One of the best ways to spend time with animals is to take a break on an authentic working farm. The whole family can get plenty of fresh country air, spend time under the stars in the evening, and enjoy a unique vacation experience. For those who want maximum comfort with just a hint of farm life, there are luxury stays to explore. Kid-friendly farm stays in Australia is a fantastic way to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Section 1: Understanding Farm Stays in Australia
Farm stays in Australia are essentially a type of holiday that’s situated on a working farm. It Can be a Cattle or sheep station in the outback or countryside. Because they are located away from larger towns and cities, there is a closer connection to nature. This allows visitors to learn how the farm works and explore the local area.
There is a vast range of farm stay accommodation available, including cottages, campsites, glamping facilities, and even guest rooms in the main farmhouse. In certain cases, the farms may offer some kind of work exchange. Where the guest can get free accommodation if they work a certain number of hours. This is a great way to offset the cost of a vacation if funds are limited. Using a farm as a hub to explore the local area is a perfect option for campers, hikers, and climbers.
How Popular Are Farm Stays
Farm stays are becoming popular because they offer a unique perspective on life and the chance to spend time in nature. As you might imagine, the type of farm that you choose to visit will offer a different vacation experience. On a dairy farm, you may get to milk cows and a horse farm stay may have riding lessons and trekking trips! Visitors to fruit orchards and vegetable farms may get the opportunity to pick their own produce.
Many different types of farms are kid-friendly with opportunities to meet and interact with animals under supervision. Some of these petting experiences will be with the more common types of farm animals, including sheep, pigs, cows, horses and more. But, other farms may have more exotic animals, such as alpacas, emus and more.
Section 2: Locations and Diversity of Farm Stays in Australia
If you’ve ever traveled to different areas of Australia. You’ll be aware of the massive diversity in the landscape, culture, and features. This is also reflected in the types of farm stays available. For example, you’re likely to have a very different farm stay experience when you stay in a coastal region compared to staying at an outback property.
There are some areas of Australia that are well known for offering superb farm stay experiences. Including the High Country in Victoria and Queensland’s Hinterland area. However, it is possible to find some amazing farm stay properties in most states and territories. You simply need to look for the type of farm that appeals to you most. From cattle stations and Eco farms to orchards and vineyard properties.
Section 3: Activities and Experiences on a Farm
The opportunity to run around in the open with no traffic worries is an experience that many city dwellers will enjoy. Parents are often surprised at how quickly their kids become accustomed to exploring their surroundings. Most farm stays in Australia use self-catering accommodation, which means your family can come and go as you wish. This offers plenty of freedom to explore and you can take part in whichever farm activities interest you.
Many people enjoy the early morning starts because they get to feed the animals and collect eggs. Later in the day, there are opportunities to learn more about how the farm works. You may milk the cows, pick fruit, pet the animals, or even take a tractor trailer ride. There are usually picnic and BBQ areas to enjoy a meal outdoors using local produce. Kids will learn where there food comes from and how to treat animals with the respect they deserve. Some people combine a farm stay with a caravan or camping holiday to enjoy a change of pace.
There are many different farms stay experiences to enjoy; your family could be learning how to saddle horses and ride them, and later, you can toast a marshmallow on a campfire.
Relax in the Country
Taking time to relax in the countryside is important, things move at a different pace and this is the perfect place to unwind. There will be plenty of time to talk, take walks and catch up with your loved ones. For the best experience, it’s a great idea to limit your time online and turn the phone off. If there’s a book you’ve been meaning to read or you want to try your hand at photography or bird watching, there is no better time. Simply taking in a breathtaking sunrise or sunset with coffee or a glass of wine with no distractions can be magical.
Section 4: Accommodations and Amenities at Farm Stays
Let’s take a look at six of the more popular farming stay types available in Australia:
- Camping: As the name suggests, you take your tent or caravan and stay at a campsite on or near the farm. Some farms have powered sites.
- Cottage: Some farms offer an entire cottage that the family can enjoy while you relax or work on the farm.
- Volunteer Work: The farm may offer free meals and accommodation for travellers that want to work on the farm during their stay. This is an excellent option for those on a strict budget that want to make the money stretch further.
- B&B: Your family can stay on the farm with all the usual amenities and get a hearty breakfast each morning.
- Child-Friendly: Many farms offer a hands-on approach for kids that want to learn more about farming and have a chance to feed and pet the animals.
- Luxury: For those who don’t want to compromise too much on their comfort, there’s always the option to book a luxury farm stay.
Many farms have a rustic charm, but don’t be fooled; they usually have all the amenities that a visitor could expect. To add to the appeal, there are often panoramic views to enjoy, and there may be a swimming pool to use. Some farms offer communal kitchens and dining with an authentic farm-to-table experience to enjoy local produce.
Section 5: Benefits of Farm Stays
Let’s take a look at five benefits of farm stays to help you decide if this type of break is a good fit for your family:
1. Making a Connection with Nature
A farm stay will inevitably mean that your family is going to be surrounded by flora and fauna. The air will be fresher, there will be less or perhaps virtually no traffic and no urban related stress. If you want to spend time observing the local wildlife and wake up to a spectacular sunrise with singing birds, this is the break for you.
2. Enjoying Fresh Local Food
The farm will provide most if not all of the food that you can enjoy throughout your stay. Many meals can be eaten outdoors and meals made with locally sourced produce will be tasty and healthy.
3. Experience a Family-Friendly Rural Lifestyle
Most people can’t or don’t want to live and work in the country, but it’s fun to experience a different way of life for a while. A rural lifestyle has a slower pace with set routines to feed animals, collect eggs, milk cows and more. This simple structure can be extremely relaxing and hardly feel like “work” for some city dwellers. As an added bonus, when you’re done with your chores you can hike, fish, ride horses and explore the area.
4. Enjoy Unique Accommodation and Support the Community
Farms offer many accommodation options, including cottages, cabins, converted barns, glamping tents, and more. Living in an unfamiliar accommodation can be interesting and add a certain amount of charm to your surroundings. When you choose to stay on a farm, you’re also helping the local rural economy survive and thrive.
5. Affordable Peace and Quiet
A farm stay can be tranquil. It’s the perfect place to unwind and the access to a phone network, and the internet may be limited. This is excellent for people who want to spend time with their loved ones and reconnect without distractions. A farm stay is also often more affordable than a resort or hotel stay, and the lodging options are comfortable.
There is no such thing as a perfect vacation for everyone and there are reasons why a farm stay may not be the right option for your family.
First, understand that you will get dirty during the day and this is not the environment for designer clothes and shoes. Some farms won’t have animals which is a good option for people that are scared of them or don’t like them. The best farm stays book quickly because families tend to return on a regular basis. So, if you’re going to book, it’s important to act early to avoid disappointment which requires a little advance planning. Before you choose a farm stay check the website carefully to ensure that they have all the activities, amenities and accommodation choices that interest you.
Farm Stays in Australia in Conclusion
Hopefully, we have shown that farm stays in Australia offer a unique way to enjoy a family holiday. Although visitors will get muddy, rise earlier, sleep deeply and even engage in a little light work, many people return every year to repeat the experience. Although farm stays tend to be a cheaper way to take a break, this alone cannot account for their popularity. Spending quality time in nature and discovering a connection to the land, animals and other people in a rural community can be extremely rewarding. Kids and adults alike may discover a way of life that they don’t understand and come away with a greater appreciation for farmers and farming.