I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to get back to nature, escape the grind, and frolic happily around a grassy knoll more than I have over the last year. Now that the weather is getting cooler too, I’m absolutely yearning to snuggle up next to a campfire and stare whimsically at the stars as a brisk wind envelops my body.
Luckily for us, all of those activities (and more) are on offer in spades in QLD, and you can soak them up at various farm stays and experiences around the state.
There’s something ultra-rejuvenating about visiting a farm. Whether it’s petting adorb animals, indulging in a sumptuous paddock-to-plate meal, or simply watching the sunset over rolling green hills, it’s the perfect way to unwind and appreciate the incredible natural landscapes of QLD completely.
If you teared up just thinking about the possibility of patting a tiny little calf, here are 6 incredible farm experiences across rural Queensland to check out.
Fruit Forest Farm
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Fruit Forest Farm is an ultra-tropical fruit farm located in the dream-like foothills of Mission Beach, which is nestled between Townsville and Cairns. The farm commenced guided tours in 2014 after receiving overwhelming interest from the public and celebrity chefs who were eager to come and taste the bounties of succulent fruit on offer.
Operating every Saturday from April to September, visitors can participate in the farm’s tractor and trailer experience, where they’ll be guided through both agricultural land and tropical rainforest. It immerses visitors into farm life first hand, as guides pick fresh fruit off the tree for tasting, explain the story behind each fruit, detailing how it’s grown, its origin, and the best ways to eat and cook it.
Glenlyon Dam Cottage
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Glenlyon Dam Cottage is basically your one-stop shop for all cottagecore-esque activities and more. The cottage is set on 150 acres of undulating traprock country and is home to various alpacas, milking goats, rare breed pigs, shorthorn sows and heritage poultry. It’s a cozy-as-heck stay, and the northern verandah of the quaint cottage looks out onto the vegetable garden and lambing paddock, making it the perfect location for long, contemplative gazing as golden hour hits.
While you’re there, you’ll be able to fossick for Red Jasper in the creek when the tide is low, take the boat out to go fishing in the dam, and toast marshmallows on the campfire at night. There’s also wildlife that roam the area too, including emu, deer, echidnas, wallabies and goannas that you’ll be able to spot.
Splitters Farm
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Splitters Farm is located in the Bundaberg Region and is one of the hallmark agritourism locations in Queensland. The location is ideal for overnight stayers and day-trippers and is a must-visit location if you’re looking to learn more about the world of sustainable farming.
If you’re looking to stay on the 160 gorgeous acres, you’ll have the option to camp on the working farm or glamp in their eco safari tents, which provide stunning views of the lake – it’s so pretty it’ll practically beg you to become a morning person to watch the sunrise. You can also round out your trip with activities like duck feeding, collecting eggs, kayaking, fishing and more.
Kinrara Expeditions
Kinrara Expeditions offer up the quintessential Australian outback experience offering raw, luxury and once-in-a-lifetime memories. Their custom-made itineraries include guided waterfall hikes, 4WD convoys and delicious long breakfasts. Eco-friendly tents perched on the lake’s edge offer uninterrupted views across this vast, unique cattle station.
Waterpark Farm
One of Queensland’s most unique farm experiences, Waterpark Farm, is located within the Byfield Range (1hr from Rockhampton). Waterpark Farm is a large-scale tea tree plantation home to more than 850,000 trees.
Visitors can experience the natural beauty of Waterpark Farm on their eco tours, which takes you on an electric-powered boat along Waterpark Creek, passing through the Byfield Rainforest that showcases the stunning flora and fauna of the region. The tour also provides a behind-the-scenes look at how pure tea tree oil is made at the on-site distillery.
Koorana Crocodile Farm
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This one may not be for the faint at heart. If you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal with a crocodile, Koorana Crocodile Farm is the place to do it. Seriously, I cannot think of anything more unique and typically Australian than this, so it’d be a once in a lifetime kind of experience to immerse yourself in.
Koorana was Queensland’s first commercial crocodile farm and now holds up to 5000 crocs. On the farm, you’ll be able to take tours that include in-depth talks about conservation and crocodile production, as well as watch intense croc feeding sessions. They also have a fully licensed restaurant on site.
Alkoomi Adventure Farm Stay
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Located 35km south of Rockhampton, Alkoomi is for anyone looking to unleash their inner-horse girl. They offer cute and comfy farm stay accommodation and a range of activities, including horse riding, ATV riding, and animal feeding. If that all sounds too adrenaline pumping to you, you can kick back with a private chuckwagon tour around the farm to soak up its beauty.
Henderson Park Farm Retreat
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Henderson Park is a family-owned commercial beef cattle property that is available as a weekend farm retreat, located on the banks of Hedlow Creek (30 minutes from Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast). They offer a range of activities for in-house guests, including guided education property tours, bushwalking, canoeing, swimming and much more. From their picturesque accommodation options, you’ll get stunning views of the massive floodplain from which volcanic plugs rise, and you’ll probably catch a glimpse into a wedding too.
Bestbrook Mountain Farmstay
There is something just so adorable and cosy about Bestbrooke Farmstay. It’s a 90-minute drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, posing the perfect opportunity to get far enough away from the city to sink yourself into farm life. Bestbrooke’s speciality activities include animal feeding, milking cows, making butter, billy tea and damper, wagon rides, whip cracking and horse riding for all abilities.
