When it comes to rustic romance don't think only of 'la belle France'. Because here in southern Tasmania we offer a historical rural property, a perfect impression of provincial France, only 40 minutes from the airport. It's more than just a trick of the light which makes you think of Provence: it's the greater intrigue of geography and climate. At 42 degrees south of latitude in Tasmania we have a landscape & climate much like Mediterranean latitudes of old Europe. Just ask the winemakers of the Coal Valley, 15 minutes from this lovely old Colebrook house & gardens. Or ask the wine buffs who love the rich flavours of the local Pinot noir. Or ask the cheesemakers just down the road. To see this house is to fall in love with it. Convict built around 1840, part of the downstairs once comprised an old colonial store & butcher shop. This has now been converted into a multi-purpose room, though the history endures because the present owners have retained the butcher's hooks, hanging from the high ceilings. The effect is that everyone who inspects this room immediately thinks of a restaurant. French of course. But this is also a substantial two-storied residence with 4 bedrooms & a large leafy garden into which you could happily settle & take your time contemplating all the possibilities. There's work to do but generally the house carries the 180 years with good grace. Outside 2 delightful stone buildings with lofts suggest all kinds of conversions, most obviously guest accommodation. There's plenty to keep visitors busy. Colebrook sits at the head of the rich & fertile Coal Valley with wineries, cheesemakers, orchards, berry farms & restaurants all less than 20 minutes away. The historical villages of Richmond, and Oatlands are within similar reach. There's also trout fishing & golf nearby. The garden is in flower right now, with roses and greenery blending pleasingly with the warmth of the old convict brick & the weathered stone. In colonial times people lived out of this garden. With its fruit trees, herbs & strutting chooks, it is easily imagined with a little work you too could be self-sufficient here. In keeping with the French feel of the place, artichokes flourish with little attention. And to add a final touch of the old Mediterranean, a kilometer down the road a company of Benedictine Monks have moved in & the brothers are now busy building a monastery. Their liqueur should do nicely in the garden after a meal of braised chicken & artichokes.