Major redevelopment of Kingsford The Barossa includes new guest suites, day spa for heritage
It was the home for a darling of Australian TV – now it’s being upgraded into multimillion-dollar luxury tourism retreat.
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One of Australia’s finest luxury retreats would have an even bigger upgrade under a new proposal by the current owners, Salter Brothers.
Kingsford The Barossa, a five-star tourism facility that has operated since 2012, would have nine additional guest suites built, along with a day spa, workers accommodation and redeveloped entrance gate under the plan.
The addition of the guest suites will take the existing number at the property from 16 to 25, and is expected to cater to an extra 18 people.
The home became famous as Drover’s Run, the central location in the Aussie favourite TV show McLeod’s Daughters.
The proposal also seeks to provide a new concierge for arriving guests “taking advantage of the visual grandeur of the old homestead upon arrival”, a Ethos Urban report said.
“This will involve the removal of some of the existing original stone fencing and reuse of existing staff quarters for check in,” it said.
“Additional carparking is being made available to guests along the southern portion of the car park, to the north of the homestead. The new parking spaces will have a new roof over with solar panels.
“The proposal seeks to upgrade the existing timber gate with an iron gate and extend the masonry from the existing stone wall.”
The 91ha state heritage-listed property features 16 suites, three bar areas, a restaurant, a 21m-long wine cellar, function room, outdoor saltwater pool and even a Kegelbahn – a traditional German indoor bowling alley.
The original Georgian-style country house was built in 1856 by British pastoralist and entrepreneur Stephen King.
After a $10m transformation in 2021, previous owners the Ahrens family sold the luxury property to Salter Brothers in 2023 – with Mr Ahrens saying the sale would benefit “both” parties.
“The Salter Brothers have the capacity, the brands and the marketing power to spread the word globally about Kingsford – and the Barossa. Both will benefit and that is important to us,” he told The Advertiser last year.
“We have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place. That extends beyond the immediate family to the broader Ahrens team and our suppliers. A huge amount of people have worked hard to rejuvenate Kingsford The Barossa and we are very grateful to all of
them.”
Community consultation on the proposed upgrade is available until Wednesday, May 22.
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Originally published as Major redevelopment of Kingsford The Barossa includes new guest suites, day spa for heritage
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