Stay review: Inside Kingsford the Barossa, the former home featured in hit TV show McLeod Daughters

Bought in 2023 and given a huge fancy facelift, this Barossa Valley homestead is now the jewel in the crown of our state’s stays. Take a look inside.

Kingsford Barossa photos for SA Weekend travel story. Pics: Supplied

It takes less than 45 minutes on the northern expressway for the big wooden gates of our much-anticipated destination to come into view.

Driving up the pathway to the majestic old homestead, it’s easy to visualise Claire and Tess McLeod on horseback at the entrance, such is the property’s celebrated history.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, Kingsford the Barossa was better known as Drover’s Run during the early 2000s, when it played host to beloved Australian TV drama McLeod’s Daughters.

Now it has another starring role as a luxury regional retreat and it’s our home for the following two nights.

We’re greeted outside by friendly concierge Shannon and enthusiastic guide Brendan, who’s dressed in Steve Irwin-like khaki with a personality to match.

He takes our car and delivers our luggage direct to our room, while Shannon gives a brief tour of the revamped Kingsford, but not before handing us a welcome glass of bubbly.

First appearances can be deceptive but it’s hard not to be impressed by its natural beauty. Set among the Australian countryside, the 91ha state heritage-listed property perfectly blends old with the new, thanks to a considered $10m redevelopment in 2021.

The interiors boast of light colours and luxury furnishings. Picture: Supplied.

Kingsford Barossa is best known as the home that featured in McLeod Daughters. Picture: Supplied

The original Georgian-style country house, built in 1856 by British pastoralist Stephen King, has received a facelift to its eight heritage rooms, and sits nicely alongside the newer buildings. These include a large wedding/function room, outdoor saltwater pool, two bars,
fine-dining restaurant Orleana and four Valley View suites.

They’re among 16 rooms available at the Kingsford, a number that’s about to increase thanks to a further expansion by new owners, funds house Salter Brothers, which bought the property last October.

Soon we’re escorted to one of those lush, 105sq m suites, and it’s predictably gorgeous – as you would expect from accommodation that will set you back upwards of $1300 a night.

With light pastel pink hues throughout, there’s a kingsize bed, spacious lounge area and all the smart technology you can handle. At a touch of the button you can open or close two different curtains, lower the retracting TV or turn off all the lights.

The generous ensuite bathroom has a two-person bath and his and hers showers, which feels like the ultimate indulgence. The heated tiles are an added plus and among the many high-end features.

But the real showstopper is the incredible views of the rolling fields out through the suite’s floor-to-ceiling glass windows. It’s a stunning scene best enjoyed at sunset (or sunrise) from the loungers on the deck or in the private plunge pool, which is heated around-the-clock to a warm 36C. In the mornings, if you listen closely, you can even hear the cows mooing in the distance as the water bubbles around you. Bliss.

The Kingsford’s on-site restaurant, Orleana, offers plenty for the discerning diner. After a pre-dinner cocktail at the Lodge Bar, courtesy of our personable bartender Santiago, we’re taken to our table and given a veritable feast as part of the venue’s History of Kingsford menu.

Each of the seven courses by new executive chef De Buys Nortier is linked to the property’s past, starting with the native yabby, through to the potato and thyme gnocchi, and the Wagyu beef cheek with horseradish mash and shiraz reduction. The degustation is $185 a person, which is good value considering the quality of the cuisine, and comes with three tiers of wine pairings, starting at $135. There’s an a la carte option for those who prefer to choose their own dishes.

The pool area is the perfect spot in the summer months. Pics: Supplied

Rooms feature luxe baths and double vanities. Pics: Supplied

On this quiet Sunday night, there’s only two other couples in the venue, which hurts the atmosphere slightly. But we’re told Saturday was bustling with guests, many of whom checked out by the end of the weekend.

The restaurant faces east, just like our suite, though is situated one floor above, and the view from our table comes into its own the next morning at breakfast.

As we tuck into pastries, followed by some scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, the breathtaking vista makes for a special start to the day.

Now it’s time to become one with nature and explore everything the Kingsford has to offer. We kick things off with one of their signature experiences, a bush bath in the open air, just a short drive from the accommodation.

Admittedly, we were a bit sceptical at first. An outdoor bath in the middle of winter? But we lucked out with the weather and it was a bright, sunny day. The location is secluded by the river and we thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing soak in the tub, complete with bath salts, body wash, and a small bottle of Mumm.

There’s a serenity to the experience and it’s a great way disconnect from the outside world (there’s no phone reception in the area, just a walkie talkie to arrange our return back to the homestead).

The bar area with outdoor open fire is a drawcard. Pics: Supplied

Later in the afternoon, our guide Brendan takes us on an hour-long ATV tour of the expansive property, showing off its highest points across the rolling hills and an up-close look at the wildlife.

Brendan has worked at resorts all around the country, and entertained celebrity guests including Margot Robbie and Cate Blanchett. But he can’t stop raving about the “slice of Australia” on our doorstep at the Kingsford, and as we stop to gaze back at the homestead from the top of a hill, with the sun setting in the background, well, it’s easy to see why.

Those are just a couple of the experiences available for guests, with others including a tour of the wine tunnel and vaults – which house more than $1.7m worth of wine and champagne – a private picnic, kangaroo walking trails and a star gazing night by the fire pit.

Sporty types can also have a go at their two-lane Kegelbahn, a German indoor bowling alley using nine pins instead of 10. Once banned in Europe and the US for being too addictive, the game was brought to Australia where no restrictions existed.

Trickier to master than traditional 10-pin bowling, I can confirm it will keep you enthralled for longer than expected.

So, how does the Kingsford compare to other luxe retreats around the state? There’s no shortage of options in the Barossa, from The Louise to Le Mas, while the gold standard of recent times has been Sequoia Lodge at Mount Lofty.

Frankly, it’s hard to split them, but it’s safe to say Kingsford belongs in the same conversation for its opulence and high level of service, in every aspect of the stay.

While the price might deter some, for those who can afford to splurge, you’ll be almost certain to enjoy a memorable weekend away.

The writer was a guest of Kingsford The Barossa