Pirralilla was built in 1902 by Michael and Bessie Hawker. It was built as their summer residence, a place they could retreat to, away from the dry heat of their sprawling sheep stations in the mid north of the state. The Hawkers were known for their hospitality and entertained and socialised with other notable Adelaideans at Pirralilla. In their later years both Michael and Bessie spent most of their time at Pirralilla. 

In 1950 the property was sold to  The Sisters of St Joseph of the Scared Heart, the order founded by Saint Mary MacKillop. From this period until the early 1970's St Joseph's Aldgate was a boarding school for young girls training to become nuns.

On Sundays services were held for the public to attend and the order was silent. With the decline in the popularity of the Catholic Church the numbers of girls seeking to be nuns also declined. It was during this period that St Joseph's Aldgate became a conference and retreat centre. 

In 2009 George and Esme Savva fulfilled their dream of making a home for their large family in the Adelaide Hills and purchased Pirralilla.

Over the years they have renovated, restored, reinvigorated  and reinstated Pirralilla Estate with the joy and love she deserves and they welcome you to stay and experience her majesty.

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