Two brand new luxury retreats, nestled among nature on a coastal working sheep farm, have launched on the beautiful Kangaroo Island.
Expanding on the success of Stowaway’s existing two luxury abodes, the newest additions to this exclusive destination on Kangaroo Island’s breathtaking north coast are now open for bookings, starting November 1.
The retreats – The Hide and The Snug – provide the luxury of a 5-star hotel stay, framed by the seclusion of untouched bushland.
Each new fully equipped accommodation boasts its own private spa, sauna, round double bath, outdoor shower, and full cooks’ kitchen, and is complete with all the luxurious trimmings that have become synonymous with a Stowaway stay.
The Hide borders Lathami Conservation Park with coastline glimpses, while The Snug commands views across pristine bushland abundant with wildlife.
Both retreats are tucked on a private corner of land, a short drive from some of Kangaroo Island’s most popular destinations, including Stokes Bay.
The transition from lifelong farmers to luxury accommodation hosts in 2017 was a nervewracking leap of faith for husband-and-wife team Carly and Adam Bussenschutt.
“It was a real ‘build it and they will come’ mentality,” Carly said.
“Adam and I had bought a 200-acre parcel of land that we ran as a hobby farm a few years prior near the iconic Stokes Bay and it was screaming to be developed into a tourism project.
“I had no tourism experience but have run a successful farming business so knew I had the skills from that point of view.
“I had also travelled extensively so I knew the sort of things I appreciated when I stayed somewhere, and that’s what guided our vision for Stowaway.”
The seed of the Stowaway experience was planted for Carly – a third-generation Kangaroo Island farmer – in 2013. After being awarded the coveted Nuffield Farming Scholarship, Carly travelled the world visiting sheep farms, which took her to ‘The Hideaway Experience’ on a farm in Dundee, Scotland.
“I knew Kangaroo Island would be the perfect place for this concept, but figured I was busy being a sheep farmer, and parked the idea until 2016.” Carly said.
The first accommodation – The Nest and The Sleep Hollow – launched in 2017 and despite the challenges of the 2019 Kangaroo Island bushfires and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, the demand for Stowaway’s unique luxury offering has continued to grow.
“Every booking we got in that first six months resulted in a little celebration with the kids when I saw the booking email come through,” Carly said.
Carly & Adam saw overwhelmingly positive feedback, and have now doubled their offering within five years of business and through what has been often challenging times for tourism.
For Carly and Adam, life has become a fine balancing act of running a 2,500-strong herd of Merino sheep, raising a young family and catering for luxurious travellers.
“I can often be emailing guests whilst mustering sheep or fielding enquiries whilst helping Adam in the sheep yards,” Carly said.
“People do get a bit of amusement when they hear the sheep baa-ing in the background but that’s the life we live, and we love sharing it with our guests!”
The Hide and The Snug are larger than the original Stowaways with a pop-out dining nook, walk-in robe and powder room.
The new retreats are now available to book stays from November 1, from $1,100 per night.
KEY INFORMATION
Website: stowawayki.com.au
Instagram: instagram.com/stowaway_ki
Facebook: facebook.com/luxurystowawayki
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