A Magigal

Nestled in Pipers Creek, in the lush Macedon Ranges, is a minimalintervention micro farm, that doubles as boutique accomodation, called Crofters Fold.

Although the founders, Georgie and Michael, speak to me from Saudi Arabia, they are both purebred country Aussie stock. Georgie quips, “I’m the daughter of a fifth generation grazier & farmer.”

After the tumultous period of droughts in the 80s, the family decided to turn over a new leaf. “The story goes that my father came home one day and announced, ‘there’s got to be more to life than this,” explains Georgie. “Both are truly adventurous at heart. We moved around NSW and over to WA over several years as Dad settled into corporate life and finally ended up in Melbourne. Our country roots still running thick through all our veins.”

Georgie eventually met Michael, “We always knew we wanted a connection for our own family in a rural community like we both enjoyed when we were small.” She says, “Seven years, three kids (currently 6yo, 4yo & 2yo) and a retail business (www. georgesofdubai.com) later we suddenly came up for air and decided it was time to find a spot to put down some country Australian roots for our little family.”

Georgie’s brother and sister-in-law were living in a property near Malmsbury and her parents were on land near Lauriston so when Crofters Fold hit the market, the dream came to life.

But not without a hitch. “We moved back to Australia at the worst possible time, Victoria’s COVID quarantine and subsequent lockdowns made an international homecoming completely soul crushing.” She says, “We eventually settled into Crofters and got to work tweaking the wonderful work the previous owners had achieved in establishing the bee friendly, chemical free peony and garden rose farm, vineyard and the accommodation offering.”

The ornate property is every bit bucolic.

“Surrounded by the gorgeous granite boulders, rolling rural landscape, fresh eggs from our lovely chookies, the cheeky Black Faced Suffolk's parading past the sunroom window and handsome Highland cows in the distance, we thought we were done forever.”

When the lockdowns were over, and both Georgie and Michael were back at work, the labour of the farm weighed heavily on their careers, “Our idyllic country life, not quite the reality when you are still building a career and putting foundations down to bring up three kiddies. We started building a really great team to pick up the slack and all of a sudden the property was sailing along.” about their last tasks of the day and as the shadows start to paint violet hues across the ridge, the sheep make their way through the paddocks to their sleeping spot under the old pines. The beauty and simple delight of this nightly cacophony fills your cup full to the brim.”

Now, the property is among Macedon Ranges most celebrated farm stays. “We intended to create a 'home away from home' feeling that evokes curiosity and tells the story of our wanderlust,” explains Georgie. “Staying at Crofters Fold is an immersion.

Crofters Fold

33 Balls Lane, Pipers Creek stay@croftersfold.com.au croftersfold.com.au ers fold accommodation at The Houses Daylesford thehousesdaylesford.com at its best.

Four or ve course seasonal set menu, changing monthly. Open for lunch Friday - Monday.

Bookings essential.