Luxury accommodation in South Australia can be found on the Murray River, amidst vineyards and in the magnificent Flinders Ranges. Having provided boutique Barossa accommodation to guests for over 10 years, I’m often asked to recommend what else to see and where to stay while visiting South Australia. I’m also passionate about so many aspects of what South Australia has to offer, and I like to think that if you are reading my website and planning a trip to the Barossa Valley, that I can help you discover some of our other treasures and persuade you to stay longer in this wonderful state!
We know our guests at Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage love that little bit of luxury with special extra things that add to any holiday, so all our recommendations are made with this in mind. The one common thing I hear from our interstate and international visitors is how friendly South Australians are and that is what you will find at any place I recommend. An eye for detail, great hospitality and friendly faces!
The Australasian Circa 1858
Near McLaren Vale, another great SA wine district, and at the mouth of the great Murray River on South Australia’s south coast, is The Australasian Circa 1858. Of course many of our visitors to the Barossa Valley love their food and wine and whilst as a region we have a healthy competitiveness with McLaren Vale, we recognise it also is one of the great wine regions of the world, and they have beaches which we don’t! So a visit to each region offers wonderful contrasts.
Peter and I decided to stay at The Australasian to see if we thought it would be suitable to refer our guests to when they enquired about staying in McLaren Vale and wow, we weren’t disappointed. The Australasian has five luxury suites, each with its own absolutely amazing bathroom. The historic building involved a massive renovation by owners Juliette and Deb, who you will quickly recognise as perfectionists with impeccable taste, as well as being attentive and warm hosts. The building stylishly fuses heritage Colonial Australian features with classical and modern Asian design by blending the old with new, glass with stone, wood with stainless steel and Australian with Asian. The bathrooms are a work of art in themselves! Breakfast is discreetly left at your suite door each morning, the presentation is just stunning.
Their co-located restaurant is exclusively for guest dining and open to the public on Saturday nights. Chef and owner Juliet changes the Asian inspired 3 course menu each month. Check their current menu here >>>
What we love about The Australasian is its location, only an hour from Adelaide in the beautiful old river port town of Goolwa. An easy 30 minute drive and you arrive in the heart of the McLaren Vale wine region for a day of exploring cellar doors and dining. We lunched at Altar Bistro in Willunga (located on your way back to Goolwa from McLaren Vale) and of course the acclaimed Fino is located in Willunga as well. The Australasian is not just close to McLaren Vale, but also the very unique wine region of Langhorne Creek.
Make sure you allow enough time for your stay, because another must do is cruise to the Goolwa Barrage, through the lock and down to the Murray Mouth with views to the Coorong sand dunes. Coorong Cruises depart within walking distance from The Australasian at the main wharf. There is something very special about seeing the Murray Mouth for the first time, knowing the river has meandered 2,508 kilometres before meeting the ocean at this point.
So, if you fancy a luxury room and bathroom with great service and a friendly smile, some delicious food, an opportunity to explore the McLaren Vale wine region and all the lovely things you can see and do in Goolwa, treat yourself to a few nights at The Australasian!
The Frames
If it’s luxury Riverland accommodation you’re looking for, then The Frames is it. A 2014 SA Tourism Awards Winner for Category 25, New Tourism Development, The Frames offers three distinct retreats, located in a private and gated enclave and set on a cliff-top overlooking the mighty Murray River at Paringa, an easy 3 hour drive from Adelaide, or 2 hours from the Barossa.
Owner’s Cathy and Rick are as passionate about the Riverland as we are about the Barossa Valley. With a background in vineyards, citrus businesses and tourism accommodation across three states, they decided to build something spectacular and ultra-luxury in the region they grew up in and love.
A stay at The Frames includes not only the opportunity to cocoon yourselves away from the world, but to venture out and get a taste for the Murray River and the magical moments it offers. A range of experiences includes a sunset cruise with champagne and nibbles in Cathy and Rick’s beautifully restored Gondola or discover backwater secrets where a guided tour through creeks and backwaters showcases the wildlife and bird life of the region.
Other fun things to do include visiting The Woolshed Brewery at Wilkadene Station and the region’s Cellar Doors, Banrock Station, 919 Wines and Angove Winemakers.
Rawnsley Homestead
Looking for luxury accommodation in the Flinders Ranges? Well we’ve covered vines and the might Murray River, so let’s head north to the Flinders. As much as I loved camping in a past life, I personally like a bit of luxury thrown in while enjoying the Outback. And the best news is it’s closer to the Adelaide CBD than you think!
Rawnsley Homestead is located at Rawnsley Park Station about a 4.5 hour drive north of Adelaide, (or 3.5 hours from the Barossa) along really good, sealed roads. Overlooking the southern side of Wilpena Pound, Rawnsley Park Station is ideally situated for exploring South Australia’s beautiful Flinders Ranges. It also makes the ideal stop-off for those travelling further north into the Outback.
We love staying at The Homestead at Rawnsley Park. The views towards Rawnsley Bluff are stunning, (even better from the pool with a Gin & Tonic in hand!), the king bedrooms offer a great nights sleep and the en-suite bathrooms are superb. The stars at night are something to behold. The fully equipped gourmet kitchen offers a great opportunity to cook up your favourite dish and you can dine alfresco on the verandah, or a five minute drive across to the Woolshed Restaurant makes for a fun night out, where you will come across travellers from all parts of the world discovering this awesome region. It’s so easy to tour around, you don’t even need a four wheel drive to see most of the sights. A walk into nearby Wilpena Pound is a must and the scenic flights from Rawnsley Park (the airstrip is 5 minutes from your Homestead!) over Wilpena Pound will leave you with memories that will last forever.
These are just three suggestions if you are looking at visiting regional South Australia. Of course there are a lot more and I’ll save those for a future post.
Adelaide CBD
For Adelaide luxury accommodation (you can’t leave without seeing beautiful Adelaide), then for service, position, attention to detail and just a good vibe, you can’t go past The Playford on North Terrace. Absolutely central to everything you will want to do in Adelaide. Did I mention the tram stops out the front and will take you all the way to Glenelg, one of Adelaide’s favourite beach destinations? Or fancy a day at the cricket or Aussie Rules football? Well, the stunning Adelaide Oval is a short walk across the footbridge over the River Torrens and into the stadium. They have an incredible pool and gym and the breakfast is truly outstanding, not just the standard hotel fare. Highly recommended!
