania in May last year, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the place was. I felt like I was driving around the South Island of New Zealand,” Leanne Roberts said.

“I actively started looking for a property in February with a google search of ‘cottages by the sea’ and Franklin Manor came up and straight away I knew this was the place I wanted,” she said.

Franklin Manor is one of Tasmania’s most popular historic hotels and she bought the grand hotel through ResortBrokers and now has big plans to transform the property into a vibrant hub for both tourists and the local community.

 Located adjacent to Macquarie Harbour, Franklin Manor was originally built for Strahan’s Harbour Master, Captain Edward Miles in 1896. The house has been extensively renovated to convert it into a hotel and provide communal sitting areas and access to the historical gardens shared with local birdlife. 

The boutique historic hotel has 14 guest rooms, with a mix of accommodation types, many of which have serene garden views. The property also has a dining room, a cocktail bar and wine tasting room, a lounge room with open fire, a sitting room with a wood heater and a meeting room.

 “My vision is to return Franklin Manor to its former glory as a real hub and meeting place for local people.

The dining room is only being used for breakfast but back in the day it was a highly rated and successful restaurant with a world class chef and I aim to bring this back so the local people have something special,” Leanne Roberts said.

“The same goes for the bar and wine cellar. We want to serve a wide variety of classic cocktails, beers and spirits and offer afternoon tea on the veranda. I want Franklin Manor to be a place that tourists and locals will want to visit and come back time and time again.”

With lockdowns coming to an end and state and international borders opening up, Leanne believes her timing with the purchase is a good one as people start to travel again.

“A few people I know questioned why I was buying a hotel in the current climate, but I think Tasmania and the west coast will be in high demand and we’re in a good position to make the most of that. 

“I think everyone is starting to realise that once the vaccination rates hit a high level and people start moving again, Tasmania is going to benefit from all the pent up travel demand and accommodation operators will be the big winners.”

Leanne says the shift into accommodation and tourism feels a little “overwhelming” but she’s looking forward to the challenge and settling into running her new business in Strahan.

“I’ve already met with the staff and they’re fantastic so that will help a lot. I also have a lot of transferable business skills and experience and the main thing is we keep providing guests and locals with a great experience when they come here,” Leanne said.

“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity, I absolutely love the west coast. I’ve always wished for a property like this, it’s simply a dream come true.”