Brisbane is a buzzing city and it sometimes gets to a point where you feel that you are exhausted and overwhelmed by everything. But if you feel that you are not ready for long travel and not up for a flight to a holiday destination, don’t fret. Some of the coolest holiday destinations are within driving distance from Queensland’s capital city, including farmstays. My good friend Paul, an experienced Brisbane house washing professional, says this is one of his favourite things about living in ‘Brissie’ – it has all the conveniences of living in a large city, yet easy access to the outback.
Whether you are up for some farm activities or you just want a momentary escape and solitude from all the city chaos, there’s always something that suits your preferences. You may even learn a thing or two about how a farm operates on a day-to-day basis that you can eventually use when you decide to have a farm of your own.
Some Farmstays Near Brisbane
Branell Homestead
This federation-style Queenslander homestead is situated in the majestic Lockyer Valley and caters to people who aim to experience the old-fashioned country life, away from the noise and chaos of city living. It is an 80-acre property close to Laidley, which is just around an hour’s drive from Brisbane.
Because of its spectacular location and overall aesthetics, it is also a very popular country wedding and reception venue that also includes on-site accommodation for the families and guests of the newlyweds.
As a farmstay, it offers luxe lodgings for both solitude-seeking tourists via its standalone cabins and for groups and families via its suites. Each accommodation serves you with a spectacular view of the Lockyer Valley from the comfort of your cabin’s deck. De-stress by just sitting and enjoying the peaceful surroundings and friendly atmosphere as cows graze in the paddocks, fish jump in the lake, and birds fly overhead.
Glasshouse Mountains Farmstay
Formerly an old Dairy Shed that has been transformed into four bedrooms, five beds, and two-bathroom accommodation that can house a maximum of eight guests, Glasshouse Mountains Farm Stay is a nice place to have a break from the city’s busy life. What’s good is that you don’t have to go far from the city as it’s only a 40-minute drive from Brisbane.
Some of the amenities include a barbecue, outdoor furniture, and a swimming pool. Enjoy the outdoors by seeing amazing sunsets and feeding the animals with the kids. This multi-generation farm grows fruits like apples, pineapple, and passion fruit, among others.
Mango Hill Farm
In Peachester, Queensland, just a 1.5-hour drive from Brisbane, lies a lovely property named Mango Hill Farm. If its beauty isn’t enough for you to fall in love with the place, know that it is also home to a herd of rescue animals.
Accommodations include Dovecote Cottage which is a 112-year-old Queenslander that was restored but is still adorned with old decorations. Food is never a problem here as you can feast on the farm’s seasonal produce delivered in a hamper or you can even pick some yourself. They even serve afternoon tea with homemade scones.
It is a private haven where you can rest and unwind or participate in simple farm activities such as collecting eggs, feeding livestock, spotting animals from afar, or sampling vegetable gardens. However, it also caters to different family occasions or even business events or retreats.
Mayan Farm
Located within the Noosa Trail Network along the Kin Kin Creek that’s a two-hour drive away from Brisbane, it comprises 100-plus acres of fertile land full of grass for grazing. Being a working farm, it contains a plethora of livestock that include cattle, sheep, quarter horses, and ducks, which are roaming around the large paddocks within the property.
Mayan farm provides sustainable and environmentally-friendly accommodation which are popularly known as Mayan Luxe Villas. They offer a whole-house experience with a wide view of the farmland and the surrounding countryside.
Each villa can accommodate up to eight guests and the whole property’s structure is constructed using eco-friendly materials as it follows a strict sustainable luxury ethos. These materials include recycled timbers that came from the original construction of the slab hut building and rammed earth or compacted natural materials in place of commercial concrete. These make the villas cool during summer and warm during winter.
Paradise Country Farmstay
This great adventure location that is perfect for families seeking opportunities to bond together to create good memories is just a 45-minute drive away from Brisbane. Here, you can enjoy some of the best camping adventures as it is home to some of the unique wildlife in Australia, as well as a plethora of farmyard animals.
The farmstay also offers sunrise and sunset activities but you can choose to just relax and enjoy solitude while being mesmerised by the beauty of the surroundings. The choices for accommodations can include Camp and Van Site, Eco Tent Couple, Eco Tent Couple Ensuite, Eco Tent Family, and Eco Tent Family Ensuite, and will depend on the number of guests.
Kids will surely enjoy collecting eggs, milking cows, visiting animals, and also enjoying some lawn games. At night, you can all gather around over a campfire while roasting marshmallows.