Downunder Farmstays - Farmstays are a rewarding cultural experience creating unforgettable memories and lasting friendships.

The Adelaide Hills are home to a charming collection of villages an easy one-hour drive from Adelaide. This area is home to some of South Australia’s best food, wine, scenery and wildlife encounters. Here you will find restaurants serving South Australia’s best produce, while wineries beckon from leafy groves, eager for you to sample some of their cool climate drops. Typical farms in this area are sheep, alpaca, dog breeding, pig, fruit, vineyards and hobby farms with a variety of animals.

We have hundreds of farms located across the country, all within easy reach of the major centres of Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Cairns, Gold Coast, Brisbane or Perth. Once we know what type of farmstay you are looking for, we match you with the best farm available, ensuring you have the experience of a lifetime. You can discover the rural Australian way of life and live like a local in one of the following spectacular locations.

Located just south of Cairns, the tropical climate of the Atherton Tablelands features a huge variety of landscapes and attractions – from ranges and waterfalls to spectacular national parks and coffee plantations. With farms scattered between lush rolling hills and rainforests, a farmstay here is unlike anything you will experience anywhere else in the world. Typical farms in this area are dairy, cattle, mango, paw paw, fruit, sugar cane, and vegetable farms.

Conveniently located just over one hour’s drive from either Brisbane or the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim region boasts epic mountains, lush valleys, dry plains and wide-open roads. Located within the Scenic Rim is the town of Beaudesert, a charming rural retreat which boasts a rich farming history. An idyllic and romantic location that enjoys a sub-tropical climate, here you can wander the uncrowded main street, chat with locals and discover the burgeoning wine scene. Typical farms in this area are cattle, sheep, miniature goats/cattle, horse, reptile, bird, vineyards, vegetable and hobby farms.

The iconic Great Ocean Road is ranked one of the best road trips in the world. Here you can take in the natural beauty of the 12 Apostles, explore charming coastal villages and discover lush forests, waterfalls and dramatic ocean cliffs. Australia’s famous koalas can be spotted year-round in Kennett River and at Cape Otway. Southern right whales or blue whales can also be spotted between June and September as they make their annual migration. Most of the Downunder Farmstays farms are situated close to Geelong and Torquay, which are located at the start of Great Ocean Road and approximately 60 minutes-drive from Melbourne. Typical farms in these areas are sheep, cattle, crops, horses, and dog training farms.

The area to the north west of Melbourne encompasses Victoria’s lush spa country and historic goldfields. Remnants of the areas former glory days during the Victorian Goldrush are evident in the grand buildings that line historic main streets. Kyneton, in the Macedon Ranges, is a central meeting point for Downunder Farmstay farms and is an easy one hour drive from Melbourne. The town was once a resting place for miners making their way to the Goldfields, nowadays it is a prosperous farming community with a lively main street. Further west, Ballarat is an enriching city that brings the 19th century Goldrush to life, here you can discover the fascinating history of the region exploring lively museums and art galleries. Typical farms in these areas are cattle, sheep, horse, emu, alpaca, goat, vegetable, fruit, crop, vineyard and farms with a variety of animals.

A comfortable one-hour drive to the east of Perth, the rural areas of Bullsbrook and Gidgegannup form a picturesque gateway to the Avon Valley. Here you will find a patchwork of green rolling hills and historic country towns. It is the perfect destination for pottering through craft shops and museums, picnicking on the banks of the Avon River, hot air ballooning at dawn or setting out on bush walks. Typical farms in this area are hobby farms with a variety of different animals, orchard farms and fruit and vegetable farms.

Queensland is the second largest state in the country, with seemingly endless coastlines, to the great expanses of the outback, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, and an array of rainforests. From one end of the state to the other, you will find a beautiful farm to experience country living – Queensland style!

Only 90 minutes’ drive south of Sydney, the delightful town of Bowral can be found in the stunning Southern Highlands region. Bowral is famous for its vivid tulips, gorgeous gardens and vineyards, as well as its splendid wineries and delicious mix of eateries. Exploring the wider Southern Highlands region, you will discover cool-climate wines and fresh seasonal produce, spectacular waterfalls and grand national parks. The most typical farms in Bowral are cattle, horse, sheep, alpaca, native wildlife rescue, bees, crops, vineyards, and farms with a variety of animals.

From the lush countryside in the Macedon Ranges, through to the grandeur of the Great Ocean Road and the rolling vineyards of the Yarra Valley – you will find a diverse range of farmstays – all within easy reach of Melbourne.

The Yarra Valley is famous for is picturesque vineyard-filled vistas and abundance of cool climate wineries. Located to the east of Melbourne, an easy one hour’s drive from the city centre, the area boasts over 60 cellar doors and numerous fine dining options. In addition to the thriving wine scene, the area also offers a broad range of other attractions, including hot air balloon rides, chocolate factories, fruit farms, art galleries, distilleries and much more. Not to be missed is the Healesville Sanctuary, home to more than 200 native wildlife species including platypus, koalas, Tasmanian devils, kangaroos and wallabies. Typical farms in these areas are sheep, horse, deer and mixed farms.