Trestrail Cottage Sevenhill review | SA’s Great Travel Planner

In your own private sauna out in the bush, you can sit and tip water on to the scalding stones, melting the cares of a working week away.

They’re not joking at Trestrail Cottage when they say their aim is to make you wind down. There’s no internet, a tiny TV (your laptop screen is probably bigger), and certainly no satellite channels.

But there is the sound of the wind as it rushes through a hundred acres (40ha) of red stringybarks, rustling millions of leaves.

There is a long walk down the grassy path of one hill and up the next one, where a mob of kangaroos stand suddenly still and look inquisitively at you.

And there’s your own private sauna out in the bush, where you can sit and tip water on to the scalding stones, melting the cares of a working week away.

Yep, you’re winding down already.

The rustic sandstone cabin sits on one of the property’s hilltops, lovingly hand-built by locals Vivian and Sue Ziersch and their family back in the 1980s, and opened as a B&B in 1992. They also revegetated the land to complement the adjacent Spring Gully conservation reserve.

The view all around is empty of people: gum-laden hills, the odd farm field, and the reflection of sky on a distant dam.

Trestrail Cottage is set in beautiful surrounds.

The cabin is perfect for a couple – a single bedroom, a bathroom with a deep claw bath from which you can see the night sky full of stars, and a combined living, dining and kitchen area with a dark slate floor.

A combustion heater belts out the warmth in winter, and the kitchen has all you need for making your own meals – fridge, microwave, stove, electric frying pan. The dining room table is made from a beautiful polished slab of local timber and affords a quiet bush view as you tuck into your meal.

The lounge is scattered with comfy armchairs and a couch, and the decor is rustic Australiana. The small TV sits inside its own cabinet, hidden away like an addict’s stash. There’s a big pile of DVDs if you really need a fix. But there’s no dock for your smartphone, although there’s also a CD/radio player tucked away with the TV.

Otherwise, there are plenty of old books and board games to keep you occupied. Or, if you’re like me, there’s a lot of pleasure to be had in just staring into the red glow of the fireplace, enjoying a glass of wine from one of the local wineries.

The property is just outside Sevenhill, and named after original owner John Trestrail, a Cornishman lured to South Australia by copper.

Inside the sauna at Trestrail Cottage.

Trestrail’s land extended further into the valley, where it encompassed the plot now occupied by the vineyards of nearby Skillogalee.

The secret with places like this is to give yourself time to unwind. It’s easy to feel a little panicky when first you unplug from the 24/7 world – what will I do with all this time? – but that quickly disappears.

Trestrail’s owners generally require a two-day booking. In my case, the Friday night had been taken so I was able to stay just one – but by day two I was really beginning to relax and slow down, and I found myself wishing I had a second night ahead.

The property is perfectly positioned as a base to explore the valley. But you can find plenty of things to do just by heading out the door.

There are several walking trails on the block, and you might even end up at Vivian’s studio. The housepainter and shearer is something of an artist.

These days his daughter-in-law Lisa looks after the bookings, and she has left us with a terrific selection of locally-made bacon, eggs, cake, bread, jams and more for our breakfast. As well, there’s a generous midday check-out. Just enough time to sit outside with one final cup of coffee and the sound of nothing but the wind in the gum trees.

Reviews are unannounced and paid for by SA Weekend

This review was first printed in September 2016 and had details updated in March 2021

• 144 Sawmill Rd, Sevenhill
• 0437 839 043
• trestrailcottage.com.au [e-mail]
• LOCATION 133km north of Adelaide, in Clare Valley
• ACCOMMODATION Single bedroom stone cottage, with outside insect-proof deck for summer sleeping. Separate hot-rock, wood-fired sauna, winter season only.
• FACILITIES Small TV and DVD player, CD/radio, games, woodburner, airconditioning, single bathroom with bath and shower, self containing kitchenette, barbecue, fire pit, bush walking, laundry
• PRICE $220-$280 a night, two-night minimum stay