There is nothing like a farm stay to slow a family holiday right down. Kids swap screens for chickens, cows and the odd alpaca, and parents get a proper break from the daily grind too.
We have pulled together the best family farm stays within about three hours of Newcastle, covering the Hunter Valley, Port Stephens, the Central Coast, the Blue Mountains and the North Coast. Every listing below is currently operating, and we have included the direct website so you can check availability and current rates yourself.
Know of a great farm stay we have missed? Let us know in the comments and we will add it.
What to expect from a family farm stay
Most farm stays give you a self contained cottage or cabin, so you can cater for yourself. The drawcard is the animals. Depending on the property, that might mean feeding alpacas by hand, watching a cow being milked, collecting fresh eggs, or just having sheep graze past your window in the morning.
A few practical things to keep in mind before you book. Farm stays are usually further off the highway than a standard hotel, so check the last stretch of road, some are gravel. Mobile reception can be patchy, which is honestly part of the appeal. And most properties have a minimum stay of two nights on weekends and during school holidays.
Ocean & Earth Farmstay, Limeburners Creek
Address: 560 Fords Road, Limeburners Creek NSW 2324
Website: oceanearthfarmstay.com.au
A close option on this list to Newcastle itself, Ocean & Earth sits on 200 private acres just north of the city. You get the whole farmhouse to yourselves, with a big dam for swimming, fishing and canoeing, plus horses, cows, alpacas and chickens to feed. There is an outdoor fire pit and pool table for evenings, and enough bushland and open paddocks that kids genuinely run out of energy before dark.
Good to know: booking is charged per person with a minimum of 6 adults or equivalent, so it suits an extended family or a couple of families travelling together better than a lone couple.
Kookaburra Farmstay
Address: 564 Marsh Rd, Bobs Farm
Website: Kookaburra Farmstay
A small, family run farmstay on the Tomaree Peninsula, only 10 to 15 minutes from Nelson Bay and Port Stephens’ beaches. Choose from three-bedroom cottages, one-bedroom cabins, or the farmhouse, which sleeps up to 19. The daily afternoon farm tour is the highlight, kids get to cuddle chickens, feed cows and calves, watch the milking, then jump on a tractor ride to feed the rest of the animals.
Good to know: this one books out well ahead of school holidays, so lock in your dates early if you want peak season.
Farm stays in the Hunter Valley
Starline Alpaca Farmstay
Address: 1100 Milbrodale Road, Broke NSW 2330
Website: Starline Alpaca Farmstay
Get up close to alpacas at Starline Alpaca. This working alpaca farm with 150 alpacas offers a peaceful and relaxing farmstay accommodation experience. It’s set between the Brokenback Range and Yengo-Wollemi National Park, right in the Broke-Fordwich wine sub-region. Self contained cottages range from family sized through to three-bedroom deluxe, plus a few couples-only suites if grandparents are along for the ride. Alpacas wander close to the cottages and will happily take feed from small hands, and there is a saltwater pool, tennis court and playground for downtime.
Good to know: book the family cottages rather than the stockyard suites if you have kids, the suites are set aside for couples.
Tangory Farmstay
Address: Glendon Brook NSW 2330
Website: Tangory Farm Stay
One of the newer luxury farm stays in the Hunter Valley, Tangory Farmstay offers a peaceful country escape with modern comforts including spacious accommodation, beautiful mountain views and a relaxing outdoor spa. It’s a great option for families wanting the tranquillity of a working rural property while still being within easy reach of Hunter Valley attractions, wineries and national parks. Ideal for families as it includes a playground to enjoy, friendly farm animals, outdoor games, and a cosy playroom filled with toys, books and board games.
Good to know: Tangory offers a more boutique experience, making it ideal for families wanting privacy and a quieter getaway.
Odyssean Tiny Houses
Address: 113 Quorrobolong Road, Cessnock
Website: Odyssean
For a unique and relaxing getaway in the Hunter Valley take a look at Odyssean tiny houses. Located on 25 acres in Cessnock this working horse agisment farmstay offers 2 tiny houses that are private and furnished with everything you need.There are walking tracks out the back for kids to explore and plenty of room to wander around the property and play. Only 10 minutes away is Hunter Valley Zoo, hot air ballooning, cheese tasting, chocolate tasting, wine tasting and other fun activites like putt putt golf and the wildlife park.
Goldvale Farmstay Upper Hunter Valley
Address: 3006 Golden Hwy, Gungal
Facebook: Goldvale Farmstay
Goldvale Farmstay is a private campground on a working property in the Upper Hunter, right alongside a freshwater creek with plenty of shade trees and picnic spots. This is a back-to-basics option, you need your own toilet, water and firewood, so it suits families who already camp rather than those wanting a cottage. Daily animal feeding and stunning sunsets make up for the lack of mod cons.
Good to know: this is further out than the other Hunter options, budget close to two hours from Newcastle, so it works best as part of a longer Upper Hunter trip.
Farm stays on the Central Coast
Karinya Farmstay
Address: Dooralong Valley NSW 2259
Website: Karinya Farm Stay
Run by hosts Michael and Christie, Karinya sits on seven acres in the Central Coast hinterland, about an hour and 20 minutes from Sydney and 30 minutes from the Central Coast’s beaches. The whole four-bedroom house is yours, with a heated pool, fire pit, outdoor pizza oven and a proper kids’ playground with a rock wall and cubby house. The nightly animal feeding hour is a big hit, alpacas, horses, sheep, goats and even a resident rabbit all get involved.
Good to know: sleeps up to 16, which makes it a strong option for two families travelling together or a milestone birthday getaway.
Yarramalong Valley Horse Farmstay
Address: 798 Yarramalong Road, Wyong Creek NSW 2259
Website: Yarramalong Valley Horse Farmstay
Home to Forest Hill Arabian Stud, which has been breeding purebred Arabian horses for more than 50 years. Alongside 45 Arabians, there are miniature horses, goats, sheep, guinea pigs and silkie chickens for kids to meet. Three residences are available through Airbnb, a farmhouse, cottage and tennis court apartment, all on the one 25-hectare property with river frontage. This is an award winner too, taking out Outstanding Unique Accommodation Experience at the Business NSW Central Coast Visitor Economy Awards.
Good to know: book the farm tour as well as your stay if you want the full hands-on experience, it runs separately to the accommodation.
Amazement Farm & Fun Park
Address: 170 Yarramalong Road, Wyong Creek NSW 2259
Website: Amazement Farm & Fun Park
Part maze park, part mini zoo, part farm stay. Amazement has more than 50 animals, pony rides, a mini train and multiple mazes to get lost in, and guests staying overnight get free access to the whole park during their stay. The farmstay house sleeps up to 10, and families can join a morning or afternoon animal feeding session as part of the package.
Good to know: this is the pick if your kids want a proper day out attached to the stay, rather than a quiet, back-to-nature weekend. Great wet weather back up too, with an on-site cafe.
Farm stays on the Barrington Coast and Mid North Coast
Ashmar Farm Stay
Address: 1581 Waukivory Road, Gloucester
Website: Ashmar Farm Stay
Head to Gloucester for a farm-stay experience at Ashmar Farm Stay. A 500-acre cattle property that has been welcoming families for close to 40 years, Ashmar Farn Stay is set on the Barrington Coast about three hours from Sydney and roughly two hours from Newcastle. The heritage cottage sleeps up to 13, with an additional flat for larger bookings, and kids can milk a cow, collect eggs or head out on a hay ride. It is 15 minutes from the town of Gloucester if you need supplies.
Good to know: repeat guests get a loyalty rate, worth asking about if you plan to make this an annual trip.
Telegraph Retreat
Address: 126 Federation Way, Cooperabung
Website: Telegraph Retreat
Enjoy some country air at a farm stay at Telegraph Retreat located just 20 minutes north of Port Macquarie in Telegraph Point. Located on 8.5 hectares, Telegraph Retreat provides luxury family-friendly accommodation and country hospitality. Three secluded cottages spread over nine acres of bushland, with kangaroos, wallabies and kookaburras wandering through most days. It leans a little more upmarket than most farm stays on this list, think fresh sourdough and farm eggs delivered to your door, but there are still plenty of farm animals for kids to visit. Thirty minutes from Crescent Head if you want the beach as well as the farm.
Good to know: this is the pick if you want a farm stay with a bit more polish, good for a family celebration or a multi-generational trip.
Farm stays in the New England region
Waterfall Way Farmstay
Address: 158 Wakefield Rd, Wollomombi
Website: Waterfall Way Farmstay
The furthest option on this list, but worth the drive if you are heading toward Armidale, Dorrigo or the Waterfall Way more broadly. The original farmhouse sits on a working cattle property with exclusive fishing rights along a stocked trout stream, plus platypus spotting from the deck if you are patient. The same hosts now also offer glamping and a second house near Dorrigo, so there is more flexibility than there used to be.
Good to know: allow a full day for the drive from Newcastle, this suits a longer New England trip rather than a quick weekend away.
Farm stays in the Blue Mountains
Bilpin Country Lodge
Address: 46 Bilpin Springs Road, Bilpin
Website: Bilpin Country Lodge
Set on 10 acres of gardens, farm and bushland, about 90 minutes from Sydney, Bilpin Country Lodge is an easy stopover on the way to or from the Hunter Valley or Mudgee. Kids can canoe, swim, catch yabbies or just say hello to Charlie Brown the Shetland pony and the resident goats and alpaca. There is a games room, kids playground, tennis court and spa for grown ups, and it is pet friendly with kennels supplied.
Good to know: it is close enough to Sydney for a quick weekend, but far enough out that it genuinely feels like the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most farm stays suit toddlers through to teens well, since feeding animals and exploring open space does not need much supervision beyond basic safety around livestock. A few properties, like the couples-only suites at Starline, are not set up for children, so always check before booking if you are travelling with kids.
Some are, including Bilpin Country Lodge, which provides kennels. Always confirm directly with the property, since rules often depend on the resident farm animals and whether your dog is used to livestock.
Budget varies a lot by property and season. Simple campground style stays like Goldvale can be very affordable, while a private homestead sleeping a large group, like Karinya or Bilpin, costs more per night but works out reasonable split across two families. Always check the current site for rates, as they change with the season and school holidays.
Patchy reception is part of the charm for most of these properties, particularly Goldvale, Waterfall Way and Ashmar. If you need to stay connected for work, check with the host before you book.
Closed shoes for walking around animals, a change of clothes for muddy hands, and old towels if you plan on swimming in a dam or creek. Torches are handy too, since farm stays are usually well away from street lighting.
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