Farm Stay Sunshine Coast · Peachester, near Maleny
Queensland farm stays run from outback cattle stations to hobby farms an hour from Brisbane, and "farm stay" can mean anything from a room in the homestead to a self-contained cottage with animals at the gate. This guide covers the main regions, what a stay actually involves, what it costs, and the questions worth asking, written by the family who run Mango Hill Farm in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
Our farm: from A$295 a night Peachester, Sunshine Coast hinterland · 1 hr from Brisbane
Instant confirmation · pay 20% now, the rest 4 weeks out · change of plans? Cancel and get a credit for new dates.
Driving times are from Brisbane. Every region has a handful of farms taking guests; the ones nearest the city book out first.
Peachester, Maleny, Montville, the Glass House Mountains and Kenilworth. Small hobby farms with hand-raised animals, cottages, tiny houses and villas, 20 to 35 minutes from the beaches and Australia Zoo. The closest farm country to Brisbane, and where our farm is.
Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra and Kalbar. Cattle and crop country under the Border Ranges, with bigger properties, farm camping and stays near Lamington National Park. Good for people who want paddocks to the horizon.
Tamborine Mountain, Numinbah and the Currumbin Valley. Cabins and B&Bs on small acreages, close to the Gold Coast beaches and theme parks, with rainforest walks nearby.
Toowoomba, Warwick and Stanthorpe. Working grain and sheep farms, orchards and wineries, with cold winters and the state's only regular frosts. A longer drive, and a different Queensland.
Dairy, beef and peanut country north of the Sunshine Coast, with quieter, cheaper stays on larger farms and the Mary Valley rail trail.
Up the range from Cairns: dairy, coffee and tropical fruit farms around Malanda, Yungaburra and Mareeba, cooler than the coast and popular with people doing the reef and the rainforest.
Almost all of them are self-catered. You get a cottage, cabin, tiny house or house with its own kitchen, and the farm around it. Meals, if offered at all, are usually a breakfast basket or a one-off dinner; bring your own food, and check how far the nearest supermarket is before you arrive.
The animals are what children remember. On a hobby farm like ours, feeding the alpacas, mini cows, goats, pigs, sheep, horses, chickens and ducks is included and you do it whenever you like. On bigger working properties the animals are stock, not pets, and contact may be a scheduled tour. Ask which kind of farm it is; both are good, but they are different holidays.
Expect a two-night minimum at most places, a deposit on booking, and prices that run from about A$150 a night for a basic cabin to well over A$1,000 for a large house for a group. Weekends and school holidays book out first everywhere; midweek is cheaper or easier almost everywhere, and at some farms, including ours, last-minute weeknights are discounted.
The season matters more than in a city. April to September is dry, clear and cool at night across the south-east, and the best time for fires, walks and the animals. December to February is hot and often wet, with afternoon storms; still a good time for a farm with a creek or near the beach, as long as you plan the animals for mornings and evenings. The Queensland school holiday dates are when families book, so book early or go midweek.
Five minutes with these saves a disappointing weekend.
Mango Hill Farm at Peachester: four self-contained stays on one working hobby farm, an hour from Brisbane Airport. Prices are per night for the whole place, two-night minimum.
Best for: Couples, and couples with one or two small children
From A$295 a night · Sleeps 2 to 4 · 2-night minimum
Best for: Families and couples who want the classic farm cottage
From A$495 a night · Sleeps 5 · 2-night minimum
Best for: Groups of up to 8 who want the luxury option
From A$1,100 a night · Sleeps 8 · 2-night minimum
Best for: Extended families, groups and wedding parties of up to 10
From A$797 a night · Sleeps 10 · 2-night minimum
“The kids (age 4 and 6) absolutely loved feeding the animals and talking to Wilson the cockatoo. The cottage was very clean and felt so warm, especially with the fireplace going every night. 5/5 experience for us and we’ll remember it forever.”
“Had such a great time staying at the tiny house! Peaceful views, campfire and friendly animals! Only a short drive to Maleny and other surrounding areas, would highly recommend if you are looking for some R&R!”
“Beautiful, welcoming farm stay. Lovely hosts. Perfect for families. Very comfortable accommodation and immaculate grounds. Highly recommend. 5/5 stars!”
Accommodation on a working or hobby farm where guests can see and usually take part in farm life, most often by feeding the animals. In Queensland that ranges from a room in a homestead to a self-contained cottage or house with the farm around it.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland (Peachester, Maleny, the Glass House Mountains) and the Scenic Rim (Beaudesert, Boonah) are both 1 to 1.5 hours from the city. Our farm at Peachester is about an hour from Brisbane Airport and 90 minutes from the CBD; see farm stay near Brisbane.
From about A$150 a night for a basic cabin to more than A$1,000 for a large house for a group, usually with a two-night minimum. At our farm the Tiny House is from A$295 a night, Dovecote Cottage from A$495, Peachester Villa from A$797 and Bahche House from A$1,100, each for the whole place.
The best ones are, as long as the animals are hand-raised and children can feed them often. Ask whether feeding is included and when it happens; at our farm it is included and there are no set times.
No. At almost every Queensland farm stay, including ours, guests are welcome to join the feeding and the garden but nothing is expected of you.
April to September in the south-east: dry days, cold nights, fires. Summer is hot and stormy but green, and fine if you plan around the middle of the day. School holidays book out months ahead; midweek is the easiest time all year.
Most farm stays have a two-night minimum, ours included. Some larger properties take one-night bookings midweek; ask.
Usually, yes. Booking sites add 15 to 25% on top; most farms, including ours, are cheaper when you book on their own website and you deal with the people who live there.
Peachester, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland between the Glass House Mountains and Maleny. The exact address comes with your booking confirmation.
Also close by: Montville, the Glass House Mountains lookouts, Australia Zoo (15 minutes) and the Sunshine Coast beaches.
Booking direct with the farm is 20 to 25% cheaper than booking the same stay on Airbnb, and you deal with us, not a booking site.
Farm Stay Sunshine Coast
Peachester QLD 4519, Australia
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