The Most Romantic Escapes in South Australia
From McLaren Vale's The Vineyard Retreat to the luxurious One Kangaroo Island, these are the most romantic getaways in South Australia.
One Kangaroo Island
One KI is one of two five-bedroom luxury retreats on offer via One Kangaroo Island (pictured top) positioned among a private and pristine stretch of wilderness with unbeatable, almost-on-the-sand views of one of the most beautiful beaches on Kangaroo Island. As well as the double-king bedrooms, the modern and stylish lodgings feature a library, dining room and two living rooms and the fully inclusive service includes breakfast and dinner, daily housekeeping and local wines. Spend your time eating, drinking and strolling along the beach – outdoor types can make use of the kayaks and paddleboards on site. Sister property Walcowrie is available as an accommodation-only option.
Dining
Chef-prepared three-course dinners featuring seasonal local produce and South Australian wines are included as part of your stay.
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Stargaze from your private outdoor bathtub at night and relax on what amounts to your own stretch of beach shared only with the local wildlife.
Jimmy Smith’s Dairy
There’s no road number and the GPS struggles to pinpoint the address: two indicators of the style of seclusion at Jimmy Smith’s Dairy. And although it’s ultimately easy to find – and still close to the hubs of Port Elliot and Victor Harbor – part of the appeal of this B&B lies in the fact that it’s a little incognito. The rest of the attraction is pure aesthetics. Owners Noel and Robyn Akmens spent years transforming this derelict bluestone dairy. Now, it’s all eye-catching artworks, polished bamboo floors, luxe bathrooms and Noel’s finely handcrafted furniture. The light-filled master bedroom faces a charming native garden, perfect for contemplation while sipping a morning coffee. Outside, the wooden deck has views that extend across the fields and out to the ocean – just the spot to spend the day in each other’s company. The barbecue and kitchen mean it’s easy to spend a night in: think dinner and a nightcap in the courtyard. – Jo McKay
Dining
Noel and Robyn will happily suggest local eateries for dinner; most likely that’ll be the Flying Fish in Port Elliot or Eat @ Whalers in nearby Encounter Bay.
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The ensuite has his-and-hers showers.
The Vineyard Retreat
You could easily drive past the four cottages of The Vineyard Retreat without spotting them – they barely rise above the surrounding vines laden with grapes. But once you’re inside, they command your attention through their sheer size and opulence – particularly The Highland, which features a vast living room with velvet curtains, plush rugs, an open-plan kitchen and two bedrooms with 1200-thread- count linen. The wraparound verandah is the pièce de résistance, offering sweeping views of McLaren Vale’s interlocking vineyards, less than an hour south of Adelaide. Raid the pantry packed with regional produce (eggs from a free-range farm up the hill, say, or red-gum- smoked bacon from the local butcher) and cook a hearty breakfast. Then wander around the six-hectare property, which even has a hot tub among the vines. – Akash Arora
Dining
Besides the breakfast supplies in the pantry, some of McLaren Vale’s finest restaurants are found nearby, including d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant for lunch and The Salopian Inn for an Asian-inspired dinner.
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Take a scenic flight in a helicopter that collects you from the retreat and flies you over Onkaparinga Gorge, the Fleurieu Peninsula and McLaren Vale’s wineries.
The Louise
A romantic weekend away calls for the three things The Louise serves up in spades: privacy, luxury, indulgence. Each of the property’s 15 suites is a kind of self-contained compound, with a courtyard in the front and a rear deck looking out to rolling hills. There’s no schlepping to a communal dining room for a buffet breakfast – just fill out a form and breakfast is brought to your door. And you’ll find complimentary house-baked biscuits and Nespresso machines, plus lavish robes and slippers for lounging about. Things become especially cosy when the weather is inclement – if howling winds begin to batter the vines outside, a roaring red and heated tile floors will keep things toasty inside. And when you’re ready to venture out, staff can organise balloon rides over the vineyards, wine- tastings and Breakfast with the Kangaroos at dawn. – Alex Greig
Dining
The Louise’s own Appellation is one of the Barossa’s best restaurants. Executive chef Kyle Johns and his team smoke fish, cure meat, forage for wild greens and pickle the excess harvest from the kitchen garden. Opt for the four-course tasting menu matched with wines and enjoy the ambience of the intimate dining room
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You can watch the steam dissipate into the clear blue sky while taking an outdoor shower in the private courtyard.
Camel Beach House
Located on a sizeable oceanfront property on the western coast of the Eyre Peninsula, Camel Beach House appears to be a very fancy architecturally designed fisherman‘s shack – a secluded, off-the-grid escape (with wi-fi). The interiors are welcoming and intriguing – contemporary art, antiques and sculptures are dotted throughout – and open out to expansive ocean views.
Dining
Bring your own supplies and take advantage of the full kitchen, commercial fridge, wine cooler and bush pantry.
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Visit during wildflower season to see the native flora in full bloom and observe sea lions, sea eagles and osprey in their native habitat.
SEE ALSO: 5 Perfect Weekend Getaways in South Australia
Arkaba
The views alone are enough to seduce: craggy mountain ranges, hills punctured with the unique grey-green of Australian vegetation, a vast blue sky overhead. But Arkaba doesn’t rely on striking views. This is a magical slice of the outback that you don’t have to share, thanks to personalised experiences such as guided bushwalks, 4WD wildlife-viewing excursions (kangaroos, wallaroos, skinks, lizards, birdlife: it’s all here) and, for lovebirds, dining under the stars. Then there’s the homestead featuring five bedrooms that nod to the 24,000-hectare property’s sheep station past with reclaimed fence posts, sheepskin detailing and an elegant palette of creams and browns. Bliss out in the communal areas: cosy library, spacious poolside deck and airy verandah. There’s no doubt Arkaba has nailed laid-back luxury. But if you need another reason, well, just take a look at those views. – Jo McKay
Dining
In-house chefs prepare decadent breakfasts, lunches and three-course dinners. Every meal is paired with South Australian wine – even brekkie.
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A ridge-top drive at sunset. The sky is ablaze, the wildlife is out in force and your guide will ensure there are canapés and wine to enjoy in the wilderness.
The Kirche @ Charles Melton
History buffs and wine-lovers will be truly enchanted: what was once a small church (kirche in German) has been transformed into a unique retreat by winemaker Charlie Melton and his wife, Virginia. The character of the original 1864 structure remains – a vaulted ceiling, antique furniture and lancet windows give it a hallowed air – but The Kirche is far from austere. A fully equipped (and generously stocked) kitchen makes self-catering easy. On arrival, a local cheese platter and bottle of wine are waiting. There’s an honour bar, too, with spirits and a range of Charles Melton and international wines. Outside are two bikes for exploring the region. Inside, the bathroom features Aveda and L’Occitane products, while the bedrooms (upstairs and downstairs) have plush robes. – Jo McKay
Dining
If you want to leave the cooking to someone else, head to the Charles Melton cellar door for a hearty casual lunch.
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Sampling some of the best wines of the Barossa on foot is a cinch; as well as Charles Melton, Grant Burge and Rockford are a short stroll away.
Mount Lofty House
This classic and charming boutique hotel in the Adelaide Hills is modelled after an iconic and historic property that was originally built in 1852 and was destroyed by fires in 1983. Mount Lofty House has all of the amenities for those who are looking for a quiet and relaxing escape. There‘s a spa, outdoor pool, tennis court, 30 acres of grounds to explore, a botanic garden, a library and onsite restaurant and bar.
Dining
Executive chef Jin Choi heads up the 3 Chef Hat onsite fine dinining venue Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant (expect sweeping views from the namesake verandah). Patrons at Arthur Waterhouse Lounge & Bar can choose a cocktail from the seasonal menu or something from the award-winning wine list.
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Nature lovers can embark on the Waterfall Gully to Mout Lofty summit trail – there are refreshments on offer at either end and plenty of places to rest along the way – or wander through the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden.
The Dairyman
Michael Wohlstadt’s delightful farmstay is off a quiet gravel road in the Barossa. There are two options on site: The Dairyman’s Cottage sleeps four, while The Cha House (our pick) is perfect for two. The oblong space blends bedroom, sitting room and kitchen seamlessly, with décor that masters a rural- meets-industrial aesthetic. Whitewashed stone walls are off set by glass and steel, floors are polished concrete, the furniture wouldn’t look out of place in a city loft
and a spicy orange wall adds a cool kick of colour. The cottages are close to the farm operations but are private. If you fancy a slice of the good life, join Wohlstadt to feed pigs, herd cows and do the nightly milking session. His 32-hectare property is also ideal for bucolic rambling at sunset, hand in hand. – Jo McKay
Dining
The pick of the local restaurants is FermentAsian, just a 15-minute drive away in Tanunda.
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Leave time to spend a romantic night in. Wohlstadt is generous to a fault, stocking his cottages with complimentary provisions such as his own smoked bacon, fresh butter and eggs, sensational lime-and-chilli almonds, local cheese and even a bottle of Barossa wine.
Cambourne Boutique Accommodation
Nestled amongst vineyards on the western ridge of the Barossa Valley, this exclusive-use property sleeps up to six couples in three plush suites, all with their own ensuites featuring either a freestanding bath or rainshower. The cottage, part of which dates back to the 1840s, features exposed timber beams and an original fireplace and is fully self-contained – you’ll find Bosch appliances, a Nespresso machine, complimentary access to Spotify and Netflix, underfloor heating and in-room climate control.
Dining
Hentley Farm restaurant and cellar door and Fino at Seppeltsfield are both a five-minute walk away. You can also take advantage of the open-air or undercover alfresco dining areas.
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The generous provisions you’ll find when you arrive – including wine, cider, cheese and beer and breakfast supplies from fresh farm-laid eggs and smoked bacon to Apex bakery bread and Jersey Fresh milk. Also, the vineyard views through the one-way glass from the bathtub in Suite one.
SEE ALSO: The SA Road Trip You Haven’t Taken Yet
Oceanview Eco Villas
Local couple and owners Tim and Tamsin Wendt host guests at Oceanview Eco Villas, a pair of two-bedroom villas situated on 200 hectares of coastline facing Kangaroo Island’s Nepean Bay. The comfortable and plush acommodations are serviced daily and breakfast and three-course dinners are served in the privacy of your villa. Much effort has gone into ensuring the food and drinks on offer showcase the best the island has to offer with drinks from Kangaroo Island Spirits and Islander Estate Vineyards to produce form Kangaroo Island Fresh Seafood and D’Estrees Bakery.
Dining
You won’t have to lift a finger or even leave your villa – included in the rates for this property are three-course meals served by your hosts.
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Go to sleep under the night sky – special Sky Windows let you take in the heavens from the comfort of your bed.
Eos by SkyCity
If it‘s an urban escape you‘re after, Eos by SkyCity offers a luxurious retreat close by Adelaide’s top restaurants and entertainment precincts – you can explore the city or settle into your spacious room. The Oasis Suites live up to their name and seem designed for ultimate comfort and relaxation. Each 90-square-metre suite features a king bed, separate living space, opulent bathroom and south-facing balcony with views across the city and surrounds. Need to up your serenity levels? Book a treatment at the Eos Spa + Wellness, head to the Leisure Deck and relax in the spa pool, steam room or sauna – or sip cocktails by the pool.
Dining
Indulge in whatever you feel like; there are several restaurants and bars onsite from French-Vietnamese at Madame Hanoi and modern fare at iTL Italian Kitchen. Head to Sôl Bar and Restaurant for impressive rooftop views.
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An on-call mixologist is one of the signature experiences on offer so there‘s no need to leave your room for a perfectly crafted cocktail.
Image credits: Kane Overall (One KI); Camel Beach House; SkyCity, Mount Lofty House
This article was originally published in 2017 and has been updated.
