Longwood Retreat

The huge common room and kitchen make this a great place for a low key get together with a large family or group of friends. There’s plenty of seating, a walk in fridge, kitchen equipment and cutlery, plus table tennis, a pool table and board games, so even a rainy day is covered. I can imagine people gathering by the wood fired oven in winter. Outside, there are tidy spots for a sausage sizzle, kids to run around, or just sitting and enjoying the surroundings. The rooms are basic but perfectly fine, and linen, towels, soap and en suites were provided. I’ve taken a star off because they tried to charge us extra well after we’d booked.

A good spot for a group get together, with a large community hall and enough rooms and space. There’s a firewood area inside the hall and they provide the firewood. No heating, though.

The setting in the Adelaide Hills is the main draw, with nice scenery and parks nearby if you have a car. Worrowong Sanctuary is just down the road. The campfire area is pleasant and set up well, though you pay for the wood if you don’t collect it yourself. The property is mostly a hillside, with a dam at one end and the camp at the other. It’s a bit of a climb back from the dam, so it’s not an easy casual visit. The tent area is right by Stock Road, an arterial road with traffic day and night, even on weekdays, so passing cars may disturb tent sleepers. The original builders did a fairly good job, and the campsite was clean, but upkeep could be better. The dining room is rather dark because the middle row of lights is missing or not working. The owners were friendly enough, but seemed miserly compared with similar campsites. They charge by the room instead of by the building, and don’t allow access to extra facilities to avoid cleaning. Other campsites let you use all rooms and facilities as long as you clean up after yourselves. I didn’t get the sense the caretakers really enjoyed the job. Given how close it is to Adelaide, they probably aren’t short of customers. It felt as if a few bad groups had soured them on everyone who stays there. It’ll do if you’re okay with being limited to as few rooms and toilet and shower facilities as possible, and with signs everywhere saying not to do things or that facilities are unavailable.

I wanted a quick break from the city on my recent first trip to Adelaide, and this was good value. The gardens were gorgeous and well kept to wander around, and it was peaceful and quiet. Service was great, and we also enjoyed going to nearby suburbs for dinner.