10 of the best farm stays

Spending time on the beach, the coast, the caves, the forest, the bush, the wines. And, of course, to fully immerse yourself in this rural experience you’ll want to stay somewhere rural too, and it doesn’t get any more rural than a farm stay. These are ten of the Margaret River Region’s best.

Set on 12 acres of parkland, Margaret River Holiday Cottages abuts a natural reserve with numerous stunning walk trails. The property is also a home for friendly orphaned farm animals, and guests are welcome to help hand feed them in the mornings.

Additionally, there are fantastic facilities to keep the kids entertained with an indoor solar heated pool and heaps of activities like table tennis, family board games, and an undercover barbeque area.

Karridale is a world away from the busy season bustle in Margaret River, and the Karridale Cottages and Hop Farm offer total solace and retreat.

Their self-contained stone and rammed earth cottages are set on 25 acres, which by day is a working hop farm. The property is also dog friendly so that you can enjoy a holiday with the entire family.

The Petra Olive Oil Farm is 1,200 trees on 30 acres tucked away in a hidden corner of Yallingup.

Their dog-friendly farm stay features five beautiful self-contained chalets, and guests can stroll through the tranquil groves and past dams and abundant kangaroos.

The Petra farm shop features a stunning range of estate-produced olive oils, gourmet vinegar, delicatessen and antipasti products, along with skin and hair care products, all of which are single estate produced and cold pressed on-site.

Burnside Organic Farm is a small family and certified organic and biodynamic winery on the outskirts of Margaret River.

They offer bungalow accommodation in their recycled timber and rammed earth and stone cottages. The private patios on the cottages overlook the surrounding farmland, which includes a vineyard, winery, avocado orchard, and vegetable gardens, which guests are welcome to use.

The bungalows are solar-passive and well-spaced among natural bushlands. A big tree swing will provide hours of fun for the kids, and they can also feed the on-site animals and learn about how food is grown in the kitchen garden and orchard.

For the adults, Burnside Organic Farm is also home to a small family winery. Lara and Jamie planted the grapes in 2001 and they handpick and make the wine onsite – all certified organic, from paddock to bottle.

Moonrise Farm is a picturesque small farm in Rosa Brook, 15 minutes east of the Margaret River township. It looks out over a splendid valley where you’ll see abundant kangaroos and other wildlife and further features two dams, a pond and a mature orchard. There are also extra luxuries like a pilates studio and a huge boatshed with two large decks for activities. The original restored farmhouse and two cottages can sleep up to 18 people.

Moonrise is also close to Jester’s Flat, Margaret River’s premium horse riding adventure destination. Jester’s Flat offers everything from a one-hour ride suitable for beginners to five-day treks for those looking for a fully immersive horse riding experience.

Drop a pin smack bang in the middle of the Margaret River Region and it will land somewhere around the Big 4 Taunton Holiday Park. The Cowaramup Park is as central as it gets – it’s close to all the region’s major attractions but is also nicely secluded.

There are 18 cabins of different styles and sizes, as well as powered caravan and camping sites. Features include a large communal BBQ shed, a jumping pillow, a kids’ adventure playground, go-kart hire, and daily animal feeding. Little (and fully grown) curious minds are sure to love the many attractions at this relaxed farm stay.

On the grounds are also a rustic and beautifully restored church and school, which makes for an excellent wedding or function venue.

Margaret River’s Hideaway Farmstay is five kilometers northeast of town in a beautiful, serene rural setting. There are seven cottages and two studios on over 23 hectares of private parkland and pasture.

Each of their upgraded cottages has private enclosures for well-behaved dogs and offers superior levels of comfort. Kids and adults are encouraged to interact and help feed the many cute and fluffy farm animals (hello Scottish Highland cattle and alpacas) on weekends and Tuesday and Thursday mornings; an activity well-loved by visitors of all ages.

Margaret River Hideaway makes the perfect getaway for honeymooners, couples, families, and small groups.

Fair Harvest is a permaculture farm four kilometers out of Margaret River town and offers a variety of permaculture courses and eco-friendly accommodation options.

There are open farm and café days, and regular yoga and wellbeing sessions. On top of that, you can also join Fair Harvest for a retreat, food and community event, or book into their campground or glamping accommodation.

This is a place perfect for people looking to crave a quiet, eco-friendly stay, all while minimising your environmental footprint. All waste is composted on site; all fruit, veg, herbs, honey, and eggs are grown on-site, and all drinking water is filtered rainwater. The camp kitchen and ablution block are built from Fair Harvest grown timber, and all their firewood is also harvested from their plantation.

Guests are encouraged to enjoy, explore and interact with the beautiful farm and explore the Permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share together.

The name of Barn Hives comes from Barnyard Bees Honey Farm, the buzzing little creatures and their homes are a common sight around the vineyard.

The bee theme continues in the nine double-story eco pods, sleek, minimalist and modern, that make up accommodation that mimics human-made beehives. Think a mix of new and old, with a link between nature, landscape and ecological sustainability. It’s a reference to the conservation tourism concept which Barnyard Farm is all about.

The always limited-edition honey is available for free tasting at the Barnyard farm shop. Grab a jar of liquid gold also known as the pure, unprocessed honey produced by the farm’s very own bees.

Nested on natural bushland, pasture and vineyard, this is a farm stay seamlessly weaving together farm, luxury and carefully considered design; 8 Paddocks. For owners Kristie and Shane it originally began as ‘a search for 5 acres with a new house’, and somehow evolved to 180 acres in Treeton Valley, Cowaramup.

Fast forward to today, 8 Paddocks is truly a space for couples or singles to come and lose track of time, unwind and reconnect. Every aspect of the chalet design has been thoughtfully implemented using as much local material and skilled hands as possible. Luxury linen, in -and outdoor fireplaces, outdoor concrete bathtubs, and double-glazed picture windows, are some of the highlights waiting.