Farmstay/B&B
Farm Stay
Experience country life to the fullest at a Queensland farm stay, set in the lush hinterland surrounded by rolling hills and rugged mountains.
Embrace rural life at a working cattle station or farm, where you can try your hand at horse riding, milking the cows or feeding the goats.
Farms stays are an experience with a difference, offering a great holiday for both young and old. It is an opportunity to slow down and step back from a busy lifestyle, and to soak up the friendly and peaceful atmosphere of rural Queensland.
Just a 90-minute drive inland from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Cedar Glen (www.cedarglen.com.au) is a working cattle farm located at the foothills of the mountains in the beautiful Lamington National Park.
Activities include cow milking, egg collecting, whip cracking and more.
The award-winning Lillydale Hostfarm (www.lillydale.com.au), located 90 minutes from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, offers old-fashioned hospitality and a range of farm activities as well as abseiling.
Further north in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is the Animal Farm @ Maleny (www.malenyaccom.com.au). Located in the rolling green hills of Maleny with breathtaking views, it offers all kinds of farm activities such as animal feeding, tractor riding and horse riding.
If you prefer something more luxurious, stay in one of the lovely guestrooms or cottages at Peppers Hidden Vale (www.peppers.com.au/Hidden-Vale).
Set on a 10,000-acre working cattle station just 90 minutes from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it offers horse riding and animal feeding as well as clay target shooting, archery, spa treatments and more.
B&B
Besides farm stays, you can also enjoy the country by staying at a cosy bed & breakfast (B&B) property.
Stay in a guestroom of a local family’s residence, savour delicious home-cooked meals and warm hospitality. Or enjoy the privacy of a self-contained cottage or cabin.
One of the best places in Queensland for a B&B experience is Montville, a quaint village situated in the mountains of the Sunshine Coast.
The Falls Rainforest Cottages (www.thefallscottages.com.au) is an award-winning mountain retreat, with five-star accommodation in self-contained cottages.
You can have a relaxing massage in the privacy of your cottage or enjoy a gourmet picnic in the national park surrounding Montville.
The Eyrie (www.eyrie-escape.com.au) is another awarded B&B in the picturesque Sunshine Coast.
Relax and unwind, or you can even enjoy an intimate candlelit dinner and champagne in the heated outdoor spa.
Most B&Bs cater to couples but there are also a number of family-friendly ones, such as The Spotted Chook (www.spottedchook.com).
This charming French-inspired country inn offers lovely vibrant décor, great food, and a colourful brood of chickens.
If you don’t have much time, you can even enjoy a B&B experience closer to the city. Try Annerley Bed & Breakfast (www.annerleybnb.com.au), Brisbane’s most awarded B&B.
Located south of the Brisbane River, just 10 minutes from the city centre, it offers a traditional B&B experience in a late 1800s Queenslander home.
Click here for a comprehensive list of farm stays and B&Bs in Queensland.
