11 minute read
Slice of heaven
WORDS Hayley Pearson
If I had any musical talent, I’d write a love song about this ten-out-often, Seafire Beach House.
Location is everything, and this beauty blends seamlessly into its wild coastal setting on southern Yorke Peninsula. Superbly located on 300 private oceanfront acres with clifftop walks, secluded coves and its own sandy beach, Seafire is all about wildlife, wilderness and waves.
Every detail of this five-star holiday accommodation has been designed with luxury in mind. Enormous floor-to-ceiling glass windows open out to views across the Southern Spencer Gulf Marine Park to Kangaroo Island. If you’re lucky, you might see fur seals rolling in the surf or a sea eagle soaring from the comfort of your living room sofa.
Guests enjoy all the bells and whistles, with ducted air-con, a cosy wood heater, underfloor heating and heated towel rails in the bathrooms, plus access to the internet so you can stay connected… or not. LET’S STAY TOGETHER Seafire offers a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, a spacious living and dining area, and two private suites with king sized beds, ensuite bathrooms, smart TVs and a separate deck with an outdoor shower — so you can enjoy a romantic weekend away together, or share the love with another couple. The bedrooms are far enough apart for privacy, but close enough to step out onto your private deck and take in the views together, preferably with a cuppa in hand.
WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD Owners Michele and Nick truly care for the land. “Since we bought this gorgeous coastal property in 1997, we’ve completed a major revegetation project and we’re now seeing the return of rare and endangered species to the site. If they’d like to, our guests can get involved by sponsoring nest boxes for our local barn owls or the endangered western pygmy possums that live here,” says Michele. “They can also visit a family of fur seals who love to sunbake on the rocks, just a couple of hundred metres from Seafire’s front door.” RUNNING UP THAT HILL At the bottom of the cliff is Seafire’s magnificent secluded beach. With sandy feet and a sun-kissed nose, you can rinse off in your own outdoor shower before retreating to a comfy sun lounger for an afternoon nap.
NEVER TEAR US APART Seafire has a gorgeous older sister, Yondah Beach House, just a few hundred metres away, and she’s won multiple national tourism awards. While she’s definitely deluxe, Yondah is also family and pet-friendly with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a more relaxed coastal vibe. You can sink into a plump couch by the open wood fire with a good book in hand and your dog at your feet. Oh, and the jewel in Yondah’s crown? A spectacular sandy beach cove!
We are crazy in love with both Seafire and Yondah Beach House, and after a short three-hour drive from Adelaide, you will be too!
@seafirebeachhouse seafire.com.au
Crossroads of Australia
WORDS Hayley Pearson
It’s the gateway to the Flinders Ranges and Outback, but Port Augusta is more than just a place to stretch the old legs.
As the fifth largest city in South Australia and home to fascinating historical attractions, Port Augusta is made for families, with swimming beaches on both sides of the gulf and the outback in every other direction.
Stay for the night Majestic Oasis Apartments ticks the box when it comes to prime waterfront location — and there’s accommodation to suit every traveller. With seventy-five apartments, there’s a perfect mix of studio apartments, two-bedroom apartments for families or friends travelling together and spa suites for an extra dose of luxury. It’s lined with palm trees, and the tropical vibes roll on with a private lagoon style pool and barbecue overlooking the gulf. Guests can expect all the creature comforts, with kitchen and laundry facilities — a definite plus when you’ve been travelling cross country.
Wadlata Outback Centre.
And in a town that prides itself on championing its local heroes, it's a nice touch that all the apartment blocks at Majestic Oasis Apartments are named after significant Port Augusta locals.
Play for the day Wanna be transported 15 million years back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the Flinders Ranges and Outback? Well, Wadlata Outback Centre is your go-to.
Their knowledgeable staff will open your eyes to all the unique experiences within the region, as well as organising your national park entry and desert parks passes. And you won’t be able to lure yourself away from their key attraction… The Tunnel Of Time.
As you learn about fossils and Dreamtime stories, you’ll come face-toface with the serpent, who once-upon-atime gouged out the gorges to make the Flinders Ranges. Make your way through the tunnels at your own pace while you watch and listen to the tales of early settlers, pedal the radio for the School of the Air, or try your hand at Morse code.
Then, debrief at the Outback Tuckerbox and enjoy a slice of their famous quandong cheesecake before making your way to the next place on your hit list… the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden.
“Our arid lands are home to thousands of highly evolved plant communities with fragile and complex ecosystems found nowhere else on earth,” says volunteer Chris.
The garden officially opened in 1996 as a place for research and conservation. Now, with its picturesque setting of more than 250 hectares and a backdrop of the Flinders Ranges, it’s quickly become a popular tourist attraction.
You can go on a guided walk with one of their dedicated volunteers and learn all about the arid plant life or grab a map and potter along in your own time. May we suggest you also stay for lunch or visit the childrens’ arid explorers garden?
Next time you see Port Augusta on your travel plans, make sure you add in time to explore this hidden gem.
@majestic_hotels majesticoasisapartments.com.au
Majestic Oasis Apartments.
wadlata.sa.gov.au aalbg.org
Above: Lee Lam.
WORDS Em Worthington Claret Ash Farm is the perfect place to marry wellness with the Creative Arts.
IT’S A FULL STORY OF WELLBEING.
Photo: Multimedia Emporium.
Against a backdrop of rolling hills, a bountiful garden and fresh air, Janesce’s organic and biodynamic farm is where the South Australian skincare and wellness products are made — and now, there’s even more to explore.
CLARET ASH COTTAGE + PAVILION Picture sipping your morning tea by the organic flower and herb garden! Janesce now offers the farm cottage as the perfect place to escape from a fast-paced life to feel rejuvenated by nature. The cottage comfortably caters for four, with two living areas, two bedrooms and inspiring views of the 33-acre property, which is bursting with bushland, gardens and paddocks. You can even book a remedial massage in the cottage — our idea of absolute heaven!
As an additional option, the Pavilion, which is a short stroll from the cottage, is perfectly placed for events where participants want to feel connected, and has hosted wellness and creative workshops for up to 25 people. When you book the event space, you book the cottage too — so whoever’s running the event can stay on site, and you’ll have the kitchen, bathrooms and plenty of parking on offer.
INK POT ARTS INC WORKSHOPS Janesce and Country Arts SA have proudly sponsored an Ink Pot Arts Ecotourism and Wellbeing program, that was recently held at Claret Ash Cottage + Pavilion. These workshops offer a stepping stone to explore your hidden creativity, and following its success, many more workshops are planned, offering diverse experiences. This award-winning not-for-profit community arts organisation knows the wellbeing benefits of creative engagement, having hosted programs for people of all ages and abilities for many years. “We offer really fun, high-quality sessions led by incredibly talented artists. It’s the perfect opportunity to dabble in things like textile arts, watercolour inspired by nature, clay, Aboriginal arts, Nuno felting and printmaking. The feedback has been fabulous! People can book a session or come for a day and enjoy lunch between workshops — whatever you like,” Ink Pot Arts Inc Artistic Director Jo-anne Sarre explains.
When you get a place with all the feelgood factors like Claret Ash Farm and combine it with artistic expression, it’s a full story of wellbeing.
For more information on future workshops from Ink Pot Arts Inc held at Claret Ash Farm, head to inkpot.com.au/programs.
For a farm stay at Claret Ash Cottage that will leave you on cloud nine, go to janesce.com.au/stay. Or, head to janesce.com.au/event-space to book The Cottage + Pavilion for an event with a difference.
@janesceau janesce.com.au/stay janesce.com.au/event-space
@inkpotarts inkpot.com.au/programs
WORDS Millie Looker PHOTOS Wayne Pearson
It’s an area that we called ourselves experts in until we found out how much we’d been missing!
The City of Burnside isn’t exactly new territory for us. Some of us grew up in the area, sent kids to the local schools, and we’re regulars at Burnside Village, of course. But we didn’t know that we'd been missing out on huge parts of the experience.
Established in 1856, the City of Burnside is one of Adelaide’s oldest councils. It’s filled with historic and heritage buildings, tree-lined streetscapes, and is an area that celebrates its history — from the Kaurna people to Burnside’s rural settlement and to the beautiful city it is today.
Amongst the new builds, you’ll still find huge old gum trees in Hazelwood Park, and iconic buildings, such as Beaumont House and the Regal Theatre. The City of Burnside believes that these things should be celebrated and passed on for generations, and within the city there are a number of heritage experiences for all to enjoy.
You can experience history on every corner and enjoy stepping back in time. Here’s how…
Photo: Supplied. THE REGAL THEATRE A night out at the theatre doesn’t mean what it used to. Now, it’s all about surround-sound and stuffing your face with popcorn, but once upon a time, it was an occasion to get dressed up for a special night out. The beauty of the Regal Theatre still reflects this glamour and has been maintained with so much care as a State Heritage listed iconic attraction.
It may have had a few names over the years — the Princess Theatre, Chelsea Theatre and now, the Regal Theatre — but one thing has never waivered: you can rely on this stately building when you want to watch a good flick or hire it out as a unique space for your next event.
theregaltheatre.com.au
Photo: Supplied.
HISTORIC WALKING TRAILS Discover the history of the burbs on your own two feet! The City of Burnside and the Burnside Historical Society have created self-guided walking tour brochures to help you uncover hidden gems while learning more about the architecture — or even discover who lived on each street. It’s Adelaide’s answer to a Hollywood Homes tour!
The walking trails include Beaumont, Beulah Park, Burnside, Eastwood, Glen Osmond, Knightsbridge, Magill, Rose Park, Waterfall Gully and Wesleyan Cemetery, and some of the trails can even be accessed through the Burnside Walks app. With an array of coffee shops and food stops in the area, your destination can always lead to lunch. Which brings me to my next point…
burnside.sa.gov.au/CommunityRecreation/Community-Engagement/ Publications/Burnside-Historic-WalkingTrails-App
Lockwood General. Photo: Supplied.
EAT AND DRINK Keep the history flowing by feasting at a number of restaurants, bars and cafes inside heritage buildings. Some of our top picks include: • Dorrit’s Coffee Shop – We promise good coffee surrounded by gorgeous art at the Pepper Street Arts Centre, which was built around 1880. • Lockwood General – A newbie on the scene, this cafe is housed inside the former corner store on High Street, which was built in the 1870s. Don’t skip brunch, it’s *chef’s kiss*. • Utopia @ Waterfall Gully – A former kiosk constructed in 1912, this venue BEAUMONT HOUSE The sheer beauty of this distinctive Mediterranean character house with its manicured gardens never ceases to amaze me. What originally began as a small five-room cottage built in 1849 by Bishop Short, has been perfected and expanded over many years and is now a proud State Heritage listed building owned by the National Trust of South Australia.
You can join open day tours, which are held on the first Sunday of every month (2pm to 4.30pm), or book a private tour with afternoon tea. Beaumont House also hosts open gardens, olive harvesting, the annual Pioneer Women’s Trail Walk, and is a popular spot for weddings and private functions. We can see why the place screams romance!
For tour and open day bookings call 0468 866 492. For all other enquiries call 8202 9200.
nationaltrust.org.au/places/ beaumont-house
now overlooks the lush greenery of Waterfall Gully while serving up coffee, cake, pizza and high tea. What a reward after a hike!
It’s time to go old school and start exploring some of the classical architecture in one of our fave areas of Adelaide. Weekend plans sorted!
@cityofburnside burnside.sa.gov.au
