Luxury accommodation, often promised, often elusive. With your own private pool, spa and sauna, The Frames in South Australia’s Riverland delivers in spades!

We love pampering our guests at Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage, and when we get away we like to be pampered with luxury accommodation ourselves. The Frames, a new contemporary, architecturally designed destination, ticks all the boxes for us. Located in South Australia’s beautiful Riverland and perched on a cliff top overlooking the magnificent Murray River, there are three pavilions; Montage (our pavilion), Pastiche and Collage. We arrived frazzled (as do most of us it seems after organising to get away!) and our own private pool, infra red sauna and hydrotherapy spa combined with a seemingly infinite array of other luxury features, made this our ultimate “chill out” holiday destination.

Inspirational owners Cathy and Rick Edmonds, who grow citrus and grapes on a nearby Riverland farm, are previous Deluxe Accommodation Australian Tourism Award winners for another property, and have used their experience, vision and passion for the Riverland to build a world class destination for us all to enjoy!

 

In a world of sensory overload, The Frames offers the option of being cocooned in tranquility, seeing no-one and doing nothing.  Ideally, take a week if you can. If you need to venture out to wake yourselves up after you’ve been revitalised, there are some serious nature lover and water experiences, with the odd winery or two (or three!) thrown in to the mix. For overseas visitors, this is a quintessential Australian experience destination with a mix of luxury accommodation, the mighty Murray River, Australian wildlife and the delight of experiencing the Aussie lifestyle in the Riverland, which by the way produces some of Australia’s most exceptional fruit. Cleverly and discreetly located in the township of Paringa, guests of The Frames are in a world of their own but with the convenience of everyday needs close by.

 

It’s an easy three hour self-drive from Adelaide airport, or arrange for The Frames to do airport transfers in their brand new luxury 6 seater Volkswagon van from Adelaide airport. This elegant vehicle delivers guests with first class comfort and style and scenic stops can be made along the way. This makes getting there a breeze and you can start to wind down the minute you get off the plane! You can also be chauffered from the Mildura airport 80 minutes away, with direct flights daily from Sydney and other Australian capital cities. How to get there >>

The three pavilions all offer a sense of solitude and calm. Our own pool, hydrotherapy spa and infra red sauna to use whenever desired, with lots of dine-in options, made life very easy!

Sensational bathrooms are a must when it comes to luxury and The Frames delivered. A HUGE bathroom suite, underfloor heating, dual shower heads and massage jets, L’Occitane personal amenities, warm fluffy towels, glass, mirrors and beautiful tiles ticked all the boxes. Adjacent to our bedroom was a gorgeous outdoor bath.

Most South Australians know and love our River Murray and have fond memories of river shacks, camping and houseboats. These are still favourites, but to enjoy the river views from this deck with every possible need at our fingertips takes the experience to another level. You don’t have to cut yourself off completely though. There’s free WiFi, a huge Smart TV and TV in the bedroom, so if your favourite TV show or the cricket is on, you don”t have to miss out. Always a tricky balance!

 

The Montage kitchen and living area is perfectly located between the glass doors to the pool and the deck overlooking the river. It’s equipped with anything you could possibly need and the outdoor kitchen/BBQ area by the pool makes meal preparation a delight. The Nespresso coffee machine ensures a good coffee break when required. There was a great selection of local gourmet goodies provided, including amazing chocolate dipped sun dried orange slices and South Australian made individual gourmet butters.

When you’re ready to venture out there’s an array of experiences to suit everyone. Our favourite and “must do” is Cathy and Rick’s Backwaters Secrets tour. An exclusive personal guided tour which brings the wildlife of the river to you. Eagle’s nests, black swans, pelicans and of course koalas, kangaroos and emus nearby on the riverbanks. Then there’s the Romantic Sunset Cruise in the 100 year old restored wooden boat “The Gondola” where you can enjoy spectacular sunsets and the lights of Renmark. Read more about these experiences here >>>

For avid bird watchers contact Bellbird Birding Tours and if a day of canoeing on the river appeals as well, contact Canoe the Riverland.

There are three local wineries to visit and enjoy, Banrock Station, 919 Wines and Angove Winemakers.

If it’s a beer you really need, then the Woolshed Brewery at Wilkadene Station is an absolute must. There’s nothing like a cold beer on the deck of the brewery overlooking the water at the end of another day of being spoilt!

For your next “we deserve this” luxury holiday, visit South Australia and consider a few days in the Barossa with us at Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage, only an hour’s drive from Adelaide, for your heritage, food and wine fix, then continue on for the easy two hour drive to The Frames in the Riverland for your indulgent private pool, spa, river, birdlife and “slow” fix. Make sure you stay at least another three days to truly reap the benefit of this amazing South Australian luxury destination. We’ll be returning for a week!