Finding a holiday house near Adelaide that sleeps 16 is hard. Finding one where everyone can actually be together, on the water and with room to spread out, is harder. Black Swan Lake House is a five-bedroom lakefront home on 50 acres at Clayton Bay, on the shore of Lake Alexandrina, about 1¼ hours from the city.
It was set up for exactly this: big families, reunions and friends travelling together. The kitchen is built for a crowd, one dining table seats the whole group, and there's enough lawn, lake and quiet corners that nobody gets under anyone's feet.
Where everyone sleeps
| Room | Beds | Sleeps | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedroom 1 | Queen, renovated ensuite, lake views | 2 | Grandparents or the birthday couple |
| Bedroom 2 | Queen, lake views | 2 | Family 1 |
| Bedroom 3 | Queen, quiet back of the house | 2 | Family 2 or light sleepers |
| Bedroom 4 | Bunks (1+1 and 2+1), partial lake views | 5 | Kids or teens |
| Bedroom 5 | Two bunks, doubles on the bottom | 6 | Kids, or a couple plus kids |
| Total | 16 | 9 beds · 3 bathrooms | |
Cooking and eating together
The open-plan kitchen has an island bench with stools and opens onto the living and dining room, so whoever's cooking is still part of the conversation. Inside, a long timber table seats everyone at once. On warm evenings, move out to the covered deck dining table with 180° views over the lake.
Room to spread out
- 50 acres of lawn and paddock for cricket, footy and bikes
- Private jetty for kayaks and small boats, with direct lake access
- Fire pit for campfire nights (outside fire-ban season)
- Playground with Vuly monkey bars, plus ping pong and a basketball hoop
- Combustion heater, TV, music streaming, puzzles and games for rainy days
- Parking for several cars, plus boats, trailers and caravans
Planning a group stay
- Send your dates and group size early. School holidays, Easter and Christmas go first.
- Mention any pets, boats or caravans in your enquiry so we can plan parking.
- Stock up in Goolwa or Strathalbyn on the way (both about 25–35 minutes away).
- Pack kayaks, fishing gear, bikes and warm layers: evenings on the lake can be cool.
- Check the CFS fire danger rating before lighting the fire pit.
Want ideas for the days? Read our guide to things to do in Clayton Bay and around Lake Alexandrina, or browse the photos.
Group questions
How many people can stay?
Up to 16 guests sleep in the house: three queen bedrooms (6) and two bunk rooms (5 and 6).
Is it suitable for three families?
Yes, that's how most groups use it. Each couple takes a queen room, and the kids share the two bunk rooms. Three bathrooms keep mornings moving.
Can we bring boats, caravans or extra cars?
Yes. There's covered parking for two cars plus plenty of room on the driveway for boats, trailers and caravans. The Clayton Bay boat ramp is two minutes away.
Are pets allowed?
Yes, well-behaved pets are welcome. Please mention them in your enquiry.
Can we hold a birthday or reunion here?
Yes, celebrations are welcome. It isn't a party house, so please keep noise down after 10–11 pm and keep glass off the lawn.
How far is it from Adelaide?
About 87 km, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes' drive south-east of the Adelaide CBD.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is after 3 pm and check-out is before 11 am.
Check your dates
Tell Johan when you'd like to come. He usually replies within the hour.