Insta-worthy farm adventure reopens during pandemic
For the first time since the pandemic residents can escape the city cluster for a day of tranquillity at a Eton farm
Mackay
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mackay. Followed categories will be added to My News.
FOR the first time since the start of the pandemic, residents can escape the city for a day of tranquillity at an Eton farm.
Freckle Farm will open up and host its farm walks for the first time this weekend.
Co-owner Deb McLucas said the tours were usually held once a month throughout the dry season, but the pandemic had forced the farm walks into hiatus.
Ms McLucas said she missed opening up the paddocks and letting visitors mingle with the cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, horses and dogs on farm.
"Connecting with our customers is a big part of what we do," Ms McLucas said.
"People are really interested in learning about our organic farming."
While education was key, Ms McLucas said the best part of the tour was watching children's eyes light up as they explored the working farm.
"The look on kids faces while pretending to drive the tractor is priceless," she said.
"The kids have the biggest grins on their faces.
"It's one of the highlights."
Read more:
Farming champions put Mackay on the food map
New life for run-down rural emergency getaway
$1 million investigation to unpack biohub in Mackay
And for the first time ever, Ms McLucas said the farm tours would feature an Instagram worthy line of sunflowers.
"We've been waiting to see when they would bloom," she said.
Ms McLucas said the gorgeous bursts of yellow were about more than looking pretty, as they were part of the organic farm's multi-species crop rotation.
"This is called multi-species cropping and the diversity of plants feeds the soil biology and also attracts beneficial insects including the English honey bee," she said.
Rather than holding large guided tours, Ms McLucas said visitors would be allowed to stroll through the farm at their own pace.
"We'll be wandering around as well," she said.
Ms McLucas said visitors could make the most of the country air, by sitting under the shade and enjoying the tranquillity with a picnic.
Ms McLucas said visitors would need to register online.
Subscriber benefits:
Five ways to get more from your digital subscription
WATCH: Your guide to reading the Daily Mercury online
Your questions about the new Daily Mercury format answered
She suggested visitors bring sun safe hats and clothes and shoes they did not mind getting a bit of mud on.
"We aim to get the kids a little muddy to get the authentic farm experience," she joked.
Freckle Farm Walks
Where: 247 Olletts Road, Brightly via Eton
When: 9am-2pm Saturday October 10 and Sunday October 11.
Tickets: $5
‘Broken-hearted’: More than 1400 without power after powerful storms uproot trees
More than 1500 people remain without power across Central Queensland and the Central Highlands after wild storms tore through the region.
‘He was under the car’: Miraculous rescue of pinned rider
A witness has detailed the shocking moment she watched a motorbike rider go underneath a car, with the pinned rider miraculously avoiding serious injury.