Vailima Gardens Retirement Community

Auscare Retirement Villages: Communities, Care and Locations Across South Australia

Auscare offers retirement living with experience dating back to the early 2000s and retirement villages in central locations across Adelaide. This page sets out the main facts in one place so you can compare Auscare with other operators before you call or visit. Find an Auscare community near you below, or read on for costs, care details and what sets Auscare apart.

Quick facts

About Auscare

Auscare operates retirement villages in central locations throughout Adelaide, South Australia, with additional communities in other states. That keeps you close to the city while you enjoy village life. Being near the city can make it easier to stay connected to family, friends and the services you already use, so think about where you would like to be before you start visiting. Four of Auscare's sites offer independent living units, and studio apartments with low level care are offered at four sites.

Living at Auscare is maintenance free. The Auscare team takes care of upkeep and the landscaped grounds, and regular housekeeping is provided. That leaves your time free for family, friends and the activities on offer. Handing over upkeep and housekeeping is a large part of the appeal for many people who are downsizing, so ask what is included and what is not. Some communities also offer rentals, and amenities and activities vary by community.

John Heron owns Auscare with his sons. He began building the group through Adelaide acquisitions in the early 2000s, and the portfolio has kept growing in recent years through further acquisitions and additional villages under its management. Auscare focuses on retirement living. Knowing who runs a village and how long they have been doing it gives you something concrete to ask about when you speak to the team.

Costs & fees

Prices are not listed on this page, so the most reliable way to understand what living at Auscare involves is to ask. For a current price, call Auscare directly on 08 8132 0232 or enquire through the listing for the community you're interested in. When you call, ask what you would pay for the home you prefer, what regular charges apply and what they cover, and ask for the terms in writing. Compare the answers with other operators on your shortlist so you are weighing like with like.

Care & lifestyle services

Independent living units let you stay independent in your own home, with care and support added at some communities as your needs change. Serviced apartments come with optional care and support, and friendly Auscare staff provide home cooked meals, cleaning and linen services. Think about the support you might want over time, not only today, and ask how each option would be arranged.

Some communities offer studio apartments with low level care, serviced apartments, or respite accommodation where dedicated staff are on site 24 hours a day to help with showering, walking and medication management. These are not at every community, so it is worth asking at each one. Ask which of these a community offers and how they are arranged before you decide, because the answer may differ from one village to the next.

Shared spaces include village community centres and libraries, and staff organise social activities and outings for you to join, with optional social activities for serviced apartment residents. The mix of facilities and activities varies by community. Visiting in person is the easiest way to see which of these are on offer and whether they suit the way you like to spend your days.

What makes Auscare different

Lifetime occupancy guarantees the security of your home for life. That gives you a settled base for the retirement years ahead. Because the agreement matters so much, ask to read it before you decide and consider having a solicitor or financial adviser explain it. No aged care assessment, means test or financial information is required from residents, so moving in stays simple. Ask what the process involves so you know what to expect. Serviced apartments with optional care and support sit alongside independent living units, so you choose the level of support that suits you now.

Auscare's track record in Adelaide dates back to the early 2000s, and you can see it for yourself across its central locations. A track record is something you can check, so compare the villages in person and ask each one questions.

Last updated: October 2026.