Wallinga Farmstay, Mudgee, NSW: Meet Bruno the guard alpaca, protector of sheep

Bruno the guard alpaca protects his flock of sheep fiercely.

In my wildest dreams I never expected a fiery redhead to come between newborn lambs and me. I pictured cuddling their soft pillow-like bodies in my arms while feeding them milk from a bottle. But Bruno is having none of that.

Bruno, a mature reddish coloured male alpaca, was introduced to Wallinga Farm to protect the sheep from predators, namely foxes. And Bruno takes his shepherding role seriously. Extremely seriously.

Even Wallinga farmer Mick Azar cannot get too close to the flock when the ewes are lambing. During our tour of the farm on Mudgee's outskirts Mick, his wife Alina and their two youngest kids Cooper and Ruby have to stand up to Bruno who throws his weight around like a nightclub bouncer. Despite his doleful puppy dog eyes and long flirtatious lashes, it's clear Bruno would fight to the death to defend his flock.

Mick Azar cannot get too close to the flock when the ewes are lambing.

"Alpacas will chase down the fox and kick or stomp on them," Mick tells us.

Mick says that Bruno has a particular thing about red heads (even though he's clearly one himself). Maybe it's because red hair reminds him of foxes, or perhaps he can see the colour red the clearest. Whatever the reason, I'd suggest donning a cap if your hair leans towards flame coloured.

We learn about the fascinating relationship between alpacas and sheep, manage to (secretly) snuggle a lamb and meet the resident chickens on a two-hour tour of the farm which opened to guests last year.

Visitors stay in a two-bedroom cottage set in a secluded location with bucolic vistas, private deck and firepit.

The Azar family made a tree-change from Wollongong on the NSW South Coast to Mudgee in 2017. Raising their three children on the farm has given the family space to roam, raise animals and live a lifestyle simply not possible in the big smoke. The family of five and Zoe the kelpie now share their carefree rural life with friends and lucky visitors including us. While most visitors to Mudgee come for the incredible wineries, the Azar family saw a gap in the market and opened the farm stay to give visitors the chance to experience farm life too.

Before we arrive we pre-order fresh damper which is made by 12-year-old Cooper. It's waiting in the oven for us as we pull the car up taking in wide open skies and views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Visitors stay in a two-bedroom cottage set in a secluded location with bucolic vistas, private deck and firepit. The contemporary cottage includes a kitchen and lounge area, air conditioning, queen bedroom and built-in bunk room that sleeps four, making it ideal for families.

Days at Willunga are spent watching ewes and lambs graze (under Bruno's watchful gaze), yabby hunting, strolls around the property, backyard cricket and blazing country sunsets, glass of Mudgee wine in hand. We swap screen gazing for nights spent roasting marshmallows and chatting around the fire pit beneath a blanket of stars. Even though the cottage has a TV it doesn't cross our minds even once to turn it on.

Depending on the season, a range of on-farm experiences are on offer including hand feeding lambs, collecting chicken eggs, lamb marking and even fencing. We watch the Azar kids round up sheep on minibikes and join a fun yabby race at the dam.

Of course, no visit to Mudgee is complete without ticking off at least a few wineries. Notable cellar doors include Lowe Wines, Burnbrae, First Ridge and Huntington Estate. Alina can even take you on a personalised tour of her favourites.

For us though, given our hankerchief sized yard in urban Newcastle, having all that space is a novelty. Instead of our daughter spending hours gaming, she's keen to play backyard tennis, kick a football and collect kindling for the fire.

As we slip into bed on our last night after sitting around the firepit we hear loud banging and footsteps on the deck. Racing to the door in our pyjamas we look out to see the entire flock of sheep surrounding the cottage, grazing beneath inky black skies and a fingernail moon.

I quickly scan to see if the fiery redhead is on duty and sure enough, there he is hovering like a protective father. Every step you take, every move you make, you can be sure he'll be watching you.

THE DETAILS

The NSW Central West region begins two hours' drive from Sydney. Direct flights from Sydney to Mudgee are available with Fly Pelican. See flypelican.com.au

STAY

Wallinga Farmstay costs from $350 a night, minimum two-night stay (sleeps six). Homemade damper $10; farm tour $25 a person and half day wine tour $200 for four. See wallingafarmstay.com.au

MORE

Traveller.com.au/mudgee

Sheriden Rhodes was a guest of Wallinga Farmstay.