Totally local: Platter perfect and 100% sourced from the Willunga Farmers Market

Totally local

Photography by Jason Porter. Styling by Liza Reynolds.

As the season turns cool and we find comfort indoors, a grazing table offers a place to commune and indulge with friends and family. Share the region’s freshest foods and fare sourced entirely from the Willunga Farmers Market, served on the beautiful handcrafted platters and bowls created by Jane Lathlean of Bramble Pottery Strathalbyn.

Gratitude to Woodside Cheese Wrights, Lillyara Artisan Cheese, Milkless Cheese, Flour Power Breads, SoulFood & Co, Little Acre Foods, Fleurieu Prime Alpaca, Najobe, Gut Feeling, Austar Mariculture, Two Hills & A Creek, Taronga Almonds, Matchett Productions + Big Sissy Foods, Warrakilla, Choice Mushrooms, Herbivorous, McCarthy’s Orchards, Harvest the Fleurieu and B + A Andonopoulos.

Island escapes Story by Poppy Fitzpatrick.

With its rugged geological features, pristine coastline and untarnished wild landscapes, a trip to Kangaroo Island can make you feel like the only person in the world. Whether immersing yourself in the thick bush teeming with wildlife, or soaking in a warm bath atop a private infinity deck overlooking sweeping white sands, these island escapes entirely redefine the experience of luxury accommodation. Going overseas has never been so close to home.

Page left: Rugged landscapes and pristine beaches all to yourselves … stay awhile at some of these luxe retreats on Kangaroo Island. This photo taken at the beach is walking distance from the Ocean View Eco Villas. Photo by Heidi Lewis. Above left: Ecopia Retreat sits in a dedicated wildlife sanctuary. Owners Rob and Yael have committed to planting a native tree for every booking they receive this year. We love this idea! Right: The very modern and comfortable accommodations at Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas sit atop a hill overlooking the ocean. Guests will enjoy their own private beach and can opt-in for fully catered dining to truly relax and enjoy.

Ecopia Retreat

Set in the middle of a dedicated wildlife sanctuary, this off-grid retreat offers three boutique luxury options from which to savour a slow and mindful escape. Located on a vast property at the heart of the island, guests are given exclusive access to Eleanor River and a unique opportunity to immerse in Kangaroo Island’s inland beauty. Two rammed-earth, solar-passive villas provide an intimate, self-contained stay for couples. The Residence boasts a contemporary, open-plan layout with three bedrooms and two bathrooms for larger groups. Guests are encouraged to explore the property by day or night, with walking trail maps and special torches for spotting nightlife provided. Promoting a deeper and more conscious travel experience, owners Rob and Yael have committed to planting a native tree for every booking they receive this year. Ecopia Retreat delicately balances maximum luxury with minimum environmental impact.

Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas

Tucked away in a quiet bushland setting, these villa and apartmentstyle accommodations overlook the pristine, private-access Pink Bay so guests can indulge in a feeling of complete solitude. Each lodging provides a lavish experience of privacy, paired with all the comforts of home. Guests are invited to enjoy fully catered dining, homecooked and delivered to their door while they bask in uninterrupted relaxation. Alternatively, guests can get creative using local produce in modern kitchens stocked with all the essentials. The property features several nature walks studded with an abundance of wildlife, while the secluded swimming beach sits a mere five-minute walk away. With optional, all-inclusive holiday packages, Sea Dragon Lodge & Villas deliver a truly end-to-end island experience. >

Top: One Kangaroo Island is dedicated to providing guests with a ‘lasting memorable stay.’ If this dining area is anything to go by it seems they have succeeded. Photograph by Quentin Chester. Bottom: One can spend hours beachcombing or bushwalking at Oceanview Eco Village. Each villa has been carefully considered for comfort and sustainability at this tasteful coastal haven. Photograph by Heidi Lewis.

One Kangaroo Island

Offered only on a select enquiry basis, hosts of One Kangaroo Island Coreena and Hugh are dedicated to providing their guests with a lavishly memorable stay. Their two exclusive accommodation options allow guests to occupy their very own section of the island’s eastern end. Private, fully-tailored packages are available at their One KI dwelling, which features five double king bedrooms, four ensuites, two living areas and multiple decks. Deluxe outdoor bath and shower areas overlook the ocean, epitomising the complete serenity of this secluded paradise. Guests are provided with full breakfasts, threecourse dinners prepared by private chefs, and locally sourced nibbles to enjoy throughout the day. Premium Kangaroo Island and South Australian wines and refreshments are also provided. Their Walcowrie option offers guests an alternative, self-contained option with infinity decking that appears to merge beach, dune and bush. One Kangaroo Island invites its visitors to enjoy snorkelling, kayaking, shell collecting, bird watching and stargazing – or on a cooler day, the chance to unwind with a book from their extensive library.

Oceanview Eco Village

Overlooking the stunning cliffs of Redbanks, this coastal escape offers a highly personalised getaway for couples and families alike. The private cove and lush surrounding bushlands allow guests the chance to switch off and withdraw, while enjoying premium, sophisticated accommodation. Each villa is serviced daily, with a generously provisioned butler’s pantry and catered dining at breakfast and dinner. Oceanview Eco Village seek to provide a highly personalised experience that is both elegant and unobtrusive; guests can wake up and enjoy a cooked breakfast in their pyjamas, and return after a day of exploring to a gourmet three-course meal served in-house. Each villa has been carefully considered in terms of both comfort and sustainability, with bedroom carpets made from salvaged ocean fish nets, recycled jarrah doors and Kangaroo Island limestone completing the stonework around each fireplace. Guests are greeted with a Kangaroo Island Spirits cocktail upon arrival, before being left to luxuriate in the plush furnishings of their tasteful coastal haven.