11 of the best farm stays in WA

Farm stays are a unique way for families to enjoy a slice of country living – and luckily for Western Australians, there are plenty 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.

1. Lindum Farm Stay, Lindum

Located in WA's Wheatbelt, Lindum Farm Stay is a fully-operational agricultural business growing wheat, barley and other grains – and a farm that raises sheep and chicken, too. Guests at Lindum can expect an authentic taste of seasonal farm life, enjoy interactive activities like wool spinning and wildflower-spotting, and learn about breeding chickens and sheep shearing.

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.

2. The Mains Guest House, Corrigin

The small working farm at The Mains Guest House is great for kids and families alike. Owners Carly and Warren have a range 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 stop-over on your way to Wave Rock or other towns in the Wheatbelt region.

3. Settlers Rest Farm Stay, Swan Valley

If you’d rather a private farm stay experience, the Settlers Rest cottage in the Swan Valley is 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 with gumboots, kids’ toys and a cosy fireplace.

Owners Corinne and Ron can help you get your bearings 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!

4. Gumleaf Cottage Farmstay, Hovea

Nestled amongst the natural bushland of the Perth Hills, the Gumleaf Cottage Farmstay is a restored 100-year-old Australian farm cottage. 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, as the cottage is surrounded by plenty of Australian flora and fauna, kangaroos, possums and bandicoots regularly visit the property on most evenings.

This farm stay is a great option for more adventurous families – as apart from the daily farm animal visits, there are horse-riding, bushwalking or bike-riding trails just steps from the farm gate. There’s also a playground, trampoline, splash pool and water equipment for warmer months; making this a must-visit experience for kids who have energy to burn.

5. Bluehills Farmstay, Harvey

Run by the charismatic Farmer Justin, the Bluehills Farmstay in Harvey has plenty on offer for families, with animals to feed and opportunities to learn about the farming lifestyle. Every morning, the owners round up the kids and teache them how to collect eggs and feed the pigs. Along with these animals, kids can also interact with the horses, sheep and rabbits that live onsite. This is the perfect spot for a first-time farm stay – you’ll even receive a bag of carrots by the front door after you check in.

Accommodation on the property is in one of three rammed earth chalets each providing stunning views over the Harvey Dam and rolling hills. Each chalet also includes work from local artisans; including solid wood tables and uniquely designed mosaic inserts.

6. Harvey Hills Farmstay, Harvey

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 1800’s cottage, the old Harvey Railway Station, which is now a museum, or a take a picnic and enjoy the views at the Harvey Dam.

7. Ferguson Farmstay, Ferguson Valley

The Ferguson Farmstay experience is jam-packed with daily farm activities; perfect for kids who are proven animal lovers. The farm activities program starts at 8:30am each day with a feeding session for the farm’s goats, sheep, ponies, emus, ducks, hens, rabbits, pigs and a kangaroo. Next up are pony rides, before the farmers take kids and parents on a tractor ride around the property. Outside of this scheduled farm-time, guests are welcome to visit and feed the animals at other times throughout the day. As the owners put it, “We promise the animals are always hungry!”

The property has 10 rammed earth chalets that are cosy, well-equipped and feature a private verandah with an idyllic view of the starry country night sky. There are great options for adults near the farm stay, too – with plenty of microbreweries, wineries and art galleries to explore throughout the Ferguson Valley.

8. Lucieville Farm Chalets, Bridgetown

Located just a few kilometres south of Bridgetown, the vibrant Lucieville Farm Chalets boast gorgeous surrounds, a tranquil lake and plenty of opportunities to feed, pet, milk and play with many farm animals. During your stay you'll enjoy a daily animal feeding and general farm activities including shearing sheep or driving the tractor. You'll also have the chance to go horse riding, and in winter, guests can participate in damper-making workshops.

There are multiple accommodation types to choose from, including open-plan chalets, a traditional farm cottage and the spacious Ringwood House. All of the units are self-contained, and offer beautiful views of the Bridgetown countryside and the Lucieville property.

9. Diamond Forest Farm Stay, Manjimup region

Situated close to the towering trees this region is renowned for, the Diamond Forest Farm Stay between Manjimup and Pemberton offers picturesque red cedar cottages and features more than 100 farm animals that are bound to keep the kids busy. Amongst the animals are rescue kangaroos, a peacock, mini ponies, jersey cows and even a friendly bull. Kids are free to join farmers Mark and Kerriann on the daily feeding session, 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 are plentiful in the dam, so it’s a great spot for teaching kids how to fish.

10. Ironbark Farm Stay, Meckering

Owner Lisa West has lived in Meckering for more than 30 years and welcomes you to stay and enjoy the experience of being on her working farm. At Ironbark Farm Stay, you can learn all about shearing and even meet and feed the farm’s pet sheep – Lamby, Pammy, Mecky and Ringo.

Accommodation is in one of three cottages each with their own verandah.

The property is close to town where one of the more unique attractions is WA’s only camera museum – The Big Camera – a must for photography enthusiasts.

You can also tour the region to see the remnants of the powerful 1968 earthquake that destroyed many of the towns historic buildings and was felt as far away as Perth.

11. Chestnut Brae Farm Stay, Nannup

The Chestnut Brae offers a farm stay and a foodie adventure all in one. This sustainably managed chestnut farm also has mushroom crops and heirloom vegetables.

Take a farm tour and taste some of the products made from the chestnuts. The kids can meet 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.