On the 1st January 1994 my husband Barry Duykers and I established Southern Ocean Retreats. Our holiday accommodation is situated in Deep Creek National Park Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia. We provide a range of accommodation in a unique nature based setting. Why not explore the park and it's surrounding areas and see for yourself why we fell in love with this beautiful part of the world. This magical haven is definitely a place where you can relax, unwind and settle in for a night or 2 ..

The Ridgetop Retreats continue to set the benchmark in design excellence for nature based holiday accommodation. Designed by renowned architect Max Pritchard they take full advantage of their beautiful location in the Stringybark Forest in Deep Creek National Park and successfully blend sustainability with a high standard of comfort. They have been used as a template for sustainable tourism accommodation both in South Australia and Victoria and were awarded the prestigious Royal Australian Institute of Architects Award of Merit. But being environmentally friendly doesn’t mean going without. Parquetry floors, bespoke stainless steel kitchen, leather sofas and cedar venetians provide a rich texture for the senses. The floor to ceiling windows that are the hallmark of the Ridgetop Retreats create a strong sense of being connected to nature. There is so much glass you will feel like you are out under the stars and in among the trees. Visiting kangaroos, birds, bandicoots, a lush forest with wildflowers and even changing weather patterns provide a visual feast for you to enjoy from your panoramic view point. Each of the Retreats can accommodate up to 4 guests.

There are at least 2 known pods of dolphins living along the coast between Fisheries Beach and Tunkalilla Beach. The resting seat above Boat Harbor beach is an amazing vantage point from which families of up to 50 dolphins can often be spotted. Lunch at the waterfall’ – The secluded Deep Creek waterfall flows throughout the year and is a fantastic spot to have a bite to eat, reflect and be mesmerized by the sound of cascading water. It even has its own ‘hanging rock’ – picnic anyone? Choose from either the spring wildflower walk or the upper reaches of the Boat Harbor Circuit hike during winter and spring to witness an amazing diversity of colour when wild flowers are in bloom. Photographers and artists alike relish in the opportunities that this canvas provides. Nearby Talisker Conservation Park gives you an insight into the lifestyle of Cornish miners and their families who lived and worked at this silver lead mine during the 19th century.