I’d had a hectic few weeks at work and the idea of a waterfront holiday tiny house getaway on the Coorong was a beacon of light helping me through. Come 5.00pm Friday, I was ready to grab my partner, throw a few basics in an overnight bag and get out of town.
Just an hour and a half drive from Adelaide, Yarli tiny house is close enough for travel to feel effortless, but distant enough to enter a changed landscape, and sense that you’re really ‘away’. Yarli is the Ngarrindjeri name for this particular part of the Coorong’s waters, otherwise known as Lake Albert.
The Coorong has a subtle, expansive beauty that works its way into your soul. I could almost feel my heart rate slowing and my breathing become deeper as the landscape opened up before us.
The Yarli cabin is essentially a trailer (it’s still on wheels), but it’s much more of a house than a caravan. A tiny home! The best kind of cabin experience in South Australia. The white panelled interior and floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with light. There’s a far greater sense of space than you’d expect from such a tiny floorplan.
This accommodation on the Coorong is thoughtfully equipped with everything you need, and nothing you don’t. We packed teabags and milk for a morning cuppa, which we enjoyed on the deck before a stroll down to the water’s edge to plan out our day.
Yarli’s tiny bathroom is neat as a pin and the composting toilet is simple to use. You’re asked to be conservative with water use, and this just feels naturally respectful when you’re surrounded by the beauties of nature. Towels and bed linen are provided, and there’s a mini fridge and simple cooking facilities. All you need is a change of clothes, a bit of food and essential toiletries. Oh, and don’t forget a good book. Absolute perfection.
Mid-morning, we headed out from our cabin retreat into Meningie, just a short drive back the way we’d come through the previous evening. Feeling peckish, we headed to Freshies Cafe and Bar for a leisurely brunch at their outdoor tables. We popped into the Foodland supermarket to pick up a few groceries to make a simple picnic dinner, then swung by the Meningie Hotel to select a bottle of wine.
Switching off and relaxing was the order of the weekend, so on returning to Yarli we alternated between reading, afternoon naps, a few gentle yoga stretches and strolling the property to greet the farm animals and collect firewood.
As the sun set, we enjoyed our cheese-and-wine picnic by the crackling firepit.
The temperature can drop pretty quickly here so we were glad we packed a few extra layers. We took to bed pretty early, falling easily into the rhythm of nature, and woke with the sun.
We were determined to make the most of our Sunday morning, so we took the kayaks (all gear provided) down to the water and slipped in. It was a few steps from our cabin retreat. Paddling around the meandering edges of Yarli/Lake Albert and getting up close with some waterbirds was the final touch on a magical weekend away.