About Old Coach Road Estate
Old Coach Road Estate (OCRE) is a luxury, self-catering retreat in central Fleurieu Peninsula. The beautiful accommodation provides the perfect getaway with its gorgeous stone walls, stunning architecture, open indoor fireplace and natural surrounds. Added to this are absolutely spectacular views, a secluded yet easily accessed position, and many special extras that come with your stay.
The Traditional Owners and Dreamtime Stories
We acknowledge the Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri and Peramangk people who are the Traditional Owners of the land upon which Old Coach Road Estate is situated. We especially pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future.
The area is spiritually significant in terms of the Dreamtime stories of Ngurunderi and Kondoli. Ngurunderi is the great Dreamtime ancestral being of the Ngarrindjeri Nation and you might like to read about him here. Kondoli was a very large and strong man who became the whale. This Dreamtime story tells of the Creation of how people became the various animals, birds and fish of the region.
At Old Coach Road Estate we have a beautiful and original Cedric Varcoe painting in which he depicts the stories of Ngurunderi and Kondoli. Our hardcopy Visitor's Guide also includes Cedric's handwritten version of the stories for you to enjoy during your stay.
History and Connections to a Bygone Era
In the early days of European settlement, Old Coach Road was a very rough track, traversed in by those travelling in horse drawn vehicles from Mount Compass to Victor Harbor. Nowadays it is a “no through” tree-lined dirt road with stunning views on both sides. Remnants of the cart wheel ruts that were carved into the ground can still be seen today in parts of the OCRE paddocks adjoining the current road.
Pambula, the farm adjacent to Old Coach Road Estate, overlooks Hindmarsh Valley down to Victor Harbor. We purchased Pambula in 1993 and we enjoyed observing the slow but steady development of OCRE next door. When we had the opportunity to purchase the OCRE property in 2019, we just couldn't wait to renovate the home with the environment in mind and continue the revegetation and restoration of the surrounding natural environment. With the house renovation we replaced all windows and doors with floor to ceiling double glazing, maximised the collection of rainwater from the roof and added solar panels, preparing OCRE for others to enjoy the place whilst reducing the potential impact upon the environment. The home is totally dependent upon rainwater alone, providing beautiful showers for our guests! The regeneration of the natural environment around OCRE continues as we work to control weeds and revegetate the creek-lines and swampy areas of the property. The surrounding paddocks are sparingly grazed by our Black Angus cattle and Boer goats, utilising regenerative agricultural practises to minimise adverse impacts. The biodiversity of Pambula and OCRE has improved dramatically in the years since 1993, and now we have the opportunity to share this special place with our guests.
Restoration and Revegetation
Since purchasing the adjacent farm in 1993, our family has worked hard to preserve and enhance the natural environment through protection of remnant heritage scrub and revegetation of the working farm using local native species. It is estimated that more than 20,000 trees and bushes have been grown as a result of this work we have undertaken on “Pambula”, which includes some 20km of direct seeding of groundcover, bushes and trees that are native to the region.
This has resulted in improvement of the amenity of the environs and has attracted a wide range of birds that are now seen on the property each day. Not only is the area now a bird-lovers' paradise, but the revegetation also provides better shelter for the stock and improved pasture quality.
A New Chapter: Renovation
In 2019 the opportunity arose to purchase the property south of Pambula which included the OCRE house, and we saw this as an opportunity to renovate the house, rejuvenate the land and create a beautiful place for others to stay while enabling them to get close to nature. So although OCRE was purchased only relatively recently, our family is very connected with it, having had our 3 children grow up enjoying the adjacent property and watching the changes at OCRE during the past several decades.
We’re passionate about what we have achieved together on the broader property which now, together with OCRE, measures more than 200 acres. We are thrilled to provide the opportunity for others to enjoy some of South Australia’s native wildlife and flora and such natural beauty in an environmentally friendly, yet luxurious way.
Your Luxurious Fleurieu Getaway Awaits
Old Coach Road Estate (OCRE) has been transformed into a luxurious villa situated on our beautiful 201 acre rural property overlooking Victor Harbor and Granite Island. The views are absolutely stunning and the location is secluded, with heritage scrub and wildlife, yet multiple attractions and gorgeous beaches and waterfalls are only a few minutes drive away. The beautiful home features internal walls and an open fireplace of local stone, is fully air-conditioned yet eco-friendly with solar panels, double glazing, rainwater supply and environmentally friendly waste management.
Our guests love the personalised preparation we undertake for their stay, with pillow preferences, selection of their preferred complimentary wine and/or spirits included. OCRE guests enjoy the large hamper of local sweet and savoury treats, and the local cheese platter that awaits their arrival. Other luxuries include toiletries, bath salts to use in the gorgeous claw foot bath with fluffy gowns and slippers to complete the experience. And of course it is hard to beat the luxury of pure rainwater baths and showers, especially when followed by sipping local port in front of the open fire! Of course we have the fireplace fully prepared and ready to light and firewood is provided free of charge.
Words From
Our Guests
Bliss, that is what you will feel after staying here. Stunning views of Hindmarsh Valley from every window. The house is well equipped and very comfortable, the fireplace is amazing. Leaving the sounds of the city behind as the only sound here is that of the birds in the nearby bush land. Watch the local wild kangaroos as they graze in nearby paddocks from the comfort of the verandahs, walk in bushland or just get comfy on one of the couches in front of the fireplace. The house is only a short drive to Mount Compas or Victor Harbor for supplies.