Farmer’s tourist drought solution

A fourth-generation farming family in Warialda, 700km north of Sydney, have taken a different tact in dealing with the drought by branching out into a new business venture.

Farmers battling the worst drought in living memory are making the best of a bad situation creating alien-like hotels and mustering wild goats for cash.

The drought which engulfs most of the state has devastated industries in regional and rural Australia.

Farmers battling the worst drought in living memory are making the best of a bad situation. Picture: David Swift

But a fourth-generation farming family in Warialda, 700km north of Sydney, have taken a different tact in dealing with the drought by branching out into a new business ventures.

Belinda Munsie, 62, and her husband Jamie, 65, alongside their children Will, 33, Sam, 31, and Kate, 29, have created Faraway Domes — a canvas structure overlooking breathtaking views of their property.

Interior of Faraway Domes at Warialda.

Sam Munsie, 31, Belinda Munsie, 62, Will Munise 33, and Jaime Munsie, 62. Picture: David Swift.

“One of the benefits of the drought, and there has not been many, but it has forced us to change and try something new with the land,” Belinda said.

“We started pulling everything together late last year and we’ve been shocked by the number of bookings we have had.”

“The of the best things about having the dome is that it is bringing the family together. Sam, Will and Jamie built the dome by hand, I’ve done the design and Kate is looking after the marketing and website.”

The Munsies admit in hindsight they were fortunate to make the difficult decision of destocking their cattle at the start of the drought in 2017.

“It was horrible at the time. You are selling off your livelihood, but we had a plan and we’ve kept moving forward,” she said.

“We’re some of the lucky ones that we don’t have to keep paying to feed the stock.”

The gamble has paid off, the family and business, are able to keep the property without bleeding money on feed and stock.

Both Will and Sam have been forced to find work off the property — mainly working in fencing until the drought breaks.

But their eyes are still open to opportunities on the land, in particular, mustering wild goats.

“When we see them walking over the property we fly out of the house, get on the quad bikes and chase them down,” Will said.

“They’re amazing animals they hardly need any feed and eat the weeds growing on the crop fields.”

The domes were built by hand.

The canvas structure overlooks breathtaking views of the property.

The goats attract a high price in the Middle East and the Munsies are slowing growing their stock.

And the innovative streak won’t end when the drought finally breaks.

“Change is sometimes needed, we’re going to farm sheep instead of cattle and look at building more domes. It is a horrible way for it happen but we’re getting through it,” she said.

True to country hospitality the Munsies have reached out to other businesses in the community as they all fight the economic downturn caused by the drought.

Warialda small business owner Rachel Sherman, 39, said the best way city slickers could help is by getting out to the communities doing it tough.

“It is great that people from the city want to help by sending packages and donating but the best thing they can do is get out here and spend some time in the community,” she said.

“Instead of a beach holiday, families in the city should go bush. Businesses in town are struggling — I’m a photographer, and I’ve noticed a drop off in clients since the drought. It is affecting everyone.”