Hamilton House, Kangaroo Island: The luxury beachhouse you'll never want to leave

A mug of fresh coffee in hand, I grab a snuggly throw from the basket of blankets by the ranch slider and head out to one of the sun loungers on the deck.

It’s a brisk morning on , but I couldn’t be more at peace, as the sun starts to rise up over Emu Bay. The wool blanket is keeping me cosy as I look out to the dreamy golden reflection of the sunrise lighting a path on the ocean.

The only sounds are the birds starting their morning chorus; no motorways, no traffic, no construction noises, no noisy neighbours.

I’m staying at Hamilton House, a four-bedroom beach house that does a remarkable job of combining luxury with a retro, vintage aesthetic in an utterly blissful setting.

This multi-generational home is a much-loved property steeped in family history for the owners Emily and Richard Young, and it’s been opened up for visitors to enjoy a slice of this South Australian paradise.

Situated on a 4000sqm block on Emu Bay, the property has an expansive living area with floor to ceiling windows out to the deck and a magnificent ocean view. It’s a prime spot for watching the sunrise up over the bay, or lazy summer evenings entertaining on the deck.

The house has a strong 1960s ambience, with teal walls, leather couches and mustard yellow linen, but it’s been renovated to include a more contemporary kitchen and living space with modern touches and mod cons, bespoke artworks, comforting furnishings with mid-century accents with a nod to family history.

Driftwood and shells are artfully placed on shelving as decor, timber trims offer a rustic influence and large curated artworks add character and interest to the ample living space.

I’m staying in the King room, a generous ocean-view room adjacent to the living area with walk-in robe and ensuite. The room is big enough to also house a couch, a wicker sun lounger and a small writing desk and has a separate sliding door out to the main deck.

From the bed, which is dressed in organic linen – lush against the skin - wake to the golden light of the morning sun peeping through the curtains. The ensuite has a large shower and vanity with plenty of shelving and storage for bathroom amenities.

Sustainability is a core feature, as the house has solar roof panels and a Tesla battery storage system. There’s also an envirocycle water recycling system, and they rely on rain water. There’s a barbecue outside, the kitchen has every appliance you could possibly need including tea and coffee making facilities and a Nespresso machine, handmade crockery and pottery and an extensive array of cookware.

A heat pump and wood burner in the living room will keep you cosy in the cooler months, and for summer stays there’s a hot and cold outdoor shower.

My favourite addition is a basket full of blankets and throws by the door to keep you snuggly at night.

Hamilton House has a full kitchen so you have everything you need for self-catering. Breakfast can be arranged, so expect to see the kitchen counter adorned with freshly baked bread, a giant bowl of fresh fruit, spreads, yoghurt and cereals.

You can even arrange home catering with an in-house chef if you truly want to indulge.

Dining options at night can be limited in Kangaroo Island but there are some great eateries nearby. Grab some pizza and local brews at the Kangaroo Island Brewery, or for a unique culinary experience head to The Odd Plate and be dazzled by a degustation meal featuring plenty of fresh seafood and exquisitely prepared and presented sharing plates.

While it would be perfectly understandable to want to stay put at Hamilton House, there’s so much to see and do in the area. You can snorkel with wild dolphins with Kangaroo Island Marine Adventures at Emu Bay or try a gin tasting experience at Kangaroo Island Spirits.

In the summer months there are beautiful white sandy beaches to walk and swim at nearby, a playground, or try paddleboarding. And not to mention the many furry friends you’ll discover in the neighbourhood – kangaroos, wallabies and even koalas may frequent the garden, as well as little blue penguins down by the Emu Bay jetty. At night, look up and see a beautiful starry sky.

The views.

Coming home one night and discovering kangaroos and wallabies in the garden.

I visited in May, and was a little chilly. There is a heat pump but the big house makes it hard for the heat to flow through the other rooms.

The perfect space for a relaxed getaway for multi-generational holidays or a group of adults, and a great base to explore everything Kangaroo Island has to offer.

Kangaroo Island is a 45-minute ferry ride from Cape Jervis in South Australia, which is a 90-minute drive from Adelaide. Air New Zealand flies direct to Adelaide three times a week.

The entire beach house starts at A$800 (NZ$880) per night for 2 people, then $100 per additional person per night.

Flying generates carbon emissions. To reduce your impact, consider other ways of travelling, amalgamate your trips, and when you need to fly, consider offsetting emissions. .

For the latest Australia travel requirements, see: . For rules on returning to New Zealand, see: