Springfield Farm, Avoca, New South Wales © Springfield Farm
Romantic getaways in Australia's countryside
Rediscover the simple life at these idyllic Australian countryside retreats.
By Freya Herring and Leah Dobihal
For many of us, life in the country looks pretty sweet – so what better getaway to enjoy a bit of romance? In Australia's countryside, you can do everything from milk cows to churn butter. Or, you can simply enjoy each other's company in serene surrounds.
Here are some of Australia's most romantic country getaways and farmstays.
Currajong Retreat
Where: a three-hour drive from Canberra
At Currajong Retreat, nestled in South-Eastern New South Wales, romance is top of the agenda – closely followed by luxury picnics, candlelit dinners and balcony bubble baths. Cosy into your plush glamping tent, perched atop the Towamba River, before rising to the sounds of nature and a scrumptious breakfast hamper on your doorstep. Between luxury, eco-friendly digs, dreamy views, adorable farm goats and an off-grid location, pure relaxation isn't difficult to come by here.
How to experience it: Be sure to book one of the retreat’s romantic experiences, including Picnic in the Paddock, Bubbles and Breakfast, or the three-course Candlelit Dinner.
Dairy Flat Farm
Where: a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne
For a truly wholesome country experience, look no further than Dairy Flat. This 40-acre (16-hectare) productive farm and lodge is located near Daylesford, a quaint village just a drive away from Melbourne. The happenings here are like something out of a storybook – with bakers tending the ovens, beekeepers checking in on their hives and native wildlife like kangaroos and wombats roaming the grounds.
How to experience it: Owned by the same team as Dairy Flat, Lake House is a renowned regional restaurant just a ten-minute drive from your lodge. Be sure to book in a meal for fresh, seasonal dishes in a modern setting.
Mt. Mulligan Lodge
Where: a 2.5-hour drive from Cairns
Who says the rugged outback can't be romantic? Mt. Mulligan Lodge is a property that brings luxury to Queensland's outback – but a stay here is about much more than the retreat-style accommodation. It's the experiences outside of the lodge that make this a trip worth taking.
How to experience it: Take advantage of the incredible outback activities on offer. You can tour gold mines, relax in waterholes, muster cattle and more.
Mylor Farm
Where: a 30-minute drive from Adelaide
Located in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, Mylor Farm is a cute-as-a-button country cottage and certified kangaroo sanctuary. Guests stay in an elegant, three-bedroom stone cottage with a large verandah and a crackling fireplace for the cooler months. You're sure to spot kangaroos hopping across the property, and you may even see koalas sleeping in the treetops.
How to experience it: Farm life is all around at Mylor. Help out in the veggie garden, wander the nearby Mylor Conservation Park or pick yourself a snack from the orchard.
Tommerup's Dairy Farm
Where: a one-hour drive from Brisbane
Set in the dramatic landscapes of Queensland’s mountainous Scenic Rim, Tommerup’s Dairy Farm has been in the Tommerup family for six generations. Stay in one of the two 19th-century cottages for a rustic atmosphere and stunning views.
How to experience it: Partake in daily milking, as well as feeding the cows (including bottle-feeding the calves) and smashing pumpkins for the pigs to eat. It's the perfect combination of work and play.
Naked Cubby Co
Where: a 20-minute drive from Canberra
Ever dreamt of waking up on a vineyard, the dawn mist covering the vines? Then Naked Cubby Co, a vineyard farmstay, is your dream come true. Each of the two stylish glamping pods offers something different: hilltop 'Edgar' has breezy, sweeping views over the top of Mount Majura Vineyard, whereas 'Frank' is cosy and sheltered, nestled at the bottom of a slope. Both are perfect for a couple's getaway.
How to experience it: The nearby Mount Majura vineyard is a must-visit. Sit down for a tasting of cool-climate wines and delicious nibbles.
Bullo River Station
Where: a ten-hour drive (or a helicopter ride) from Darwin
Adventurous couples should look no further than Bullo River Station in the Northern Territory’s East Kimberley. Life on a 200,000-hectare (500,000-acre) working cattle station is never dull, and you're sure to leave feeling a little more in tune with Australia's epic outback.
How to experience it: Get involved with feeding calves or work up a sweat in the dust of the cattle yards. Other experiences include a guided tour of Miriuwung-Gajerrong rock art or cruising the Bullo River.
Curringa Farm
Where: a one-hour drive from Hobart
When it comes to farms, Curringa is the real deal. The property encompasses some 300 sprawling hectares (750 acres), producing meat and wool via 3,000 resident sheep (who’ll most likely wander past your door). Stay in the luxury two-person studio for a romantic weekend in the country.
How to experience it: Take a farm tour to learn about sheep-shearing and working farm dogs, and in the afternoon, enjoy a proper farmer’s barbecue (or there’s always the farm café).
The Farmstead Tatura
Where: a two-hour drive from Melbourne
The Farmstead Tatura in Victoria's Goulburn Valley is perfect for those who want to experience country life without any of the hard work. Outside are the smells of gardens and flowering trees, and inside your guest room (located in the owners’ 1920s farmhouse), it’s all about slowing down.
How to experience it: Take the time to fully relax during your stay. Enjoy refreshments from the minibar, spend an extra few minutes under the waterfall shower and take in the vibrant colours of a country sunset.
Burnside Organic Farm
Where: a three-hour drive from Perth
Situated between the laidback town of Margaret River and a beach, Burnside Organic Farm grows avocados, grapes, honey and capers, and even has its own minimal-intervention winery onsite. The bungalows here were made for a romantic getaway – think outdoor stone baths, wood fireplaces and open-plan living.
How to experience it: Help feed the farm animals, have a private tasting at the winery and simply enjoy the rustic lifestyle.
Springfield Farm
Where: a 1.5-hour drive from Sydney
Springfield Farm is located in the tiny town of Avoca in the Southern Highlands. It's not only the luxury houses that draw visitors to the farm; it's a fully immersive experience at Springfield, from the moment you wake up with birds chirping to when you warm up by the fireplace in the evening.
How to experience it: Go on a tour of the vegetable gardens, mushroom farm or beehive with “Farmer Pete” (co-owner Peter Barge), or do an intensive permaculture retreat over a weekend to learn how to re-create Springfield’s veggie gardens at home.