Our Story

Kaiser Ridge eco stay is more than a place to stay. It is a piece of the Barossa Ranges that our family has loved, worked and explored for more than 50 years. Surrounded by 32 hectares of natural bushland, it is a place that has given three generations of our family a sense of peace, adventure and connection to the land. Today, we feel incredibly fortunate to share this special place with our guests.

More than 50 years on this land

Lincoln’s parents, Warren and Sue, were farmers who shared a deep love of the land and embraced all the highs and lows that came with life on it. Sheep and cropping were Warren’s passion, and although he and Sue bought land in various parts of South Australia over the years, the Barossa was always home.

In the early 1970s, they bought 80 acres of hilly country from one of Warren’s cousins. Known within the family as “Lance’s Block”, the property extended the grazing land already owned by Warren and his father in the Barossa Ranges. Lincoln has many fond memories of growing up here and helping his dad, particularly mustering sheep on motorbikes across the steep and rugged hills.

A place our family grew up with

The land was productive for sheep grazing, but it was also where the Grocke family came to relax, explore and spend time together. Weekends often meant motorbikes, bonfires and camping trips, along with quiet bush walks and picnics. Long before there were tiny houses here, Lance’s Block had already become a very special place in our family’s heart.

The early 2000’s brought the next generation of our family to Lance’s Block. While Warren continued to graze sheep, Lincoln would sometimes cut firewood during quieter times in his vineyard contracting business. By then we had welcomed our first child, Ethan, and I would often pop him into a baby carrier, make my way across the hillside and take Lincoln a picnic lunch while he was working.

It was during those years that we began to imagine what this land might one day become. We would talk about potential house sites and dream about creating an eco retreat where other people could experience the peace and beauty we had always found here. Back then it was simply a daydream, but the seed for Kaiser Ridge eco stay had been planted.

The following years brought two daughters, Jacinte and Claudia to complete our family. We also focussed on developing our vineyard contracting business to its full potential. But the love of Lance’s Block never faded. We spent many weekends on the property as a family; camping, collecting firewood, riding motorbikes and simply loving the beauty of the place and the energy it gave us. Our children have many fond memories of sharing the hills country with their cousins and friends. From climbing up the highest rocks with Uncle Mark’s ropes and harness, discovering the magic fairy tree, splashing in gum boots through the creeks, Grandad teaching them to drive a manual car, toasting marshmallows on the open fire, and so much more. These memories are so precious to all of us and are a big part of what makes us a family.

From a daydream to Kaiser Ridge – eco stay

After so many years of imagining what this special place could become, we were given the chance to bring our long-held dream to life.

Kaiser Ridge eco stay grew from a desire to share the peace, beauty and connection to nature that our family had experienced here for generations. We wanted to create somewhere people could step away from busy lives, slow down and experience the Barossa from a different perspective, while caring for the land that means so much to us.

Today, three secluded off-grid tiny houses sit within the bushland that Lincoln explored as a child and that our own children grew up exploring years later. Much has changed since Warren and Sue first bought Lance’s Block in the 1970s, but the feeling of being here hasn’t. It is still a place to wander, breathe deeply, reconnect and simply enjoy the landscape around you.

We hope that when you stay at Kaiser Ridge – eco stay, you find a little of the same peace and happiness that this land has given our family for more than 50 years.