‘Tassie’s favourite farmstay’ Curringa Farm’s global success

An idyllic rural getaway has garnered global recognition for its fully self-contained cottages.

Visitors to the farm. Tim and Jane Parsons of Curringa Farm at Hamilton who have won a World Agri Tourism award. Picture: Curringa Farm

A 750-acre idyllic rural getaway in the Derwent Valley has been heralded as the top agritourism business in the world – for a second time.

Dubbed “Tassie’s favourite farmstay”, Curringa Farm won the 2024 World Agritourism Award in Italy this week for its fully self-contained farmstay cottages near Hamilton, a one-hour drive from Hobart in central Tasmania.

Curringa Farm is owned by sixth-generation farmers Tim and Jane Parsons, who diversified the property’s offerings after taking over from Mr Parson’s mother 20 years ago.

“A big part of Tasmania is its open farmland,” Mrs Parsons said.

“When visitors come and stay with us, we invite them to join a farm tour. And on that tour, we showcase the native animals, wildlife, and the beautiful, beautiful land here in Tasmania.”

Tim and Jane Parsons of Curringa Farm at Hamilton who have won a World Agri Tourism award. Picture: Natalie Mendham

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive Alex Heroys said agritourism experiences like those at Curringa Farm were often popular with tourists and locals alike.

“The opportunity to meet the maker and producer is becoming more difficult in our modern world, and connecting visitors to the land, and the food and produce that comes from it, creates an amazing experience.” Mr Heroys said.

“It also supports regional communities and spreads the yield into these important communities.

“Guests travel from around the world – many have returned two or three times since, and some have revisited five times over a 12-year period.”

Tim and Jane Parsons of Curringa Farm at Hamilton who have won a World Agri Tourism award. Picture: Natalie Mendham

Tourism Tasmania chief executive Sarah Clark said there was a growing trend towards agritourism, noting that travellers are increasingly seeking authentic experiences where they can connect with producers and learn about the heritage of the local products.

“We’re so lucky in Tasmania that many of our agritourism offerings are boutique experiences, with multigenerational family-run businesses like Curringa Farm creating unique opportunities for visitors to engage with and learn about the history of their produce and land,” Ms Clark said.

“Curringa Farm tours are suitable for adults and children with a focus on modern-day best practice farming and conservation activities.

“The tour includes a sheep shearing demonstration and watching the farm dogs rounding up several hundred sheep.

“Overnight guests, who book a tour, travel around on the farm bus to see niche seed crops that are exported to European countries, Japan, and North America. Animal feeding of highland cows, alpacas, and chickens are also enjoyed by young and old.”