AL-RU Farm with Lisa McAskill and Catriona Rowntree
For Getaway Reporter, Catriona Rowntree, the essentials include a passport and travel alarm clock. Her brief is to explore the planet and she does it with style.
Despite being a world jet setter, Catriona is also a lover of all things South Australian and her base during her South Aussie escapades is AL-RU Farm at One Tree Hill.
As we walked around the stunning garden, it became clear why.
“It just smells so good walking through here doesn't it?” she said clutching a notebook. “I’ve got my notebook here for Ruth's gardening tips.”
Ruth and her husband Alan, hence the name AL-RU, created the garden from what was once a sheep paddock. In a little more than twenty years, they've transformed it into a garden to envy. Katriona discovered it on a Getaway shoot six years ago and has been visiting for Ruth's gardening tips ever since.
AL-RU is a unique combination of garden and nursery and you can visit it as part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme later in 2005. But if you can’t wait that long you can settle in a little longer at AL-RU's Bed and Breakfast accommodation.
The Pavillion is Ruth’s folly and Catriona's home away from home when in Adelaide.
"It's a classic Palladian type of villa,” explained Ruth. “But the doors are what made it all. I bought them west of Paris and had them sitting around for ages. That’s how we came to build it - we the doors. They've even got their original door furniture on them.”
Ruth's passion as a collector of all things beautiful becomes apparent when you step inside the Pavillion and the main house with its array of 18th century hand painted Chinese plates. But for something truly inspiring head into the Barn. It’s full of magnificent pieces like card tables from a French Chateau.
“They came out of a Chateau from Normandy and they are made from cherry wood,” explained Katriona. “Notice how one's lower than the other? The smaller one is for ladies and the bigger one for the gents.
“Aside from the garden and all the beautiful antiques, I love staying at AL-RU Farm because of the location. You've got the city about half an hour away, the Barossa half an hour, Clare Valley just a little further on.
“I don't think you're going to ever want to leave the garden. This is the perfect spot for a picnic. This is all you need.”
Yes... you are so right Catriona.
AL-RU Farm is at the junction of Black Top Road and One Tree Hill Road.
AL-RU Farm
The Garden Pavillion
Minimum 2 night stay
$330
Junction of Black Top Road and One Tree Hill Road
One Tree Hill
