The Ponder Cottage
The largest of our 1-bedroom cottages, the Ponder Cottage offers you an extra generous open-plan living area; being surrounded by mature native vegetation it is the perfect McLaren Vale retreat.
Our Ponder Cottage is the original shed (previously used as a teenage retreat when we purchased the property), which we have stripped back to its bones and put together again to bring it to the same standard as our purpose built new cottages. The now exposed steel structure plus other features, like the sliding barn door we have salvaged from another shed on the property, gives this cottage extra character. With more than 60 sqm (excluding the deck), there is an abundance of space to spread out and the extra large floor-to-ceiling glass doors and windows bring the outside in. You might even spot a koala in the gum trees from the comfort of your couch!
Check out our images and full list of amenities below or head straight to our booking page for more information and to secure your stay. With better rates, more flexible cancel policies plus a guaranteed late check-out and a set of wine pouring discs included when booking direct, there is no better place to book your McLaren Vale accommodation!
With 63 sqm of space (excluding the large private deck), the Ponder Cottage offers an abundance of space, sleeps a maximum of 2 guests and features the following amenities:
Kitchen & Dining​
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Fully equipped kitchen, with 4 burner stove, oven, microwave, bar fridge
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Dining area with large dining table and 4 chairs
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Lavazza or Vittoria Espresso Pod machine
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Coffee Plunger (or French Press)
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Coffee pods & coffee for plunger
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Selection of 8 different black & herbal teas
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Extra virgin olive oil, salt & pepper to whip up a bacon and egg breakfast
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Refined wine glasses
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Gourmet breakfast hamper (see below for details)
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Premium bottle of McLaren Vale wine
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Bathroom
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Walk-in shower with large rain shower head
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Hair-dryer & nourishing toiletries
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Sheridan towels
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Bedroom
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Queen bed with luxurious pillow-top mattress
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Allergy friendly doona and pillows
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Sheridan linen
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Ceiling fan
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​Baby cot available (on request)
Living ​
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Comfortable couch, plus two arm chairs with pouf (ottoman)
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Bluetooth speaker
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Selection of local magazines and area information, like maps and details of our "wine walking trails"
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Flat-screen TV
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Gas Log Heater
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Reverse cycle air conditioning / heating
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Extra large deck, surrounded by native vegetation, with outdoor dining furniture, to enjoy the views with a glass of wine
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Throw blankets, to keep you cosy on the deck
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Other
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Allergy friendly hard-floors throughout
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Mix of modern & vintage furniture
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Iron and ironing board
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Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors to maximise the beautiful views
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Free Wifi
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Off-street parking
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Access to communal area with gas BBQ, extra large dining table and open fire place
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Cheese platters available (pre-booking required)
Your Breakfast Hamper
All our rates include a sumptuous, gourmet breakfast hamper (including a few extra goodies), provided at check-in and topped up for longer stays:
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Artisan, honey-sweetened Granola
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Reduced sugar jam made from fruits from our garden
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Selection of fresh fruit
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Yoghurt, milk & butter
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Espresso pods & plunger coffee
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Selection of black & herbal teas
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Orange juice
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Free range eggs & wood smoked bacon
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Gourmet tomatoes
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Preservative-free, crusty loaf of bread, fresh from the bakery
and for those relaxing afternoons and evenings on the deck or in front of the fire:
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Chocolates
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Bottle of premium McLaren Vale Wine
Cheese Platter
Cheese & Wine - in our opinion always a perfect match!
In particular a after day of wine tasting and a long lunch in one of our many outstanding restaurants, sometimes all you need for a leisurely evening on the deck is a platter of cheese to indulge in and reminisce about your wine discoveries of the day.
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Our personally curated cheese platters include a generous selection of three local cheeses (subject to availability), crackers and a range of accompaniments.
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Make sure to add it as an extra as part of your cottage booking.
And don't take just our word for it - here is one of our favourite guestbook entries from guests staying in the Ponder Cottage, describing their experience at Karawatha Cottages (you can find them all in our online guestbook):
This is a slice of heaven!
"Ponder" is simply stunning & made the perfect spot to attend our cousins wedding and tour the gorgeous region you get to call home! The breakfast hamper and cheese platter were divine
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We cannot wait to come back and unwind here again xx
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Madi and Deirdre, Mount Gambier