Do you have kids in desperate need of entertainment?
Perhaps you’ve got interstate guests coming to stay over the holidays?
Did your lover just pop the question, and the stress of planning a wedding has just hit you?
Maybe you’re simply looking to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine this Summer?
It’s time to make the short ride up the freeway to Mt Barker, where the stunning Auchendarroch House (and everything it encompasses) awaits you.
A quick snapshot of history…
Originally built by Lachlan McFarlane as a hotel in 1860, Auchendarroch House has been home to some of the most influential families in South Australia. Purchased by the Barr Smith family in 1878, it was used as a summer home from October through to April each year. This wasn’t just a casual summer shack though, as Robert Barr Smith added an additional 30 rooms to the property!
Image Credit :: State Library of South Australia
The house has survived wars and been used as an aged care facility. It’s been publicly owned and privately cherished, and it’s been torn apart and put back together again. Basically, it’s seen it all!
Finally, it’s landed in the hands of the Wallis family, who have strived to restore Auchendarroch House to it’s former glory – sparing no expense in refitting the rooms with original William Morris wallpaper and maintaining it’s rich history to share with the community.
Experiences
Auchendarroch House is there to be explored and enjoyed, and there are many experiences that celebrate this. The house is the centrepiece, surrounded by large gardens and some of the most stunning roses I’ve ever seen (a tribute from Michelle Wallis to her late father, Bob). The huge front lawn is any picnickers dream come true and is the perfect place for kids to run around while you sit back and enjoy the sunshine.
To explore and experience the area fully, you should DEFINITELY Discover The Gardens’, which runs every Sunday from October to March. For only $45 you receive a guided tour of the gardens, a high tea (I’m still dreaming about the tea cakes), and a self-guided tour of Auchendarroch House.
Make a day of it, and catch a movie afterwards – you’ll find one of the renowned Wallis cinemas sitting right next door so you can catch a flick and then maybe even stick around for some dinner…
Eats
Anyone that knows us, knows that the EATS are one of our favourite parts! At Auchendarroch House, there’s plenty to choose from in just about any dining style that you could wish for. Theres the high tea, which was mentioned above…
There’s the Oak + Iron restaurant, which offers a casual family meal that everyone will love, in both the summer AND the winter…
And there’s the brand new Thriller, which serves wood fire pizza so you can grab a bite before you head next door to catch a movie! You can even pick up a takeaway pizza and head outside to enjoy on the lawns – pure bliss!
Events
A wedding space in a picturesque setting, that is a one-stop-shop for the ceremony AND the reception? Sign me and my imaginary fiancé up! Auchendarroch House gives you the opportunity to hold your wedding ceremony in the gardens for all those romantic vibes, before heading into one of the original rooms for the reception and the party vibes.
Of course, you don’t have to be getting married to enjoy the event spaces available – significant birthdays, board meetings, conferences, family reunions, or any other kind of gathering that you can think of are all welcome! The team will make sure that whatever the occasion, your big day will be one to remember.
We spent the entire day at Auchendarroch House, and still hadn’t finished exploring when it was time to leave – there is so much to experience and learn about. Whatever the occasion, make time to head up the hill and visit this historical landmark.
Millie x
