The home of the iconic Australian drama, McLeod's Daughters, has gone under the hammer selling to one of the country's largest hotel owners.
Known to McLeod's Daughters' diehards as Drover's Run, Kingsford Homestead is located north of Gawler off the Sturt Highway and was built in the 1800s.
Following the conclusion of McLeod's Daughters, which ran from 2001 to 2009, the site was purchased by the Ahrens family from Channel 9 about 15 years ago and has since undergone extensive renovations of more than $10 million.
Purchased by Salter Brothers from the Ahrens family, the 91 hectare property consists of 16 suites, the Orleana restaurant and extensive conference facilities.
"Built by Pastoralist Stephen King in 1853, Kingsford Homestead was a dilapidated shell when we first acquired it", Leanne Ahrens said.
"For the two of us, it has been a labour of love to restore and expand this beautiful piece of South Australian history."
Stefan Ahrens said it was the right time to pass the Kingsford on to an organisation that could take it to the next level.
"The Salter Brothers have the capacity, the brands and the marketing power to spread the word globally about Kingsford and the Barossa - both will benefit and that is important to us," he said.
"We have put a lot of blood sweat and tears into this place - that extends beyond the immediate family to the broader Ahrens team and our suppliers.
"A huge amount of people have worked hard to rejuvenate Kingsford The Barossa and we are very grateful to all of them - Kingsford will always remain as Ahrens Cultural Club".
The current Kingsford team will continue to work alongside Salter Brothers.
"We are so grateful to so many people - our team of tradespeople, local builders and craftsmen, our dedicated front of house team, our chef and his team, our property maintenance team and the Barossa community in general," Mr Ahrens said.
Salter Brothers managing director Paul Salter the company was delighted to acquire the beautiful property, which would complement its existing portfolio of boutique luxury hotels and retreats.
"We look forward to the opportunity to put Salter Brothers touches on a premium asset, with plans to expand the property, allowing more guests to experience this amazing piece of South Australian heritage, in the surrounds of the Barossa," he said.
Salter Brothers has a portfolio of 5,084 rooms across 36 hotels, making it one of the largest hotel owners in Australia.
