Stay close to Nature in South Australia

Escape to South Australia, stay in comfort and and check in with the kangaroos, penguins, wallabies and the best views – with compliments from Mother Nature. Below is a list of just a few places to stay and enjoy nature at its best.

Happy Feet at your Doorsteps: Situated at the beautiful Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island, the Kangaroo Island Seafront Resort is the perfect location for swimming, relaxing on the sandy beaches and for watching penguins coming from sea to shore. Featuring ocean view rooms, heritage rooms, and self contained chalets and cottages, the hotel sits right on the doorstep of an island of wonder and inspiration with totally unspoilt white beaches, rocky outcrops, a stunning coastline and home to an abundance of wildlife.

Beautiful Country Estate: Nestled on the shore of Australia's largest freshwater lake, Poltalloch Station is one of Australia's most historic pastoral properties. This beautiful country estate on Lake Alexandrina was first established in 1839. Guests stay in well appointed heritage cottages with air conditioning, sunny verandahs and wood fires in winter. Enjoy swimming, canoeing or sailing, tennis and walking in the extensive pristine bushland. Poltalloch is renowned for seclusion, tranquility, spectacular sunsets and some of the best bird watching opportunities in the Coorong and Lakes area.

Luxury Camping Experience: The Warrawong Luxury Camping is designed to give visitors a unique overnight eco-tourism experience. Find yourself nestled in the pristine surrounds of the Adelaide Hills sanctuary. It features 14 eco-cabins with an opportunity to get close to nature overnight, while avoiding the pitfalls of camping out in a tent. Enjoy a magnificent meal in the restaurant, experience a dusk walk and stay in your own private weatherproof cabin with double bed, air-conditioning and en-suite.

Houseboat Holiday Adventure: No alarm clock. Just the quaking of ducks as you wake up in the morning on a houseboat. Imagine breakfast on the deck with the view of Mother Nature’s best. What’s life without a little bit of pampering? Rent a houseboat and chart the waters at your own pace as you spend a few relaxing days on the Murray River for a holiday of a different kind. Try your hand at fishing, get close encounter with wildlife, and stop at country towns along the way. Most houseboats come with well-equipped kitchens, spacious cabins, en suite bathrooms, sundecks and even spas – for the grownups to pamper themselves. All you need is a current driver’s license and the spirit of adventure to hire a houseboat.

Eco Lifestyle, Anyone?: Baird Bay Ocean Eco Apartments features a beach frontage and kangaroos at your back door, sea lions and dolphins at your front door. This is an unforgettable experience, providing you with heartwarming opportunity to frolic in the sea with these gentle and playful creatures. Enjoy a glass of wine in the entertainment area overlooking Baird Bay as the sun sets. A dinghy and outboard is supplied with each unit.

Romantic Vineyard Retreat: Located 40km south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Producers Retreat is a vineyard country stay in McLaren Vale on the Fleurieu Peninsula, about 40km south of Adelaide. Featuring farm fresh dinner matched to local wines, guests gather for evening meals and wine tasting at Producers Cellar, a luxurious small batch winery and dining room wrapped around the Spanish-style courtyard with views to Willunga Hills. Producers’ guest houses are set in picturesque surrounds with all the pleasures of the countryside, a short stroll through vineyards, orchards and native fauna to the Cellar.

Are you in the 50s mood?: If you are, check into the North Star Hotel. Located in Melrose in the Southern Flinders Ranges, this boutique accommodation is reputed to have a restaurant that serves fabulous food. Expect very funky 50's style décor. Enjoy 4WD drives, trekking and biking during your stay. The North Star Hotel is the southern sister of the Prairie Hotel located in Parachilna, a town with a population of less than 10 people and famous among Hollywood movie makers and stars.

Perfect Retreat on an Exotic Island: Located adjacent to the Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat lies in close proximity to major attractions and discreetly located on acres of pristine natural bushland. A unique mix of eco-friendly features, exclusive guest facilities, comfortable accommodation, superb restaurant, friendly wildlife and tranquil wilderness setting combine to provide an unforgettable Kangaroo Island accommodation experience. Each of the retreat’s elegantly appointed courtyard suites have a private deck for guests to relax and enjoy the tranquility. Rooms overlook a natural bushland garden where wallabies can be seen grazing during early evening and inquisitive possums venture out after dark to play.

Pure Indulgence: Navigating the fine balance between nature, comfort and contemporary style, Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island is designed as a sanctuary of comfort, style and personal intimacy. With aims to be Australia’s leading example of sustainable tourism accommodation, the lodge will officially be opened in March 2008 providing a level of style, sophistication and exclusivity. Located at the island’s secluded Hanson Bay on south-west coast, this is a cathedral of arched native trees line the entry, immersing guests in the bird song and mystery of the bush surrounds. Rugged cliffs, wild-ocean, white beaches and virtually untouched native vegetation are complimented by an ecological design and organic luxe interiors. The lodge site adjoins two national parks and is at the heart of the island’s major attractions including Flinders Chase and the Remarkable Rocks.

Luxury Vineyard Retreat: Peppers The Louise is a luxury vineyard retreat on a gentle hill surrounded by hundreds of acres of vines overlooking the world renowned Barossa Valley. With just 15 suites each with private terraces, soft contemporary furnishings and spacious ensuites, the romance of an idyllic vineyard hideaway is complete. Acclaimed onsite restaurant Appellation, offers seasonal cuisine nightly for casually elegant dining under the guidance of Executive Chef Mark McNamara. Appellation's extensive wine list presents the best of the Barossa, the rest of Australia and iconic wines of the world. An hour from Adelaide, Peppers The Louise offers guests the ultimate experiences combining a Penfolds Make Your Own Blend Tour and a Tasting Menu at Appellation with the unique twist of having the chef create a dish to match the wine the guest has blended at Penfolds. You can also enjoy a privately guided walk and gourmet breakfast in Kaiser Stuhl Conservation Park while watching kangaroos in their own natural habitat.

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