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Farm stays are a unique way for families to enjoy a slice of country living – and luckily for Western Australians, there are plenty of welcoming visitors across the State.
While station stays give guests a traditional outback experience on one of the state's vast pastoral stations, farm stays are a gentler way for families to step into the shoes of real farmers, understand what it takes to operate a farm, and even pet a few cute animals along the way.
So, it’s time to whip out the gumboots; here are some of WA’s best family-friendly farm stays.
Lindum Farm, in WA’s Wheatbelt region, is a fully-operational agricultural business growing wheat, barley, and other grains, as well as a farm that raises sheep and chickens. Guests at Lindum get a taste of authentic farm life through activities such as spinning wool from the shearing shed, collecting eggs from the chicken coop, or getting behind the wheel of some of the farm equipment.
The neighbouring towns of Coorow and Perenjori are renowned for their spectacular wildflower displays from late July to late October, so be sure to ask owners Angela and Roger for tips on the best local driving routes and flora hotspots.
The small working farm at The Mains Guest House draws families to stay. Owners Carly and Warren have a small brood of sheep, alpacas, poultry, and a few family pets that kids are welcome to help feed and care for during their stay. The owners are no strangers to rescued kangaroos either, so you may be lucky enough to spot a joey or two on your visit.
Corrigin is renowned for its spectacular and clear night sky, and the guest house is a great spot for stargazing. It's also a hotspot for native birdlife and fauna, which you can spot on a stroll around the property. The guest house is only a 20-minute walk from the town centre, and it’s a great stopover on the PUBLIC Silo Trail, or on your way to Wave Rock or other towns in the Wheatbelt region.
For a more private farm stay experience, try the Settlers Rest cottage in the Swan Valley, an idyllic spot less than an hour’s drive from the city. The turn-of-the-century cottage sleeps eight guests at a time, and is well-equipped, right down to supplying guests with gumboots, kids’ toys, and electric blankets.
Owners Corinne and Ron can help you get your bearings on the farm with a buggy tour through the farm and paddocks. Being the only guests, you’ll have exclusive use of the farm during your stay. The owners are at the stables for feeding time at 4:30pm each day, but guests are welcome to hand-feed the goats, sheep, chickens, guinea pigs, and pet cow at any time during the day. They're big fans of apples, carrots and bread, so be sure to bring plenty with you (or pick some up from the myriad of surrounding Swan Valley farms).
The Gumleaf Cottage Farmstay is a restored 100-year-old Australian farm cottage set amongst the natural bushland of the Perth Hills. During a stay, guests can interact with and feed the friendly horses, miniature ponies, goats, sheep, rabbits, dogs, cats, and chickens that live at the cottage farm. Plus, plenty of Australian flora and fauna surround the cottage, you’ll find that kangaroos, possums, and bandicoots visit the property on most evenings.
This farm stay is an excellent option for more adventurous families, as aside from the daily farm animal visits, you can also go horse-riding, bushwalking, or bike-riding on the trails just steps from the farm gate. There’s also a playground and trampoline, making this a must-visit experience for kids who have energy to burn.
Take in the expansive views of the Harvey Dam from the balcony of your cosy chalet at Harvey Hills Farmstay. This 100-acre working farm has four self-contained chalets that can sleep up to six people.
On the property, the kids can enjoy hand-feeding one of the many resident animals, including a donkey, miniature horse, miniature goats, and alpacas.
Nearby, you can visit a replica 1800s cottage, the old Harvey Railway Station—which is now a museum—or take a picnic and enjoy the Harvey Dam from a closer vantage point.
Ferguson Farmstay is the perfect getaway for any animal-loving kid (or adult). The property is home to ten cosy, rammed-earth chalets, each well-equipped and with a private verandah that affords an idyllic view of the starry night sky. But it’s the farm activities that set this property apart.
The well-oiled daily program (free for people staying two or more nights, or a nominal fee for guests staying just one night) starts at 8:30am each day with a feeding session for the farm’s goats, sheep, ponies, pigs, ducks, hens, rabbits, and a kangaroo. Next up, the farmers take guests on a tractor ride to the back of the property where the cows are fed. Outside of this scheduled farm time, guests are still welcome to visit and feed the animals. As the owners put it: “We promise the animals are always hungry!”
But it’s not all about fun or the kids here. Adults can get their kicks at the surrounding microbreweries, wineries, and art galleries throughout the Ferguson Valley.
Located just a few kilometres south of Bridgetown, Lucieville Farm Chalets sit on fertile surrounds, with a tranquil lake at its heart and plenty of opportunities to feed, pet, milk, and play with many farm animals. During your stay, you can enjoy daily animal feeding and general farm activities, including milking cows or damper making.
There are multiple accommodation types to choose from, including open-plan chalets, the farm cottage, and the spacious Hartelle House. All of the units are self-contained and offer beautiful views of the Bridgetown countryside and the Lucieville property.
Not too far from the towering trees this region is renowned for, the Diamond Forest Farm Stay between Manjimup and Pemberton comprises picturesque red cedar cottages and is home to more than 100 farm animals. Amongst them are rescue kangaroos, a peacock, mini ponies, jersey cows, and even a friendly bull. Kids are free to join the multi-generational farming family on their daily feeding missions, and may even have the chance to handle some freshly hatched chicks or ducklings (depending on the season).
A key feature of Diamond Forest is its three-acre dam, which is perfect for canoeing, fishing, or picnicking on its banks. Rainbow trout and marron reside in the dam, so it’s a great spot to throw in a line or have a go at scoop-netting.
Chestnut Brae combines a quaint farm stay and foodie adventure in one. Take a tour of the sustainably-managed chestnut farm and sample some of the chestnut products made on-site. Chestnuts will please the adults, while the kids can get their kicks meeting the friendly farm goats, Wessex saddleback pigs, turkeys, and bantams.
The property has just one two-storey cottage surrounded by a heritage-style garden. With three bedrooms, including one room with four bunk beds, the cottage is suitable for one or two families to stay.
Where sheep and cows are the focus of many animal-led farmstays, it’s all about the avian at Sandalwood Downs Farm Stay. The property’s 400-square-metre walk-through aviary is particularly special, home to geese, ducks, turkeys, pheasants, quails, parrots, and more. There’s even a rare white peacock—named Elton—who you’ll spy wandering around the farm.
The bed-and-breakfast-style accommodation has two bedrooms and a living room for guest use, and a swimming pool for steaming summer days. Come winter, the outdoor fireplace and hot tub will likely get more use. A rainy winter day is also the perfect time to book into one of Sandalwood Downs’ candle and soapmaking workshops, run twice a day every Friday to Monday.
