Picnic Island is one of those places.

The small island is situated on the East Coast, a short boat ride out of Coles Bay. It looks out onto Freycinet National Park and the rugged Hazard Mountain Range.

Lawyer, planning consultant, and former Victorian MP Clem Newton-Brown purchased the island about 10 years ago.

For many years he used it for summer camping trips with his family, however he eventually decided to open an eco-lodge on the island to share its magic with the world.

"The first year was really about forming partnerships with local businesses to assist with running the island, and ironing out issues," Mr Newton-Brown said.

"Now we're just past our second season, things have been going very smoothly. We were booked out back-to-back from the week before Christmas until mid-February.

"Logistically, the business only works with the great support that we've gotten from the businesses in Coles Bay to deliver this very unique product."

Mr Newtown-Brown said the interest had been phenomenal, and hoped more people realised the East Coast was a great destination year-round.

"Coles Bay in the last couple of years has turned into a winter destination as well," he said.

"Winter is a great time for things like spotting whales, and we're well set-up with very cosy accommodation with an open fireplace. 

"We've got plenty of firewood, and if you did want to just relax in a comfortable space and be warm and take some epic scenery in, it's a great spot for a winter holiday."

Mr Newton-Brown said Tasmania has been promoting itself as a spot that's still open for business during the cooler months.

"I don't think people necessarily come to Tasmania for a beach holiday," he said.

"People do come here for the scenery, and having 35 degree weather is not a prerequisite."

Mr Newton-Brown said one of his favourite parts of having guests stay on the island was receiving confirmation that other people enjoyed similar experiences he and his family had been having for years.

"I love reading [in the guest book] the things that they appreciate - the penguins coming in at night, or the incredible sunsets, waves crashing on the rocks of collecting abalone," he said.

"They're all the things my family have done there for years, and we fell in love with the place. 

"It's very satisfying seeing people come back similarly appreciating the epic natural setting we've got there on the island."

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Picnic Island was granted to Captain Robert Hepburn in 1929.

Captain Hepburn arrived in Tasmania from Edinburgh with his wife and eight children. He requested the island be included in his land grant as he wanted to use it as a breakwater for his boat.

He set up a whaling station at the foot of the Hazards, and would also use his convict labour to mine sandstone from Picnic Island.

Mr Newton-Brown said when constructing the buildings, a block of sandstone was discovered which was likely left by the convicts more than 200 years ago.

It now sits as a hearth underneath the fireplace.

The unique buildings were created by Monte John Latham's architecture practice Debox. Mr Newton-Brown said a striking feature was the copper cladding, which changed colour with the weather and seasons.

The accommodation on the island consists of five bedrooms. From there, a ramp spans from the accommodation to the main building, which houses the kitchen, sitting area, and bathrooms.

A big feature of the room is the incredible views across the water, and the amazing hanging fireplace.

Picnic Island is home to hundreds of little penguins and shearwaters.

During the day, a walk around the island will reveal burrows and tracks. But it isn't until the sun sets that you see the permanent residents face-to-face.

Red-light torches are available to ensure you don't spook the wildlife when exploring the island at night.

If you're lucky, you can sometimes spot dolphins and whales off the island's coast.

Picnic Island can accommodate a total of 10 guests at a flat rate of $1475 per night, including return transport in the Freycinet Aqua Taxi.

"We've priced it at a point where it's comparable to getting five rooms at Freycinet Lodge," Mr Newton-Brown said. 

"So while it's more expensive than renting a holiday house, it's certainly in the range where it's achievable for people going on a holiday - it just comes down to how many people you want to share the island with."

Inquiries can be made for prices on longer and off-peak stays. Mr Newton-Brown recommended stays of three nights.

For more information, visit picnicisland.com.au or email picnicisland@bigpond.com