McLeod’s Daughters homestead to undergo $10m luxury expansion

Once the set for TV drama McLeod’s Daughters, Barossa Valley’s historic Kingsford Homestead will reopen in May following a $10m luxury expansion.

THE Barossa Valley’s historic Kingsford Homestead will reopen in May following a $10m expansion designed to create the country’s premier accommodation, food and wine experience.

The estate was previously used as the Drover’s Run set for long-running Channel 9 drama McLeod’s Daughters.

The luxury development northeast of Gawler will include nine new suites, a function room with views of the property’s extensive grounds and a wine cellar showcasing the region’s shiraz wines, including a complete collection of Penfolds Grange.

Creating an exclusive yet authentically Australian experience for visitors is the vision of property owners, Stefan Ahrens and wife Leanne, who acquired the property from Kerry Packer in 2009.

Mr Ahrens, who runs the family’s national construction, engineering and agribusiness company from a facility less than 5km from the homestead, expects its location on the doorstep of South Australia’s best known wine region to attract international visitors.

One of Kingsford Homestead’s 16 suites. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“We’ve got 20 kangaroos on the property, 225 acres (90 hectares) of beautiful rolling hills and gums – it really is quintessential Australia,” he said. “We see something really special in developing an amazing food and wine experience, especially with the Barossa so close, and we want to become the No. 1 food and wine experience in Australia.

“Our aim is to have the best shiraz collection in the world and the best Champagne collection in Australia.”

With a history dating back to 1856, the Georgian-style country house was built by British pastoralist and entrepreneur Stephen King. Since its early use as a coach stop, the property has changed hands several times, and has been used to raise livestock and crops, as a base for agricultural research, and briefly as a preschool before its sale to Nine.

Kingsford Homestead is best known for its time as “Drovers Run” in hit TV series McLeod’s Daugthers. Actresses Bridie Carter and Simmone Jade Mackinnon pictured during filming.

A traditional German Kegelbahn features adjacent to the homestead’s new cellar. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

After taking over ownership, the Ahrens family restored and converted the property into a luxury retreat, offering spaces for weddings, special events and corporate retreats. Their latest project aims to elevate the property to a new luxury accommodation market.

Working closely with Barossa Valley architect Jamie Gladigau, they have helped design the new suites, including the premier “Matilda King Suite”, which will be priced at about $2000 a night.

Guests will also have access to new bars, a restaurant, revamped pool and outdoor entertaining area, and a purpose-built kegelbahn – a traditional German indoor bowling alley.

Mr Ahrens, whose family’s roots in the Barossa Valley date back more than 100 years, expects the offering to appeal to local and international visitors, corporate retreats, weddings and other events, and groups looking for a base to explore the region.

The new pool area under construction. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“This is really Leanne’s and my passion,” Mr Ahrens said.

“We’re very strong Barossa people with a deep connection to the community, and we see this as a bit of a legacy, something really special for the Barossa Valley.

“And because of our great contacts in the region, we’ll be able to bring in people’s favourite winemakers. It will be a really exclusive experience.”

Adelaide-based 1834 Hotels has been selected to manage the property, which is due to open at the start of May.

Kingsford Homestead. Picture: Tricia Watkinson