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9 Off-Grid Stays To Make Your Next South Australian Vacay A Rejuvenating Experience

9 Off-Grid Stays To Make Your Next South Australian Vacay A Rejuvenating Experience

the cube murray river off grid stays south australia

One thing we’ve all learned the past year is how big an impact travel has on the environment, but we also discovered that there are a fun ways to still enjoy a getaway without hurting the planet, like hitting the road and booking off-grid stays.

With Earth Day landing on April 22, this is the perfect time to explore eco-friendly accommodation. From luxury villas to modern tiny homes and seaside glamping, here are some of South Australia‘s coolest off-grid options.

#1 Hillocks Ocean Pod, Marion Bay, Yorke Peninsula

 

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Completely self sustained with your own solar and stunning ocean views, this escape is a memorable deluxe camping experience. Hillocks Ocean Pod is surrounded by coastal bush with uninterrupted views of Butler’s Beach and Hillocks Point. Solar powered and kitted out with eco-toilets, it’s the perfect destination to get back in touch with nature if you’re not ready to give up all your creature comforts.

And the location? On the doorstop of Innes National Park, where you can watch whales pass by your dining room window (during the winter months) and be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the surf.

#2 Flinders Bush Retreats Eco Tent, Flinders Ranges and Outback

Hidden away in an almost untouched corner of the Flinders Ranges on a sixth-generation outback station, you’ll find the eco-luxury glamping experience, Flinders Bush Retreats. Offering a boutique farm stay experience with self-contained houses, glamping and camping options, cosying up in the kitted-out eco tent is the perfect retreat for nature lovers who aren’t ready to rough it.

#3 Ecopia Retreat, Kangaroo Island

 

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From this Kangaroo Island retreat, guests are given “front row seats” to the myriad of bushland and native animals, the latter of which roam the island freely – Ecopia Retreat is surrounded by more than 60 hectares of natural wilderness.

Smack bang in the centre of the island, you can choose from three bespoke luxury retreats –two stunning rammed earth Villas and the Residence – each designed to be eco-friendly using 100 percent pure Kangaroo Island rainwater and an off-grid solar energy system. Yes please.

#4 Earthship Ironbank, Adelaide Hills

 

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An Earthship is a radically sustainable living structure, originally developed by architect Michael Reynolds. They’re built using natural and recyclable materials, use passive solar and thermal systems for heating and cooling the home, are energy and water self-sufficient, have their own sewage treatment and even incorporate their own food production system. Read: they don’t rely on anybody but mother nature.

Australia’s first council approved Earthship is an eco bed and breakfast in the Adelaide Hills made from materials like old car tyres filled and rendered with earth and an incredible beer and wine bottle brick wall. That sounds a bit naff, but this quirky and beautiful hideaway is anything but.

#5 Tent On A Hill, Fleurieu Peninsula

 

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Spend your day sipping your way around some of South Australia’s best wineries then retreat to your luxury Tent On A Hill, perched high above in the wine country of McLaren Vale.

There are five lovely fully-equipped bell tents in the McLaren Vale region, surrounded by gum trees and kangaroos while taking in vineyard views. You can get cosy by the fire pit, explore the surrounding 10-acres of picturesque farm and bushland and watch the sun set over McLaren Vale with a glass of red in hand.

#6 The Cube, Murray River, Lakes and Coorong

The Cube ’ on the banks of the Murray River is a modern concept floating eco pod, a delicious riverside escape (and crazy popular on Airbnb). An hour’s drive away from Adelaide, The Cube sleeps two people and features all the creature comforts. Plus, you can kick back on a sunlounger on the deck and watch boats cruise by, take to the water in your very own kayak, cosy up by the fire pit with a glass of red in hand or sit on the edge and daydream while you dip your toes in the water.

If you want to cosy up even more, then try the smaller sustainable “floating nook,” Bills Boathouse, nearby. Two great options for off-grid stays.

#7 Bandicoot Springs, Adelaide Hills

Welcome to Bandicoot Springs, a log cabin tiny home on the edge of a natural spring in Ironbank. It’s a pretty special place to retreat in nature with wildlife as your only company (yep, including the elusive bandicoot).

Tucked in the picturesque bushland of the Adelaide Hills, 10 minutes from Stirling, spend your days bushwalking, birdwatching, foraging or winery hopping (be sure to stop by Unico Zelo for a sustainable drop).

#8 Tanonga Luxury Eco Lodge, Eyre Peninsula

 

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A short drive from the crystal waters of Port Lincoln, Tanonga Luxury Eco Villas are perfectly positioned for Eyre Peninsula exploration. This is the kind of place where you’ll spend all day at the beach and retreat to your architecturally and ecologically-designed lodge surrounded by nature. Soak in the Japanese style bath, curl up by the wood fire or lay a little longer in bed and watch the sunrise from the huge north-facing windows.

There are two lodges to choose from for off-grid stays: The Ridge, perched hilltop with 360 degree views out to sea or The Valley, surrounded by the bush.

#9 CABN, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

 

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Unplug and unwind at these CABNs tucked in secluded serenity around the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. These off-grid stays are surrounded by nature in the bush, meaning you’ve got front row seats to a blanket of stars each nights, staying warm by your fire pit before retiring to your king-size bed.

Choose from six tiny homes, including the original CABN, Jude, which is in a new location surrounded by scrubland; Mila, the newest escape overlooking Gemtree Wines bio-dynamic vineyard; Bella, a bushland babe; Chloe, secluded in the wilderness; Matilda, nestled in a quiet corner of Kuitpo Forest; and Georgia, on the doorstep of McLaren Vale’s vineyards.


(Lead image: provided by Tourism South Australia).

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