As the gates to Sequoia Lodge ease open, it’s impossible not to be drawn to the sculptural trunk of the giant conifer soaring towards the sky. It’s one of three remaining sequoias planted by the property’s original owner Arthur Hardy more than 175 years ago and its steadfast majesty is an apt totem for the luxurious retreat located atop Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills. Just a 30-minute drive from Adelaide Airport (or 20 from the CBD), Sequoia Lodge is secreted away within the manicured 12ha estate of Mount Lofty House. Despite being so close, the city couldn’t feel further away. The lodge is designed to maximise the natural wonder of the Piccadilly Valley, with each of its 14 suites offering panoramic views whether from the deep bathtub, bedroom, sunken lounge or the day bed on the private balcony.
The lodge provides a variety of onsite experiences catering to all tastes and energy levels. At welcome drinks, guests learn more about the property’s past, including its importance to the creation stories of four Indigenous nations and Arthur Hardy’s development of the site. A glass of Sequoia bubbles, made with grapes harvested from vineyards within sight, pairs perfectly with the history lesson.
Food and wine are central to the Sequoia experience. You can explore the range of handcrafted and award-winning cheeses from the Adelaide Hills’ cheesemaker Section28 in a masterclass run by a knowledgeable Sequoia host. Other local makers are regularly invited to visit and share their expertise to give further insight into the fruits of the region.
An unmissable addition to a stay is dining at the three-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, just a short walk away in nearby Mount Lofty House. Stop off at Hardy’s Bar on the way for a pre-dinner drink before continuing on to the restaurant for a five-course degustation celebrating local produce. A humble beetroot might be transformed via a 12-hour slow cook, local meats and poultry will be gently dry-aged onsite, while seasonal fruit might present in a sweet or savoury dish. Pair each course with a matched wine carefully selected by the sommelier, or venture down to the exceedingly well-stocked cellar (1,100-plus labels are represented among the 3,500 bottles).
While Sequoia’s beautiful natural setting can be appreciated from inside the lodge, it can only be fully experienced by getting outside. One of the best ways is to join a Sequoia guide on a nature walk through the Piccadilly Valley, Cleland Wildlife Park or a section of the Heysen Trail. Or find your own path through the adjoining Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens. When weather permits, the daily yoga class is also outdoors. The artesian spring-fed pools are another, more sedate way to immerse in the environment. Two of the pools are warmed to a delicious 38–40˚C. A dip in the nearby infinity pool is just cool enough to steal your breath at 28˚C. While enjoyable at any time of day, they’re spectacular at sunset.
The most recent addition to Sequoia’s offering is a temperature therapy experience at the Gatekeeper’s Day Spa, with traditional and infrared saunas and hot and cold plunge baths available. Guests can also book additional treatments at the day spa housed in a historic cottage on the property or in their suites.
While your hosts at Sequoia offer the type of personalised service that makes it difficult to leave, the lodge’s proximity not only to the Adelaide Hills but also the R.M.Williams workshop and the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale wine region makes exploration hard to say no to. As the gateway to South Australia’s wine regions, the estate is within an hour’s drive of more than 200 cellar doors and vineyards. Whether travelling by car (you can book a Ferrari) or boarding a helicopter for a short flight from the onsite helipad, these South Australian gems can be enjoyed on a day trip before returning to the lodge and once again sinking into the quiet luxury that Sequoia offers.
