Revealed: 14 of the best Queensland outback farmstays

Queenslanders looking for a temporary tree-change are driving a boom in farmstay accommodation bookings across the state.

Queenslanders looking for a temporary tree-change are driving a boom in farmstay accommodation bookings across the state.

Boasting fresh air, bright night skies, adventures and animals, people are flocking to stations, farms, and animal rescues across the state where operators are playing host to families and couples seeking a break from city life.

SEE THE FULL LIST OF QUEENSLAND’S BEST OUTBACK FARMSTAYS BELOW

The getaways span right across the Queensland Outback, from the Gilberton Outback Retreat north of Hughenden in north Queensland, which is nearly the size of the entire country of Laos, right to the Moble Homestead, west of Charleville in the southwest corner of Queensland, where you can explore, canoe, fish and swim.

Carly Clark from Splitters Farm, a sanctuary for rescue animals, offers farm stays just 8km from Bundaberg, and said the holiday option was great for people who were keen to “unplug” and unwind.

Splitters Farm a unique rural camping & farm stay experience. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland, Narelle Bouveng

“We are a 60-acre (24ha) farm surrounded by 100 acres of pristine bushland …” Ms Clark said.

“It’s about connection – connection with animals, with other people and just unplugging from devices and all the stuff we’re exposed to in the work sense.

“It’s about that nostalgia, everyone had a farm experience when they were young and the minute they arrive it’s amazing how the smell and sounds of the farm all come flooding back to them.”

You can make damper, tour the farm, interact with the 4000 animals homed there, stargaze and just unwind.

Gilberton Outback Retreat. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland, Phil Warring

“I think once the lockdown ends the option is for people to either sit at home inside four walls or get out on to the farm and have a 160-acre classroom with no walls where their kids will learn hundreds of things.”

The farm homes alpacas, peacocks, cows, horses, goats, ducks, sheep and even a 27-year-old donkey who you can feed while you’re staying there. If you’re looking to get as far from the southeast as you can, trek up to the five-day exploration getaway at Kinrara expeditions, four hours southwest of Cairns.

Or for somewhere a little closer to home, visit the Scenic Rim, which has multiple diverse options for a farm stay.

When the doors are opened and Queenslanders can travel around the Outback again it might be time you stopped thinking about the place you’d rather be and go visit it.

QUEENSLAND FARM STAY OPTIONS

Herbertvale Station, five hours drive north west of Cloncurry

Follow station owner Shelley Hawkins as she leads a five-day, 66km trek across the north western pocket of Outback Queensland – on foot.

Gilberton Outback Retreat, four hours’ drive south west of Cairns

An 88,000 square kilometre station that is home to 1200 head of cattle and one incredible guest cabin and started in 1869.

Mt Mulligan Station Around, Located 170kms west of Cairns

A 28,000-hectare outback working cattle station with 1400 head of cattle, 16 guests can experience the essence of the outback in style.

Kinrara Expeditions, four hours southwest of Cairns

A five-day, four-night outback Queensland adventure operating from their 70,000-acre MacEacherns Camp cattle station.

Moble Homestead, Quilpie

The property has been passed down through five generations and now includes two huts, a homestead garden room, a shearer’s shed and a Governess’ quarters-come-cottage that literally floats above a waterhole.

Henderson Park Farm Retreat, Capricorn

Accommodation for up to 33 people and educational property tours for city slickers.

Woodleigh Station, Atherton Tablelands

Underground exploration including the heated mineral pools at Innot Hot Springs, the Undara lava tubes and the curious crater at the base of Mount Hypipamee.

Shandonvale Station, via Barcaldine

Dust off your city clothes, this century-old station gets the gong as the education capital of the farm scene thanks to heli-mustering, fresh water yabbie fishing, and a little bit of old-fashioned butchering.

Noonbah Station, via Longreach

Fiery sunsets, dazzling stars, and breath-taking peace, guests can camp at a secluded waterhole, or sleep peacefully at the Old Schoolhouse.

Wallaroo Outback Retreat, near Carnarvon

It’s a huge 71,000 acre cattle farm with eight tepee tents in cattle country dotted with cycad-filled gorges and Aboriginal Rock Art.

Charlotte Plains Farm Stay, near Cunnamulla

A sheep station so large that it once pushed 60,000 animals through its huge shearing shed every year loved for its artesian bores and mineral rich baths.

Alroy Station near Quilpie

Wallow in warm running artesian baths or fish for blue claw yabbies in the nearby Yowah Creek.

Lara Wetlands, near Barcaldine

With 16 acres of camping and absolutely no staked out spaces, this 15,000-acre station comes with a lot of ‘nos’: no powered sites, no EFTPOS, no rubbish bins.

Camden Park Station, Longreach

Owner and big country character Dan Walker, known simply as “Outback Dan” offers a half day smoko tour to learn the ins and outs of historic station life.