CHECK-IN
Whereas many travellers have heard about South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, Inman Valley is on few individuals’s radars. Even the locals scratch their heads after we inform them the place we’re staying. Which makes the secluded hilltop ESCA at Nest and Nature really feel much more like an undiscovered gem. With bush behind and rolling valley vistas stretching to the Southern Ocean in entrance, the 81-hectare web site overlooking Duck Nest Creek was specifically chosen because the pilot for ESCA’s bold idea of a community of luxurious off-grid retreats.
Whereas it feels distant, ESCA is in truth solely 75 minutes from Adelaide Airport whereas the charming coastal city of Port Elliot is roughly a 25-minute drive away. Landowners Mark Kirk and Claire Mills stay onsite and are readily available to help with every part from lighting the fireplace to delivering milk on your espresso. The final couple of roads earlier than you attain it are filth and there are not any road lights so you should definitely arrive effectively earlier than sundown.
THE LOOK
Do not make my mistake and name ESCA a transport container conversion. Whereas there are some similarities by way of its form, the 62sqm architecturally designed suites (or containers) are something however. Designed by Adelaide-based structure, inside design and panorama apply DAS Studio, the personalized black suites are made off web site and positioned by crane to minimise influence on the setting. Fully off grid, ESCA delivers a high-end lodge high quality expertise surrounded by nature. Ground-to-ceiling home windows supply sweeping uninterrupted valley views whereas exteriors characteristic outside baths, fireplace pits, stone steps, timber privateness screens and a wonderful terrace with barbeque.
THE ROOM
All of the excessive spec luxuries you’d count on from a lodge suite are included after which some: Nectre wooden fireplace, stone bathtub (along with the inbuilt outside one), bespoke furnishings and lighting by Adelaide’s Jam Manufacturing facility, heated rest room flooring and central heating. There are handcrafted cups and crockery, a king measurement mattress, minimalist kitchen, espresso machine, dishwasher, plush bathrobes and towels, leather-based lounge, TV, Netflix, Wi-Fi and extra. Favorite characteristic? The automated blinds which unveil sweeping valley vistas (typically shrouded in mist) on the flick of a swap.
FOOD + DRINK
Beneficiant breakfast and aperitivo provisions are included together with drinks nonetheless you will must BYO provisions for lunch and dinner. This is not a difficulty in case you’re a neighborhood or have been travelling throughout the state, nonetheless flying interstate and needing to reach earlier than darkish (because of kangaroos and ESCA’s distant location) made it problematic for us on our first evening. On our second evening we cooked a BBQ with provisions from Indulgent Meats and the fabulous Jetty Meals Retailer at Port Elliot. Consuming dinner whereas watching wallabies graze on the hillside adopted by wine and marshmallows across the firepit was particular.
OUT + ABOUT
ESCA’s location places you in a plum spot for exploring the Fleurieu Peninsula (a automobile is a should when staying right here). Enroute flip off for the coast and lunch on the iconic Star of Greece (starofgreece.com.au) contemporary from a year-long makeover. Be transported to the Mediterranean at this clifftop eatery overlooking the arresting shoreline of Port Willunga the place native seafood is a specialty and the wine record showcases the most effective of the neighbouring McLaren Vale area.
The close by township of Willunga is dwelling to Hither&Yon’s cellar door (hitherandyon.com.au) housed in a comfy former 1860s butcher store with a fire, limestone partitions, classic furnishings, books and work. Do a flight tasting of 4 wines made utilizing a minimalist intervention method.
At Port Elliot stroll the scenic Harbourmasters Strolling Path which hugs the shoreline taking in 5 seashores. Reward your self afterwards with a pie from the famend Port Elliot Bakery (portelliotbakery.com).
THE VERDICT
Consideration to element, considerate inclusions and the spectacular pure magnificence makes ESCA a vacation spot in itself. It is a really immersive luxurious expertise – made much more outstanding given the lodging is totally off grid.
Time your go to to different Fleurieu Peninsula points of interest, together with the various fantastic wineries of McLaren Vale, earlier than or after your keep. When you arrive it’s a wrench to tug ourselves away from all of ESCA’s creature comforts and people magnificent valley views.
ESSENTIALS
Esca at Nest and Nature, Inman Valley, South Australia. From $590 per evening for 2 individuals together with breakfast, aperitivo provisions and bottle of native wine. Ph: +61 499 174 654. See esca.com.au
HIGHLIGHT
A toss-up between soaking within the stone bathtub whereas watching flocks of birds swoop over the valley and having the outside fireplace pit lit for us at nightfall.
LOWLIGHT
The dramatic darkish interiors are aesthetically pleasing however do not make it simple to search out issues within the kitchen nor in my black suitcase, particularly at evening.
OUR RATING OUT OF FIVE
★★★★½
Sheriden Rhodes visited as a visitor of ESCA and the South Australian Tourism Fee.
