The Frames, Paringa review: Luxury perched high on a cliff

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This was published 9 years ago

The Frames, Paringa review: Luxury perched high on a cliff

By Sue Wallace
Stunning river views: The Frames.

Stunning river views: The Frames.

THE LOCATION

The mighty Murray River takes centre stage at The Frames, whether bathed in soft moonlight or brilliant sunshine. Three luxury retreats are perched high on a red cliff on a river bend in Paringa, a small town near Renmark. The commanding views come with mirrored water reflections and extensive birdlife. You may even spot a koala in trees on the opposite side of the river.

Designed by Adelaide architect Paul Pruszinski, the striking self-contained accommodation, which opened in February, ingeniously "frames" the stunning river views.

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THE SPACE

The spacious arc-shaped retreats follow the land contours and while all have the same luxury features, they all differ. Montage caters for a couple and has an outdoor bath, heated pool, infra-red sauna and circular hydrotherapy spa, while Collage has two identical bedrooms and two bathrooms separated by a large hydrotherapy spa with Smart TV on the wall. There is a heated lap pool with a waterfall and an impressive barbecue area. Pastiche, my favourite, has a riverfront bedroom where you can watch the waterway in all its glory.

COMFORT

Step through the doors and you are cocooned in comfort and indulgence, whether it's sinking into the bubbles of the spa or turning the bed massage on high. Discovering the secrets of the Murray and the charm of the Riverland also soothes the soul.

THE KIT

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There is a sense of space and seclusion along with quality furnishings, interesting decor and eclectic works by local artist Garry Duncan. Pastiche reflects the colours of the Riverland and has an open-plan living room and kitchen separated by a gas fire. Sprawl out on the olive leather couch and select a movie or turn up the music. The chic kitchen is well equipped and there's an outdoor barbecue/kitchen area. A sunken spa bath, sauna, two vanities and double-headed rain shower with spa jets and river views create a bathroom "adventure". The "ergomotion" king-size bed with quality linen has a massage mode and there is a separate dressing area. The deck is perfect for savouring those blood-red sunsets.

THE FOOD

We pre-ordered a two-course dinner prepared by a local caterer and dined on tomato and basil soup and gourmet rice and oriental chicken matched to a fine local drop. The kitchen features spices and condiments, quality coffee and teas and the breakfast offers home-made muesli, jams, bacon, eggs, spinach and mushrooms.

Seasonal fruit is supplied by owners Cathy and Rick Edmonds, who grow citrus and grapes on a nearby farm and have other accommodation at Mildura, Broken Hill and Port Hughes, where they won Australian Tourism Awards for deluxe accommodation.

Nanya Bistro at the Renmark Hotel showcases the produce of the Riverland. For a winery hop visit Banrock Station Wine and Wetlands Centre, Caudo Vineyard at Waikerie, 919 Wines at Glossop and Angove RenmarkCellar Door.

GOING OUT

The beauty and secrets of the river are shared at sunset aboard The Frames' gondola, which in another life starred in Stefano de Pieri's ABC-TV cooking series, A Gondola on the Murray.

The chef has lent the 100-year old classic wooden boat to the Edmonds, who have given it a makeover. As the gondola chugs along the river, we sip bubbles and nibble on a cheese platter, mesmerised by the river life.

We later head out on The Frames' half-day river cruise in a comfortable "tinnie" that takes us to secluded lagoons and back creeks with names such as No Duck Lagoon and Dead Man's Creek. We tie up on the banks below the rustic Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery, home of the local Amazon Ale, for a taste test.

THE VERDICT

A haven - perfect for the time-poor - where you can relax and watch pelicans soar, all from your deck or, even better, out on the river. A new frame of mind soon sets in.

HOW TO GET THERE

The Frames at Paringa is a three-hour drive from Adelaide or 80-minutes from Mildura. Pick-up and car hire can be arranged from Mildura and Adelaide airports, which both have daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne.

ESSENTIALS

The Frames, 7 Panorama Court, Paringa, South Australia. Priced from $750 to $790 a couple a night, including gourmet breakfast, chocolates and bottle of wine. A gondola cruise and half-day river cruises are extras.

An inhouse chef can be arranged for $300 for two, gourmet heat-and-serve two-course $100 , three-course $145, a gourmet barbecue pack - cook yourself - is $100, with a supreme pack $120. Phone 0418 862 260; see theframes.com.au.

The writer was a guest of South Australian Tourism.

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