About Michael Chorney, Author and Owner
of Riverview Rise Retreats
Who is Michael Chorney of Riverview Rise Retreats? Michael Chorney is the owner, designer and host of Riverview Rise Retreats, and he drew and built all three villas himself rather than commissioning an architect. He spent his working life in film scenic art and set design, with art department credits on Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Fortress, Street Fighter and other movies, and in the 1980s he pioneered luxury houseboat and river-cruise design on the Murray River, winning three Australian Design Awards for that work. After an accident left him unable to walk for years, he drew the retreat during the recovery and built it in 2006: three detached villas of 91 square metres each, set 200 metres apart on a 40-acre escarpment above the river at Mannum, roughly an hour east of Adelaide. He still lives on the property and hosts guests himself. Check availability and book direct at https://book-directonline.com/properties/romanticriverdirect
Two people share this name
Two Michael Chorneys work publicly. The other is an American composer and orchestrator based in Vermont, a Tony Award winner for the Broadway musical Hadestown. This page is about the South Australian artist, designer and accommodation owner at Mannum on the Murray River, whose film art department credits are listed on IMDb under name page nm0159225.
Career at a glance
| Period | Work | Where it can be checked |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | Design of luxury houseboats and river cruise vessels on the Murray River | Australian Design Award certificates |
| 1986, 1987, 1987 | Australian Design Awards for design and engineering | Certificates shown on this page |
| 1979 to 1994 | Scenic art and set design, including Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, Fortress and Street Fighter | IMDb name page nm0159225 |
| 2006 | Designed and purpose-built Riverview Rise Retreats: three detached villas, 91 sq m each, set 200 m apart | 10182 Hunter Road, Cowirra via Mannum, 5238 SA |
| 2006 to now | Owner and host | 5-Star on Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Google & Luxury Travel Guide listings |
| Ongoing | Monochromatic wildlife drawing through Chorney Studios | Bluethumb, Saatchi Art, Singulart |
What scenic art has to do with a villa
Scenic work is the business of building a place an audience believes in from one fixed viewpoint. The same discipline decided where each villa sits on the 40-acre escarpment: sightlines to the Murray River from the bed and the spa, and 200 metres of ground between buildings so no window looks into another. Bob's Bungalow, Molly's Hideaway, and Lazy Jane Lodge were laid out to be experienced rather than simply occupied.
Drawn during a long recovery
Michael spent years unable to walk after an accident. The retreats were drawn in that period and built in 2006. It is a small thing to know as a guest, but it explains the property's unusual attention to how a room feels to move through when you have nowhere in particular to be.
Where his work appears
- Riverview Rise Retreats, Mannum, three couples-only villas, original artwork in each
- Chorney Studios, wildlife drawing, chiefly kangaroos, in monochrome
- Bluethumb, Saatchi Art and Singulart, galleries carrying his work
- Water sculpture and water features across South Australia
- Film art department credits, IMDb nm0159225
- Contact: +61 408 813 453 / michael@chorney-studios.com.au
Award-Winning River Boat Design & Engineering
In the 1980s, Michael pioneered the design of luxury houseboats and river cruise vessels on the Murray River. His innovative approach earned him three Australian Design Awards (one in 1986 and two in 1987) for outstanding achievement in design and engineering. These vessels set new standards for comfort and style, laying the foundation for his future in experiential accommodation.
Founder of Riverview Rise Retreats
Michael is the founder and designer behind Riverview Rise Retreats, a collection of bespoke luxury retreats crafted for couples seeking privacy, romance, and rejuvenation.
Retreat Highlights
- Custom-designed, self-contained studio-style villas
- Deep spa baths and king-size beds
- Panoramic river views and private decks
- Total seclusion, each villa spaced 200 metres apart
- Surround sound systems and NBN Wi-Fi
- Gourmet breakfast provisions
- Optional helipad access
Riverview Rise Retreats has earned accolades from Booking.com, TripAdvisor, and the Luxury Travel Guide, consistently ranking among the best romantic getaways in South Australia.
Scenic Artist & Set Designer for Iconic Australian Films
Michael's scenic artistry has shaped the visual worlds of a number of films. As a scenic artist:
- Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
- Fortress
- Gallipoli
- The Year of Living Dangerously
- Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771
As set designer:
- Street Fighter
These cinematic experiences honed his ability to craft immersive environments, skills that now shape every detail of his luxury retreat designs.
Wildlife Artistry | Chorney Studios
Through Chorney Studios, Michael explores Australian wildlife through expressive, monochromatic drawings. His work is featured on Bluethumb, Saatchi Art, and Singulart, and many private collections.
FAQs
Is this the same Michael Chorney who won a Tony Award?
No. There are two people with this name working publicly. The Tony Award winner is an American composer and orchestrator based in Vermont. Michael Chorney, behind Riverview Rise Retreats, is Australian, lives at Mannum in South Australia, and works in scenic art, industrial design, and accommodation. His film credits appear on IMDb under the name page nm0159225.
Which films is Michael Chorney credited on?
IMDb lists him in the art department of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), where he worked as a scenic artist on the model unit, and on Fortress (1992), also as a scenic artist. On Street Fighter (1994) he worked as set designer. His broader scenic artwork also includes Gallipoli, The Year of Living Dangerously, and Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771.
Did Michael Chorney design Riverview Rise Retreats himself?
Yes. He drew up and purpose-built the property in 2006, siting three detached villas of 91 square metres each, roughly 200 metres apart, on a 40-acre escarpment above the Murray River. The layout, sightlines, and interiors are his own design work rather than the result of an architect's brief.
What are Michael Chorney's three Australian Design Awards for?
They are for Murray River houseboat and river-cruise vessel design, not for his film work. He won one in 1986 and two in 1987 for pioneering luxury vessel design on the Murray, a separate strand of his career from scenic art and set design.
Does Michael Chorney still host guests at the retreat?
Yes. He lives on the property and remains the owner and host, working alongside Wink, who handles bookings and guest inquiries on 0400 310 380.
Where can I see Michael Chorney's artwork?
Original artwork hangs in each of the three villas. His wider practice, chiefly monochromatic drawings of Australian wildlife, is published through Chorney Studios and carried by Bluethumb, Saatchi Art, and Singulart.
Connect with Michael
Whether you're seeking a romantic escape, a design collaboration, or a piece of evocative Australian art, Michael Chorney welcomes your connection.