Best Family Farm Stays Near Sydney, NSW

Fresh air, a sky full of stars, adorable nursery animals… a farm stay experience could be just the dose of nature and un-technology disrupted family bonding that you need. We are lucky to have some gorgeous ones a mere drive away from Sydney - here is our list of the best, including a luxury option if you feel like treating yourself. 

1. Bilpin Country Lodge – Farmstay and Bed & Breakfast

Why we like it: Bilpin Country Lodge is beautiful, clean and well equipped. There’s lots of space for the kids to run around, there’s a game room, canoeing, hiking and of course a variety of animals to feed and pat. The kids won't know where to look or go first!  We also love that you can book out the whole property for a big family gathering, anniversary or reunion - the lodge sleeps up to 20 so you can take over and make yourselves feel right at home. 
Distance from Sydney: 90 Minutes

READ ALL ABOUT ellaslist’s VISIT TO BILPIN COUNTRY LODGE

2. Mowbray Park Farmstay Holidays – Picton

Why we like it: At Mowbray Park your stay includes accommodation, all day activities and three meals a day, plus you can access the whole farm. Now that’s a holiday! Activities include horse riding, tennis, swimming, table tennis, canoeing, archery, boomerang throwing, sheep shearing, whip cracking, bush dances, campfires, farmyard activities including feeding the cattle, collecting eggs and milking the cows. There’s plenty to keep kids entertained (hello Kids Club!) while parents relax, unwind or enjoy the farm life.
Distance from Sydney: 90 mins

READ OUR REVIEW OF MOWBRAY FARM STAY HERE. 

3. Calmsley Hill City Farm – Abbotsbury

Why we like it: During Summer, you can camp at Calmsley Hill City Farm! Packages include two days at the farm, overnight camping, dinner, breakfast, exclusive activities, up close and personal animal encounters, helping with morning animal feeding and collecting eggs for breakfast. Exploring the farm’s paddocks with the friendly farmers as the sun sets, and camping out in a paddock in front of grazing Kangaroos, wallabies and emus, will make this an unforgettable experience!
Distance from Sydney: 45 mins

READ ALL ABOUT ellaslist’s VISIT TO CALMSLEY HILL CITY FARM

4. Ashmar Farm Stay – Gloucester

Why we like it: You’ll have this gorgeous self-contained heritage cottage all to yourself so you can experience authentic family farm living! Get started at Ashmar Farm by milking a cow, collecting farm eggs, feeding the animals and bush walking through the ancient cycads. For kids, there’s lots to see and do at the farm, and plenty of wide open spaces to play in. They’ll learn all about farm animals and where food comes from.
Distance from Sydney: Less than 3 hours

5. Kookaburra Cottages – Port Stephens

Why we like it: At Kookaburra Cottages there is a farmhouse, cottages and cabins to choose from for your overnight stay and a daily animal feeding schedule that includes cow milking and feeding of the calf and cows, a tractor ride to feed the pig, then the donkey, goats, alpacas, sheep and duck island. The farm is also close to beaches and tourist attractions around Port Stephens and Nelson Bay.
Distance from Sydney: 2.5+ hours

6. Tobruk Sheep Station – Maroota

Why we like it: Tobruk Sheep Station is an authentic rural and outback setting, and a fun, interactive farm experience for the kids! Tobruk is a working sheep station with two unique farmstay options where you can enjoy the charm of the rustic buildings, blacksmiths shop and farm machinery, the warmth of the open campfire in Drovers Camp with billy tea and baking damper, the hearty country meals, the friendly animals and the beautiful sunsets high above the Hawkesbury River and Blue Mountains.
Distance from Sydney: 70 mins

7. Starline Alpacas Farmstay Resort – Hunter Valley

Why we like it: Starline Alpacas is a deluxe family getaway on a working alpaca farm with around 200 alpacas! Visit them while you wander the fields, and feed them from your hand. You’ll see the cria (baby alpacas) frolic in the late afternoon. There is also a new orchard with quince, lemons, pears, apples and peaches which you can pick on your stay. Choose from a range of cottages to stay in, and there’s a saltwater swimming pool, spa, sauna and children’s playground.
Distance from Sydney: 2+ hours

8. Trudgalong Farm – Gloucester

Why we like it: Trudgalong Farm gives families a unique insight into farm life where this mother and son team have diversified from the more traditional forms of agriculture to include Aquaculture – growing Australian Native Silver Perch in large ponds, Aquaponics – Recycling water from fish tanks to grow plants, Boer Goats, a plant nursery, native Stingless Bees, Labradors and Cavalier King Charles and other animals including miniature ponies, sheep, goats, cows, chooks, guinea pigs and more.
Distance from Sydney: 3 hours

9. Barcoos Barn Farmstay – Perthville

Why we like it: Barcoos Barn is a genuine working farm with loads of merino sheep, breeding cows, working dogs and horses, including Barcoo the wonderful 20+-year-old Clydesdale, and Cody, the awesome Shetland Pony. There’s loads of hands-on interactive family fun and kids will love the farm activities, led pony rides and a sled or sulky ride pulled by resident Clydesdale horse, Bella. Barcoos Barn has two self-contained units plus caravan, motorhome and camping facilities.
Distance from Sydney: 2+ hours

10. Ocean & Earth Farmstay – Limeburners Creek

Why we like it: Ocean & Earth Farmstay is a beautiful property surrounded by natural bushland brimming with native wildlife and friendly farm animals. You get the whole farmhouse to yourself so you can completely relax – but there’s plenty of activities to keep kids entertained! While away the hours swimming in the dam, canoeing, fishing, yabbying, feeding resident farm animals such as horses, cows, alpacas and chooks, bush walking and bird watching. Plus, there’s spectacular stargazing and a bonfire on Saturday nights!
Distance from Sydney: 2.5 hours

11. Minimbah Farm – Kangaroo Valley

Why we like it: Minimbah Farm is a South Coast escape sprawled across 150 acres of beautiful scenic farmland, featuring its own flowing creek and amazing views with almost endless grass paddocks backing onto lush rainforest. It’s a fully operational beef cattle property, that also boasts goats, alpacas, horses, chickens, peacocks and abundant wildlife including echidnas, wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, lizards, parrots, kookaburras, magpies and cockatoos. There are three gorgeous farm cottages to choose from, equipped with a container to feed the goats and alpacas, and a basket to collect the fresh farm eggs.
Distance from Sydney: 2 hours

12. Dusodie Holiday Farm – Dungog

Why we like it: Dusodie Farm is set on the banks of the Chichester River, in the foothills of the Chichester State Forest. This a true farm stay experience, with plenty of farm animals and wildlife for all to enjoy. It makes for a great family getaway, where parents can relax while kids enjoy the cubby, sandpit or trampoline, hand feeding farm animals, and the freedom of a country lifestyle. Wake to the sounds of abundant bird life & inhale the crisp, clean country air.
Distance from Sydney: 2 hours

13. Morvern Valley Country Cottages- Bundanoon

Why we like it: Morvern Valley is host-free so a whole luxurious cottage is yours! Each cottage has its own BBQ area, parking, fenced private gardens, and even its own hen house for egg collecting fun! Children are thrilled to meet the animals including ponies, miniature horses, donkeys, sheep, chickens, ducks, giant geese, alpacas and other farm animals who are friendly, and love a pat, and to be hand fed.
Distance from Sydney: 90 mins

14. Luxury Farm Stay Bonus: Back 2 Earth Farm Stay - Berry 

Why we like it: A sustainable and organic farm stay meets health retreat, Back 2 Earth has it all: massage, a meditative float tank experience, psychotherapy, and fabulous raw vegan cuisine and cooking classes...and all with a magnificent mountain range backdrop.

Pick your own veggies, meet the hand-raised farm animals - including the rescue animals now enjoying peaceful farm life - and take advantage of the water activities nearby at the untainted Seven Mile Beach. The brand new accommodation includes the Luxurious Rustic Loft (a converted milking shed!) accommodates two...for your next mums' getaway or a romantic weekend away? 

Distance from Sydney: 2 hours

More Farm Fun:

Have Breakfast With 200+ Alpacas & Lllamas

Take A Trip To Featherdale Wildlife Park

Check Out This Award-Winning Farm-Themed Playground 

 

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