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If you’ve ever dreamed of escaping to a far-flung island with nothing but a good book and a salty breeze, Cocoon: Creating Homes with Heart will get you halfway there. In her latest book, author Ali Heath explores soulful spaces shaped by comfort, nature, and intuition—and one of the most transportive chapters lands on Satellite Island, a secluded 84-acre hideaway off the coast of Tasmania. Owned by the Alstergren family, the island has been lovingly transformed into a serene retreat where pared-back Scandinavian interiors meet untamed Australian wilderness. Below, Heath shares the story of how this remote outpost became a deeply personal sanctuary.
Satellite Island is one of the last stops before Antarctica—an island, off an island, off an island. Accessible only by helicopter or private boat from nearby Bruny, it is a cocooning getaway that is the epitome of seclusion.
Owned by the Alstergren family, Kate and Will split their time between here and Melbourne, enjoying the island with friends and their three grown-up boys, while also creating private getaways for small groups of up to eight guests.
“We inherited the island from Will’s Norwegian uncle Ian, who bought it in the 1960s. The cliffs reminded him of his childhood roots, and the island became the one great love of his life,” says Kate. “He lived a solitary life here, built a simple home, kept sheep, started a salmon farm, and fostered his passion for painting and writing.”
As you approach, dramatic sheer sea cliffs, ancient blue gum trees, and indigenous bush drop away to unspoilt pebble beaches and hidden coves. In summer, you can enjoy panoramic sea views—looking out over quiet, blue-green waters and the occasional sailing boat—while in winter the horizon extends to the snowcapped Hartz Mountains on the opposite side of the wide strait.
Kate has breathed new life into the 34-hectare (84-acre) island—with the help of Australian stylist Tess Newman-Morris—artfully transforming the original home into a three-bedroom, wood-clad summerhouse, and a former salmon shack into a two-bedroom boathouse. Sited directly at the water’s edge, you can fall asleep with the side doors wide open, looking out to star-filled skies and the sound of the gently lapping sea.
From the top of the island at Last Glimpse Point, rustic bell tents provide an unrivalled spot to watch the sun set—and on occasion, the dancing Southern Lights.
Inspired by their family’s Norwegian roots and love of simple Scandinavian aesthetics, the interiors are understated and informal, with whitewashed walls against a muted palette of blue, grey, and stone. Relaxed furniture, precious family antiques, and organic materials encourage you to linger and unwind—think soft linens, relaxed cottons, and sun-bleached woods, layered with sculptural foliage, calming beeswax candles, and many natural treasures collected from around the island.
A precious armoire is home to heirloom Nordic crystal, modern glassware, ceramics, and antique silver cutlery, encouraging a sense of occasion every day.
“For me, the idea of cocooning is allowing nature and our living spaces to merge as one,” says Kate. “I wanted the interiors to feel like home and to make everyone who visits feel very relaxed. When you leave the mainland, you let go and become very present in the moment—connected to each other within nature, but with the freedom to explore the island in your own unique way.”
More recently, Kate has continued to evolve the feeling of sanctuary, creating a new open-sided space for outdoor events and extended family gatherings. And with the help of gardener Fiona Brockhoff, she has further developed fruit orchards and vegetable gardens, and added a drought-tolerant garden with native plants around the house.
With soft grasses, Westringia hedging, Correa alba, wonderful Casuarina trees, pink-flowered Grevillea plants, and colourful Banksia, the new garden meanders down to a secluded outdoor bath area.
“New ideas always begin with family enjoyment in mind, to keep things natural and homely. The island is filled with memories of 21st birthdays, raucous Christmas stays, and soon a wedding for our eldest son. We have poured a lot of love into this place—it feels like our fourth child, and Ian’s spirit is very much alive here,” says Kate.
Days are spent by the water—beachcombing the ancient rock shelf, wild swimming and snorkelling, or enjoying Pearl, the family’s old wooden boat (a gift from a friend), which hangs off the pontoon.
“The underwater world is magical and abundant. Dating back nearly 300 million years to the Permian period, it has a life force of its own. I love the wildness—free diving and pulling enormous abalone from the sea floor. Finely sliced, they are delicious—and it’s the same with the wild scallops and urchins. I have never forgotten the taste of my first ones here,” explains Kate.
Whether exploring the rugged landscape, reading by the water’s edge, relaxing by an open fire, or shucking wild oysters from the jetty, stays here are about slowing down.
“If you are lucky to experience the phosphorescence-rich waters at night, it feels like you are swimming among a thousand stars or in a sea of diamonds.
Time stands still on the island, and we have learned so much immersed in its raw beauty. When people visit, they feel as though they have discovered a secret world—places like this are hard to find, and for us there is nowhere more special.”
Excerpted with permission from Cocoon: Creating Homes with Heart by Ali Heath © 2025. Published by Mitchell Beazley.