With school holidays coming to an end and long weekends upon us, coming up with an endless stream of activities to entertain the family can start to get a little tricky. Try something a little off the beaten track and visit one of the many family friendly farm stays and farm experiences in the Scenic Rim. Feed the animals, get your hands dirty and experience country life in this beautiful corner of Queensland, just an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
If you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend away, our list of the top Scenic Rim farm stays and farm experiences will keep the whole family happy!
Tommerup’s Dairy Farm
With six generations under their belts, this working dairy farm has perfected the authentic farm experience. Start the day with local produce from the Tommerup’s creamery, before exploring their working dairy farm. Join the family and learn the tricks to milking a Jersey cow, feed their calves, sheep, and chickens or explore the property. The kids will love smashing pumpkins to give to the hungry pigs! Don’t forget about the farm’s Jack Russells who love a cuddle. Stay in the rustic, country cottage which sleeps six, or the historic homestead, which can fit the whole extended family! Sit back, breathe in the fresh Kerry Valley air and become a honourary Tommerup for the weekend.
https://www.tommerupsfarmstay.com.au/
Greenlee Macadamia Farm
The Greenlee Macadamia Farm is located on a picturesque property tucked beneath the foothills of Lamington National Park. Stay in one of four of the gorgeous Greenlee cottages, overlooking the flourishing macadamia orchard. Visit the working farm and enjoy the complimentary welcome basket full of Scenic Rim goodies to snack on while you enjoy the scenery. Get the kids and explore the many bushwalks and creeks that the neighbouring National Park has to offer or look for the friendly native wildlife that call Greenlee home. The team at Greenlee are also offering special farm tours throughout January.
https://www.greenleecottages.com.au
Keira Farm
Keira Farm is a 525-acre working cattle and sheep farm, 45 minutes from Brisbane. Go for a bushwalk, try your hand at catching a fish or go for a family bike ride. You might catch a glimpse of a cuddly koala high up in the gum trees or visit the black swans and their babies at Ten Mile Swamp. The resident kangaroos love visiting campers too! The accommodation available includes a self-contained cottage, Keira Billy, with its own outdoor bath – perfect after a long day exploring the farm. The Stockyard Camp is a more ‘scenic’ camping experience, but has hot showers, flushing toilets and individual or communal fire pits to cosy around while you look at the beautiful, unpolluted night skies. Big groups are encouraged!
Running Creek Cottages
This quaint country home is surrounded by the McPherson Range, on a 670-acre cattle farm. Swim, fish, drink from, listen, watch or even just sit in nearby Running Creek and you’ll be infatuated within moments by the creek that never stops running. The self contained, two-bedroom cottage boasts amazing views and a built-in veranda to sit and enjoy your surrounds, having been recently refurbished in a modern country style in the middle of prime cattle country. Enjoy your local wine, cheese and olives outside by the BBQ area or in the reading nook. Fill your days with roaming the surrounding countryside with fishing, swimming and interacting with the Running Creek’s cattle, including feeding the horses and cattle. Carrots included!
https://runningcreekbeef.com.au/
Mt Barney Lodge
Situated beneath the Scenic Rim’s second tallest summit, Mt Barney Lodge is the perfect spot for families craving adventure. Deep in the World Heritage listed Mt Barney National Park, it seems only natural that the wilderness and rainforest is woven into the many activities and accommodation options. Choose from glamping tents, rustic cabins or Queenslander homesteads looking out into the stunning McPherson Ranges with views of Mt Barney, Mt Maroon and Mt Lindesay. These spectacular mountain views can be enjoyed from the grassy campsite if getting outdoors and underneath the stars is more your speed. Alongside the creek and with campfires made for roasting marshmallows, camping at Mt Barney will tick boxes for every family. The Lodge offers adventure activity program for kids and adults with their experienced Outdoor Leaders leading rock climbing tours, abseiling, bushwalks and mountain expeditions for all ages. Throughout January Mt Barney Lodge is hosting the Summer Silhouette Sculpture Trail and a special Sunday Session on January 26 showcasing the many sculptures around the property, live music and an outdoor café.
Cedar Glen
Wake up with the rooster crowing and get your boots on – this is a genuine farm experience. Feed the hungry farm animals, including horses, sheep, chickens, cows, pigs and ducks each day. Grab a basket and collect eggs or pull up a chair and give milking the cows a try! With four cottages to stay in, Cedar Glen is the ideal family getaway, with boomerang throwing and whip cracking lessons, a twilight mountain top 4WD tour of the Lamington National Park and the Albert River flowing nearby for swimming and exploring.
Milford Country Cottages
A trip to Milford Country Cottages is the ultimate country escape. It’s tucked just outside of Boonah, but feels like a world away. The two self-contained, rustic cottages overlook sweeping country scenery with sunsets unlike anything you’ve seen – sit on the deck with a glass of wine as the kids play outside and take a moment to relax. Sitting on 40 acres, it’s perfect for exploring and learning about the history of the area, with a collection of heritage horse drawn carts and farming equipment scattered on the property. The kids can get up close and personal with the friendly farm animals, feeding the cows, chickens and horse daily. The cottages are within close distance to many bushwalking tracks, cafes and restaurants and lakes too, so you have the whole of the Scenic Rim at your fingertips!
http://www.milfordcottages.com.au/
Scenic Rim Adventure Park
For families with older kids looking for a less traditional country getaway, look no further than the Scenic Rim Adventure Park. This 680-acre property was made for adrenaline junkies, with over 25 kilometres of 4WD track to zoom through. There are a range of tracks, from standard trails to tracks designed to test the most extremely modified vehicles and their driver’s ability, so visitors at all levels of experience can enjoy zipping amongst the natural landscape. There are mountain biking and bushwalking tracks for those who don’t want to get behind the wheel but still explore the park, plus play areas and a maze for the little ones. Individual camping areas are spread out so you won’t be on top of your neighbours and can enjoy the bush in its most natural form. Star gaze at the vast sky, admire the scenery from the lookout and keep your eye out for the variety of wildlife that make their home at the Adventure Park. For those who love nature and cars, this is the Scenic Rim spot for you!
