Words: John Emerson
Is it time you deserved a unique escape to the hills without quite giving up modern luxuries? A moment to be at one with nature, knowing you have a warm cosy bed nearby?
About five years ago Barry and Anita Chave were driving through Paris Creek and fell in love with the rolling hills and especially the seclusion. They decided to move and there just happened to be a small farm on the verge of dereliction for sale.
They took on the renovation of the original cottages and restoring the land. Ten percent is dedicated to heritage scrub and much of the rest to sustainable grazing for 32 Black Angas cattle.
Originally from Devon in the UK they used to regularly visit a celebrated donkey sanctuary and became fans. Now on their own Devon Valley Farm they have taken on their own four rescue donkeys, and visitors can watch them being fed each morning and evening.
One day at a hills market, Barry and Anita stumbled on an early 1960s Clipper caravan. The Covid restrictions had given people a new appreciation of the tiny mobile holiday homes from an earlier generation. Once quaint, the humble caravan was again cool.
A new restoration project was born. With a little help from some friends, Anita breathed new life into the caravan, who was named Agatha.
Repainted in early 1960s period pastels and lovingly refurbished, Agatha became a little more luxurious to suit a new era. In 2022, she was made available to guests.
Her interior boasts a voluptuous full-sized queen bed, an en-suite bathroom, a modern kitchenette, sumptuous navy velvet seating and heating and cooling.
Agatha’s curved lines fit perfectly into the surrounding tranquil hills that form a private valley oasis. She sits by a timber deck that overlooks a dam full of rainbow trout. There you can switch off and enjoy the peace from the deck chairs or soak it all up in the sunken outdoor bath.
Nearby is your own camp kitchen with a hand-built wooden bench, a sink and a barbecue.
A short walk will reward you with views over Lake Alexandrina and the Coorong.
This hidden retreat comes with its own entrance and drive. Sitting between Paris Creek and Macclesfield it is a perfect base to explore nearby wineries like Longview and Langhorne Creek, or to venture further to the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Where: 414 Pound Rd, Paris Creek SA 5201
Price: $250-$300 a night for a minimum 2 night stay
For more information, and to book, click here.
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