The Paradise Trust is back and open for business.
That was the message chairman Tom Pryde emphasised at an ''Arisen from the Ashes'' open day at the trust's property near Glenorchy on Sunday.
The event celebrated the completion of several building projects to replace accommodation capacity lost when the trust's 133-year-old homestead was destroyed by fire in May.
Mr Pryde said trust members and supporters endured ''dark days'' after the fire, ''but out of adversity the most remarkable things can emerge''.
''In five short months we have converted ruins, ashes and some despair into something quite special and remarkable.''
A team led by Glenorchy builder Mike Kingan has repaired and renovated the homestead's surviving Southern Wing, while the neighbouring Annexe building has also been refurbished.
A building from Glenorchy School has been relocated to the site, as have eight cabins from the Glenorchy camping ground.
Getting the building projects finished in time for the summer season had been ''critical'' for the trust as it had been relying on donations from supporters to stay afloat, Mr Pryde said.
''We've had no income for the past five months, and all our expenses continued to roll in.''
The first guests began using the refurbished buildings last week, and bookings were ''picking up''.
Although the combined capacity of the Southern Wing and Annexe was now 14 beds instead of the 17 available before the fire, the standard of accommodation was much higher.
The addition of the cabins meant the property's guest capacity was now higher than before the fire, he said.
The trust's insurance claim on the homestead was settled two months ago, and the trust could now focus on planning its replacement.
''It could take up to two years to get something designed, built and opened.''
