PLACES TO FARM STAY Narenna Bloomfield Having grown up on a farm, I can understand the appeal of a ‘Farm Stay’. I look back fondly on my childhood and the general farm life shenanigans. There are places around the Macedon Ranges with varying levels of ‘Farm’ experiences. Here are some ideas for your next trip.
F
ellcroft Farm has been continuously farmed since 1862 by six generations of the Crozier family. Today they produce premium lamb and beef, with best-practice sustainable land management and ethical animal husbandry. Their two stand-alone accommodation quarters offer a place to relax, unwind and reconnect. You’ll be supplied spoils of the land, including homegrown fruit and veg, freerange eggs and honey from the Fellcroft hives. The comfy interiors have been curated with an eclectic mix of contemporary and antique furnishings, some from Fellcroft’s long history. Enjoy a romantic spa, watch a movie or just curl up for a nap. Life on the farm is not all hard work. Lauriston is a quiet little spot, and where you will find Bunjil Farm; a mixed-use farm licensed to grow hemp. Owner, Lyn Stephenson, is generous with her knowledge and hospitality. The property is home to over a dozen buildings that have been rescued from their original site and relocated. They all date from the latter half of the 19th century. This rescue epitomises Lyn’s philosophy of reusing and recycling wherever possible. Throughout the year you may experience poddy lambs, alpacas, horses, cattle, chickens and ducks, and you’re welcome to assist with feeding and
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giving treats. The wild birdlife is abundant, and if you’re really lucky, you might even spot a wedge-tailed eagle soaring overhead (Bunjil himself). Settled in the 1860s, Bringalbit is a unique part of Australia’s rural history. Located only 15 minutes from Kyneton, the property offers self-catering cottages and traditional bed and breakfast accommodation. An ornamental lake, with a small island, was established in the late 1800s and is home to many native ducks, moorhens, herons, grebes and cranes. The farm carries beef cattle, Suffolk sheep and a pet Scottish Highland ‘coo’. You can choose to stay within the original granite homestead, the two-bedroom Shearers Shack or three-bedroom Woolshed Hill House. Owner Susan Fox is also a resident artist and can provide painting and drawing lessons to adults and children. Bringalbit’s Historic Gardens are open for day visits every weekend. Gisborne Peak Winery is not technically a farm stay but provides a serene, off-grid experience. Their four self-contained cottages are set on 18 acres of vineyard, overlooking their vines and lake. The winery cellar door, which is open 7 days, is a short stroll, and in the evening you’re likely to see some ‘roos’. You can enjoy the cellar door snacks and moorishly good wood-fired pizzas,
delighting in a bottle of estate-grown wine, from the very vines surrounding you. Sydney and Anzac, the alpacas, are popular residents at Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat, always seeking out a pat and a snack. It’s a nature lovers paradise, and a great base to explore the region. The award-winning cottages are set in rambling English style gardens. Take time to feed the chooks, collect their eggs and sample their delicious yellow yolks. Pick the fresh berries and fruit in season, used to produce homemade preserves. Nestled in the foothills of Mt Macedon, it’s easy to see kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, colourful parrots and an occasional koala. Owner Andrew Towner says the best way to enjoy your stay is to ‘switch off your devices and connect in other ways’. Photo (L-R) : Fellcroft Farm, Scottish Highland at Bringalbit, Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat
Fellcroft Farm fellcroftfarmstay.com.au Bunjil Farm bunjilfarm.com.au Bringalbit Country Retreat & Gardens bringalbit.com.au Gisborne Peak Winery gisbornepeakwines.com.au Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat braesidemtmacedon.com.au
