Our guide to luxury accommodation in McLaren Vale

From boutique vineyard villas to elegant heritage homes and eco hilltop escapes, these are the most luxurious stays in McLaren Vale.

Tucked between rolling green hills and the crystal blue of Gulf St Vincent, McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s most naturally beautiful wine regions so it makes sense to stay somewhere that truly gives this beautiful region full credit.

Whether you’re dreaming of a secluded escape with sweeping views from your outdoor bath, an off-grid hideaway surrounded by native bushland or a stylish retreat made for group celebrations, these luxury accommodation options in the McLaren Vale make it all too easy to linger just a little longer.

In short

If there’s one luxury accommodation in McLaren Vale wine region that is worth the splurge, make it Rare Earth Retreats for its secluded luxe cabins that disappear into the surrounding landscape.

McLaren Eye

Tucked away on a beautiful hill in Kangarilla, McLaren Eye truly feels worlds away.  Owners Joylene and Rob Edwards have poured their heart and soul into creating a sustainable, luxurious retreat in an eco-designed building which generates its own power and collects its own water.

With space for up to four guests, it’s the perfect spot to disconnect from everything and enjoy time with close friends or reconnect with family (not suitable for younger children). The two king bedrooms each come with an ensuite featuring a circular bath and a private deck to soak in the panoramic views. There’s also a cottage available for extra accommodation, two minutes away.

McLaren Vale is just 13 kilometres away, making wineries easily accessible when ready to explore.

Address: 54 Peters Creek Road, Kangarilla

Price: 1 Bedroom $675 per night or $1,200 per night for 2 bedrooms

The Vineyard Retreat McLaren Vale

The Vineyard Retreat - Cadole Sierra, McLaren Vale — The Vineyard Retreat Cadole Sierra is set on the edge of an idyllic vine canopy. (Image: heidi who photos)

Just a short drive from the heart of the Vale, this elevated property in Blewitt Springs overlooks 15 acres of working vineyard.

Stay in one of six boutique accommodation options – either on the hill for the views, or on the valley floor to be close to the area’s cellar doors, restaurants and breweries. The six options are all different, from Cadole Avalon – a sleek cabin with all the modern amenities to The Highland, a two-bedroom house built for entertaining with a chef’s kitchen. While the options might come in all shapes and sizes, they all share luxe furnishings, a private deck and complimentary breakfast provisions.

As another option, the Strand Guesthouse, newly renovated in 2021, is a one-bedroom hideaway with huge windows framing the vineyard, a wood-burning fire and a private deck – perfect for taking in the scenery.

Address: 165 Whitings Rd, Blewitt Springs

Price: From $655 AUD per night to $955 AUD per night for The Highland

Rare Earth Retreats

For couples after a true off-grid experience, these three elevated cabins hidden away on a working winery are exquisite. Choose from the Stone, Clay or Slate cabins, each with an open-plan layout with a king-size bed dressed in French linen, kitchen, living area, bathroom and outdoor bath.

Opened in late 2024, the cabin’s designs are inspired by the McLaren Vale’s terroir and lands, and feature exclusive pieces crafted by South Australian artists from the Jam Factory.

Stays can be tailored and there’s in-house massage or a private yoga class on offer.

Address: 23 Coppermine Road, McLaren Vale

Price: $650 per night

Beresford Luxury Suites and Villas

On Blewitt Springs Road in McLaren Flat, Beresford Luxury Suites offers an impressive 15 modern accommodation options , from studio rooms to the Grand Reserve Suites which feature extra space, a bath and private plunge pool.

Need more room? The redeveloped Beresford House features imported Italian furniture, luxury fittings and high-end appliances for a luxurious long weekend with friends.

Enjoy a slow wakeup in the morning with a make-your-own breakfast, before wandering down to the on-site Vale Restaurant and Tasting Room for a cheese platter and a microbrew.

Address: 252 Blewitt Springs Rd, McLaren Flat

Price: Reserve Suites start at $ 345 per night

Karawatha Cottages

Blewitt Springs’ Karawatha Cottages come in three – Ponder, Unwind and Relish . With stunning views towards the Mount Lofty Ranges and modern amenities, it’s easy to see why it’s been awarded one of Australia’s top 25 B&Bs for five consecutive years.

Ponder and Unwind cater for a couple, while Relish has two bedrooms and a wood fire for those cosy winter escapes. Fully self-contained, a stay also comes with a gourmet breakfast hamper (granola, free-range eggs, wood-smoked bacon and fresh bread) and a bottle of premium wine. Stay in or visit the several cellar doors and restaurants within walking distance.

Address: 285 Blewitt Springs Road, Blewitt Springs

Price: From $320 per night

Shadow Creek

For complete seclusion, head to Shadow Creek , set on a 20-acre vineyard between McLaren Vale and Willunga. The one-bedroom house has a king-size bed, double shower, deep bath, fireplace and expansive deck with uninterrupted ocean and vineyard views.

Linger on the balcony with a grazing plate of local treats (cheese, cured meats, olives, crackers) followed by an aged steak from Ian at Ellis Butchers cooked on the barbecue.

Explore their small batch wines including The Kinky Alpaca Grenache Rose, Vermentino and Ticket Window Shiraz. The cellar door is located on the far side of the property across Turraparri Creek so as not to disturb guests.

Address: Cnr Edwards Rd and Jackson Hill Rd, McLaren Vale

Price: From $520 per night

Hillenvale

Hidden between the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale, the five-bedroom Hillenvale homestead, built in 1859, is ideal for groups or families. Lovingly restored and modernised over the years while retaining its original charm, it includes a wine cellar, lounge, kitchen and dining areas. Cook up local produce in the country-style kitchen, then relax on the deck with sweeping vineyard views.

The Coach House provides a secluded, luxurious couple’s retreat on the same property. One of the first farms in the area, it now houses purebred and pasture-raised lambs, while the first vintages of Hillenvale wine are on the way.

Address: 194 Cut Hill Rd, Kangarilla

Price: TBC

Hotel California Road

Don’t be fooled by the shipping container exterior as inside, this adult-only micro-hotel has the ‘wow’ factor. The 20 repurposed shipping containers make up the eco-friendly building designed and built by Dudley Brown and Irina Santiago-Brown.

Each of the three 50-square-metre suites has a floating king bed, gorgeous soaking tub (complete with wine glass holder), floor-to-ceiling windows and a deck just metres from the vineyard.

The Inkwell cellar door is directly above the suites – choose from one of four tastings of Australia’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® vineyard, including their fortified wines.

Address: 377 California Rd, Tatachilla

Price: From $350 per night. Book direct to receive a complimentary continental breakfast for two.

Weemilah Luxury Retreat

Situated 200 metres above the valley floor at the southern end of the Vale, this off-grid sanctuary has uninterrupted views across the region. The open-plan living area, with its slate floors, wood-burning stove and floor-to-ceiling windows, makes it easy to just sit back and not move for the weekend.

Both king bedrooms have ensuites, and access to the deck and outdoor bath from which to view the native wildlife on the 52-acre property.

Elevate a stay further with a 30-minute helicopter flight over the Fleurieu Peninsula for an $750 per couple, or for $1180 get a ride from the Weemilah helipad via the coast and vines to Shottesbrooke Winery.

Address: 187 Delabole Rd, Willunga

Price: $1,220 for two nights

Ukiyo House

Close enough to the beach for the summer months but far enough to capture peace and quiet, Ukiyo House feels blissfully secluded. Set on a tranquil stretch of property adjacent to Willunga Creek, this architecturally designed one-bedroom house is fitted out with natural materials like charred shou sugi ban timber, rammed earth walls and Venetian plaster creating a calming experience.

The modern kitchen has everything one needs, and the welcome pack of local gin (with lemons from the garden), wine, granola and almonds start off an indulgent stay.  

Beach essentials are available as is a kayak for the adventurous guest.

Address: 37 Martin St, Port Willunga

Price: $1,500 for two nights

Discover the best things to do in McLaren Vale

The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns.

It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach , the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.

Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet

The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road . Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.

Split point lookout — The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.

This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities.

Lorne to Birregurra

Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park , which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.

Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.

From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.

You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae , helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.

Brae restaurant — Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Apollo Bay to The Otways

Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.

A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.

Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles

The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.

It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.

The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.

Port Campbell to Timboon

Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream , Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.

Warrnambool to Port Fairy

Warrnambool building — A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.

Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.

The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit.

The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip.

Eating there

The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.

Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.