THE place to truly unplug
A nostalgic miner’s cottage turned coastal retreat.
Nestled between rugged beaches and rambling green hills in beautiful Bunurong Country in south-east Victoria, Thagg Haus is the kind of place where it’s impossible not to slow down and truly settle in. Once upon a time a humble miner’s cottage, this century-old home in Wonthaggi, a quaint town located 130 kilometres south east of Melbourne, has been lovingly reimagined by interior designer and creative Kristy Palmer.
Duvet Set in Summer Floral, Double-side Quilt in Natural Check/Natural, Pillowcases in Yellow Stripes, Pillowcases in Ochre
Kirsty has crafted a space that feels immediately warm and welcoming, it’s a retreat in the truest sense of the word, made for modern travellers in search of comfort, connection and a little coastal charm.
From its olive-green bathtub and wood-fired pizza oven to queen beds dressed up in butter-soft C+G linens (naturally), every corner of Thagg Haus feels intentional. Kirsty has layered each corner with vintage charm, thoughtful design and a deep sense of ease.
With its soaring ceilings, nostalgic front porch, and a sprawling backyard it’s a space made for winter escapes and summer celebrations. Thagg Haus mornings are made for coastal walks and evenings end beside the fire, glass of red in hand. Plus, there’s no TV—just shelves of books, puzzles and games—encouraging guests to truly unplug and recharge.
We spoke to Kristy about her journey from city life to country dreaming, the inspiration behind the Thagg Haus aesthetic, her favourite local haunts, and what’s next for this beautiful little stay with a big heart.
Duvet Set in Summer Floral, Double-side Quilt in Natural Check/Natural, Pillowcases in Yellow Stripes, Pillowcases in Ochre
Tell us how the sweet miners cottage, Thagghaus came about?
For the last decade or so, I had been dreaming of one day relocating my life down the coast. As amazing as Melbourne is, I feel most myself surrounded by nature and the ocean.
Weekends away, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, with loved ones were one of my favorite things to do. I’d spend hours searching for amazing Airbnbs and new places to visit for a mini vaycay, waiting to fill my cup with some fresh country air. It was after one of these weekends away, that I came across the listing for what is now Thagg Haus. It's one of those love at first sight stories, as soon as we stepped foot inside, we knew it was perfect. Combining my love for getaways and my background in interior design, I knew I had found my next chapter.
We love that you have C+G linen for your guests to enjoy - what colours do you have?
We absolutely love our C+G linen—it's truly the best, and our guests rave about it! We've recently added a touch of sunshine to the mix, with a combination of the yellow stripe, ochre and summer floral linens. It’s the most effortless way to change up our bedrooms.
What can guests explore and enjoy while staying there and in the area?
Thagg Haus is the perfect base for exploring all the beauty that South Gippsland has to offer. Our favourite things to do are pack a picnic full of goodies and cruise down the Bunurong Coastal Drive to discover secluded bays, beautiful beaches, or look for sea creatures in rock pools at low tide, our favourite is Shack Bay (its giving Euro vibes). We also love heading into the hills to the Sunday Kongwak Market, I never leave empty handed. There’s so much to see and discover, all within easy reach. We are very lucky.
Duvet Set in Summer Floral, Double-side Quilt in Natural Check/Natural, Pillowcases in Yellow Stripes, Pillowcases in Ochre
At C+G we believe it is so important to relax, how can your guests relax and turn off?
We want Thagg Haus to feel and be enjoyed as a home away from home. It’s where you can have a sleep in and enjoy a slow morning with a hot cup of coffee. There’s so much beauty around the area, you can easily switch off. For me, it's sitting by the ocean and listening to the waves crash or going for a walk along the George Bass Coastal Walk. Afterwards, the perfect way to unwind is to run yourself a hot bath in our cute green tub and pour a glass of wine. If it’s chilly out, light the fire and cuddle up with your favorite book, or sit around with your loved ones talking into the night.
What is next for Thagghaus?
At the moment we’re really excited to continue improving our guest experience with every stay. Not long ago, we hosted a Spring long lunch to welcome the warmer weather and celebrate a beautiful friends’ birthday. It really inspired me to ensure Thagg Haus is not only a home but a place where you can create special memories. I’d love to really put my energy into improving our outdoor space. We think it would be perfect to host some of life’s fun celebrations - birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers - maybe even an intimate wedding! Hopefully a venue you can hire for events soon. We will keep dreaming up ideas, big and small.
