The Story Behind Our Horse Logo | Merilli1885
There’s a little of Merilli in the horse that appears in our logo. Head lowered, quietly grazing, perfectly at ease. It captures something we hope you’ll feel when you arrive at Merilli1885: the freedom to settle in and take your time.
Here on our working farm in Currency Creek, on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, that scene is part of everyday life. Horses and Angus cattle graze across the paddocks, finding shade beneath the old gums and moving to a rhythm of their own.
Watching them is a simple pleasure. Coffee in hand, you pause for a moment. Then a little longer.
A connection to the place
Richard and I have been custodians of Merilli since 2002. Over the years, restoring its buildings and caring for the land and animals have deepened our connection to this place.
The cottage carries its own stories. Built in 1885, its stone walls now sit alongside a contemporary extension, bringing together heritage character and the comforts we love to offer our guests.
Outside, life on the farm continues. There are animals to care for, paddocks to tend and jobs that follow the seasons. For us, it’s a busy life. For our guests, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the landscape and glimpse the everyday moments that make Merilli home.
Our grazing horse brings a little of that life into our logo.
Space to make yourself at home
When we developed Merilli1885, we chose to welcome just one booking at a time. We had considered another dwelling, but preserving the privacy and sense of space felt right.
The cottage is exclusively yours during your stay. With two king suites, each with a private bathroom, it welcomes up to four guests, whether you’re escaping as a couple or spending time with friends.
We’ve thought carefully about the comforts within: a welcoming bed, a kitchen you’ll enjoy cooking in, places to gather and quiet corners to settle into.
What you do with your time is entirely your own.
Breakfast can be late. A book can occupy the afternoon. The verandah might be as far as you feel like venturing.
A little exploring, a little grazing
Our location makes it easy to enjoy both the country and the coast. Middleton, Port Elliot and Goolwa are nearby, while the cellar doors of McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek offer plenty of reasons to take a leisurely drive.
Spend a morning by the sea, stop for coffee or discover something delicious to bring back to the cottage. There’s a particular pleasure in returning with a few local favourites and letting lunch unfold without watching the clock.
For an evening closer to home, a private dining experience with chef Luca Guiotto of Aromi Dining can be arranged ahead of your stay.
There’s more than one way to graze here.
The feeling behind the horse
Running a working farm and an accommodation business doesn’t leave us with many lazy days. Perhaps that’s why we appreciate the value of one.
An unhurried meal. A conversation with no need to wrap it up. The sight of horses and cattle grazing as the afternoon light moves across the paddocks.
These are the moments we love sharing.
So when you see the horse in our logo, think of the place behind it. A cottage in the country, a warm welcome and time to enjoy being here.
Slow down. Graze a while.
Stay longer. Unwind deeper.