Our Story
Set along a quiet country road in Currency Creek on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, Merilli is a 90-acre working Angus cattle farm where heritage, landscape, and family life are deeply intertwined. Surrounded by rolling paddocks, ancient gums, and the gentle rhythm of farm life, this heritage property carries more than a century of rural history.
The story of Merilli began with early settlers who built a simple stone hut by hand from rock gathered along the creek bed below. In time, this was followed by the 1885 heritage cottage, a testament to craftsmanship and endurance, and later the 1905 stone homestead, which became the heart of the property.
In 2002, my husband Richard and I became only the second custodians of Merilli. We undertook a careful restoration of the 1905 homestead, preserving its heritage character while creating a warm and welcoming home. At the same time, the original 1885 cottage was preserved for safekeeping, carefully maintained in its original form until the time came to breathe new life into it. Today, Merilli remains a place of quiet beauty where Angus cattle graze, horses roam, and the spirit of the land continues to guide its story.
The Story of Merilli1885
Nestled within the property, the 1885 stone cottage has long been part of Merilli's soul. After being lovingly preserved in 2002, it waited patiently for its next chapter. In 2025, that moment arrived when we completed a sensitive redevelopment, transforming the cottage into Merilli1885, a heritage luxury farmstay accommodation that celebrates both its history and the quiet sophistication of modern country living on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The new extension was designed to complement the original stonework, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Inside, the restoration honours the craftsmanship of the past while offering the comfort and warmth expected of contemporary luxury accommodation. Every detail, from the hand-built stone chimney to the carefully selected furnishings, reflects care, authenticity, and respect for the property's 140-year history.
Merilli1885 invites guests to experience authentic Fleurieu Peninsula accommodation. Stillness, connection, and the simple beauty of life lived close to the land. For our family, sharing this heritage farmstay is a privilege. To see others experience the calm, the history, and the unhurried pace of Merilli is to see its story continue.
We're Here If You Need Us
You came here to disconnect. To experience genuine heritage on a real working farm. To have the coast just minutes away and complete privacy in between. We've spent over 20 years creating exactly that.
I'm Sophie, and my husband Richard and I run Angus cattle across three Fleurieu Peninsula properties. Our operations span from Tooperang and Currency Creek all the way to Hindmarsh Island. Merilli has been our home base since 2002.
We operate Merilli Angus Seed Stock (breeding stud cattle and bulls) and Merilli Angus Paddock to Plate (butcher-quality, farm-raised, grass-fed beef delivered to your door across South Australia and Victoria).
Our three children attended Montessori school in Victor Harbor and Port Elliot Kindergarten. They grew up swimming at Horseshoe Bay in Port Elliot, attending Vacswim there every summer, and later working as instructors for the same program as their first jobs. Richard has served with the Currency Creek CFS for over 10 years. We know this region intimately: which beaches suit which conditions, which wineries are worth your time, where the quiet spots are.
We move between our properties, so we may not always be on site during your stay. But we love sharing our farm and our knowledge of the region, and we're always nearby to give a recommendation or answer a question.
