Simone Williams opens Hillview Stables Airbnb in Currumbin Valley

Saddle up for a staycay - cowboy cool has arrived on the Gold Coast with the opening of a Yellowstone-inspired Airbnb. Have a look inside

Growing up in the city, Simone Williams was that horse-mad girl with pony posters plastered on her walls.

Now, one of those treasured prints has a new lease of life, hanging in the latest luxury accommodation addition to her historic Currumbin Valley dairy farm.

The equestrian encore to original Airbnb hit Hillview Dairy, the opening of Hillview Stables is a full-circle moment for the ‘accidental inn-keeper’.

“When I was a little girl I would dream of horses and ponies all day long,” she said.

Hillview Stables in Currumbin Valley Picture: Krista Eppelstun

“Even though I didn’t own my own horse until much later, my childhood dreams came true with horses and riding becoming a big part of my life.

“Settling at Hillview and finally buying my own horses has been extraordinary for me.

“To wake up to the smell of horses and the sound of them is truly the best therapy anyone could have.

“I had a treasured pony poster on my wall of all the different breeds and it now hangs in the Stables’ bunk room.”

Hillview Stables in Currumbin Valley. Picture: Krista Eppelstun

Recently debuting on Airbnb, Hillview Stables is a restoration of the property’s 130-year-old coach house, “with a strong nod to its original design and a hint of Yellowstone”.

“It is super horsey and very cowboy,” Ms Williams said.

“I worked with the same team of builders who wove their magic into the old dairy.”

Made up of two barns connected by a central covered entertaining area, Hillview Stables is full of original features, including a local landmark.

“The incredible exposed beams and stable doors have been (made from) Hillview’s original entrance, Currumbin Creek’s Boyd’s Bridge,” Ms Williams said.

“Built by John Boyd in 1883, the bridge was the only connection to the world for John and Adessa Boyd.

The farmhouse kitchen is full of original features. Picture: Krista Eppelstun

“Once over the bridge, the early settlers navigated 13 creek crossings to deliver the milk urns into town.

“In 2020, a local council decision was made to destroy and replace the bridge … and we were able to save the original structure for Hillview Stables.

“Its axe-hacked hardwood beams have been repurposed as part of the trusses, so the bridge remains a special part of the fabric that is Hillview.”

Overlooking the Mt Tallebudgera escarpment, the Stables sleeps up to 10 guests across three bedrooms. Ponies and pups are also welcome.

A big, ranch-style kitchen is loaded with retro Smeg appliances, and leather lounges survey the paddocks and a four-sided glass fireplace.

“You can relax with a quiet cowboy tequila and try to pretend you’re not in Wyoming,” Ms Williams said.

Horse theming continues in the bedrooms. Picture: Krista Eppelstun

“Separate to the cookhouse barn are three luxuriously appointed bedrooms, each with country mountain views and private access to the veranda.

“The western cowboy bathhouse features a custom stone bath, barn doors … and an outdoor rustic bath perfect for ice bathing.”

Guests can alternate dips in the deep magnesium pool with swims at Currumbin Rockpools, a short drive away.

There’s also an outdoor fire pit and manicured bocce court, and the ability to whip up an alfresco feast on the gas Cozze pizza oven and Ziegler & Brown barbecue.

But don’t forget to look after the neigh-bours first.

“Feeding our resident Hillview horses carrots at sunset is non-negotiable,” Ms Williams said.

Guests can go from paddock to pool at Hillview Stables. Picture: Krista Eppelstun