Who We Are
MEET THE FAMILY BEHIND THE RETREAT
Riverland locals, Lauren and Michael purchased the property ‘Old Parcoola’ with visions of offering their future family the kind of childhood’s they had; roaming free in the environment (river for Michael, coastal for Lauren) and creating a lifelong connection to water.
Inspired by the memories they have created thus far and a desire to help others connect with the Murray, the Riverland and its people, they combined their skills and crafted a riverside escape.
A space where guests can feel the nurturing embrace of the river environment and indulge in life’s simple pleasures. They invite you to escape the busy, explore the river and embrace one another.
Parcoola Retreats is located in the Riverland, South Australia on the banks of the Murray River. Lauren and Michael look forward to hosting you and help you discover the magic of this region.
The property
It is believe that the site where Parcoola Retreats rests today was once a part of Parcoola Station. A property where wild brumbies roamed and bush rangers lurked. There are many untold stories of Parcoola, but this is one we do know.
Parcoola Station homestead was erected by James ‘Nobby’ White in 1865, he christened the wild and very scrubby run ‘Parcoola’ and it was on this country that brumbies grew up and flourished. Unfortunately the homestead is now just Heritage Listed ruins seen on your drive to Flow. The fisherman’s cottage next door to the homestead fared better over time and are now the site of Parcoola Retreats’ first tiny villa Flow. The stone cottage has been restored with love and offers a rustic outdoor relaxation space to compliment the modern tiny villa.
The stone cottage and the tiny villa are embraced by river Black box, a eucalypt species found on the high terraces of the river floodplain. The Murray River itself a mere 120m stroll from the retreat, the thoughtful positioning will immerse you in the serene environment while providing seclusion and privacy from the world beyond.
EMBRACING THE OLD, THE NEW AND THE NATURAL
Eco conscious living
Caring for this special place is part of every stay at Parcoola Retreats. From the beginning, we wanted to create somewhere that celebrates the Murray River while leaving a lighter footprint on the landscape.
Our tiny villa was purposefully designed to minimise its impact, while the original stone cottage has been lovingly restored using reclaimed and repurposed materials, including second-hand Oregon beams, a restored clawfoot bath and hardwood flooring given a second life from a former Adelaide community hall.
We harvest rainwater for bathing, use water-efficient fixtures, provide recycling facilities and choose biodegradable or reusable cleaning products wherever possible. We continue to reduce single-use plastics and are always looking for new ways to improve our environmental performance.
Supporting the Riverland is equally important to us. We encourage guests to discover local wineries, producers and family-owned businesses, helping ensure the region continues to flourish for generations to come.
Sustainability isn't something we've finished. It's a commitment to continually learning, improving and caring for the place we're proud to call home.
A LIGHTER FOOT PRINT
Parcoola Retreats is a 3 hour drive north east of Adelaide and a 20 minute drive from Barmera. Parcoola Retreats is located on private property with an approximately 3km long unsealed dirt driveway.
On the drive into the retreat, please keep a speed of 40km/hr and giveway to lizards, kangaroos and emus. If you are not familiar with Australian roads or country driving, we recommend arriving to Parcoola Retreats when it is still daylight.
OVERLAND CORNER, RIVERLAND SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Getting here
DRIVING TIMES
3 hr drive northeast of Adelaide
2 hr drive west of Mildura