Live luxe in South Australia

It is the combination of dramatic coastlands, tranquil farmscapes and eucalypt-scented bush that makes Kangaroo Island such an enchanting destination and from your private retreat at Stowaway Kangaroo Island, you can take it all in. Tucked into a quiet corner of a farm adjoining the Lathami Conservation Park – keep an eye out for the endangered glossy black cockatoo – your Stowaway villa comes equipped with a full set of creature comforts. Drink in the view from your cantilevered window seat, your glass-fronted sauna or your al fresco bathtub.

What does your dream getaway look like? Do you delight at the sensation of being surrounded by untouched nature and waking up to endless ocean views, or is your head filled with visions of styled-up design, from polished concrete floors to Danish fittings and furniture? Or perhaps you are longing for some low-impact luxury, a place that sits lightly on the land, drawing energy from the sun and minimising water usage. The clifftop Naiko Retreat on the Fleurieu Peninsula ticks all these boxes and more, with its own private beach nestled down below and three bedrooms so you can share the experience with your nearest and dearest.

Sometimes you just need it all to stop. You need a place where life flows more slowly, where nothing is urgent, where there is always time for another glass of red wine. That place is the Riverland. Check into your riverfront villa at The Frames Retreat in Paringa near Renmark and feel your tension ebb away as you watch the river flow past. If you do want distractions, there are plenty on offer – your hosts can organise anything from a massage or a food safari tour to a gondola ride at sunset. However, we suspect you will find it more tempting to do nothing at all.

The most memorable getaways aren’t just about luxurious interiors – they also give you a sense of discovery. Kingsford The Barossa delivers on both counts. Whether you opt for one of the atmospheric homestead suites or a book into your own cottage, there are plenty of intriguing experiences to choose from. Relax with an in-room massage or an alfresco bush bath, learn about the property’s fascinating history on a tour, or challenge your partner to a round of 10-pin bowling on the lodge’s indoor bowling alley.

Nothing is ordinary about a stay at the glamorous EOS by Skycity. Wake up in the morning and you can open your blackout blinds from the comfort of your bed, drinking in magnificent views through the floor to ceiling windows. Head to iTL restaurant for a breakfast where options range from lemon curd pancakes to their signature crumbed eggs, then grab some of the free snacks from your mini-bar before you head out to explore: stroll through the riverside park towards the zoo, or drop in to the Art Gallery of SA. Oh, and don’t forget the luxurious Eos Spa + Wellness centre – a sanctuary for the soul.

 
Image credits: South Australian Tourism Commission