When I tell people that I’m from Australia they automatically assume that I live in Sydney. In fact, I’ve noticed that plenty of foreigners seem to completely associate Australia with Sydney, kangaroos and that’s about it. They’ve got it all wrong! If you want to experience the real Australia, you need to do a farmstay, mate!
You can’t go home and say you truly experienced Oz unless you go on a farmstay during your holiday, and believe me, there are plenty around. In fact, farmstay is a booming part of Australia’s tourism industry.
If you go on a farmstay you’re guaranteed to make new friends, get great photos and experience a way of life that you’ll find nowhere else in the world.
Of all the farmstays I know of one comes to mind that stands out above all else for brilliant hospitality and an awesome, genuine experience. I have been to Myella Farmstay at Baralaba, Queensland twice, and I had the time of my life both times.
On a farmstay, no matter where it is, you get the real deal. I can guarantee you that you will get the bluest sky you’ve ever seen, with some of the reddest dust you’ve ever seen. That makes for for a sunset like no other you’ve ever seen followed by a majestic night sky studded with the brightest stars you ever saw.
This is definitely true at Myella Farmstay.
When I went there I had no idea what I was in for. Having been twice now, I can’t wait to go back! Hosts Lyn, Olive, Peter and Ken are some of the most genuine people I have ever met and they have done a marvellous job of opening their family cattle station to travellers from all over the world. Believe me, Myella Farmstay is good old Aussie country hospitality at its best.
At Myella, and no doubt many other farmstays as well, expect to spend your days horse riding, riding motorbikes and helping out around the property. I read on one of the Myella brochures once that you will leave sore and dirty, but very happy… how true that is! If you don’t like getting dirty then don’t go to a farmstay… when I showered the water washed out of my hair tinged red and I was cleaning red dust out of my ears for a while there, too!
And yep, I was sore too… during my farmstay I was assigned to a buckskin horse called Rebel. He had a bit more go than some of the other horses (i’m a horse girl from way back and have my own horses) so I was up for a bit of fun. At Myella Farmstay everyone is assigned to horses according to personality and ability – and I’ve got to give it to them, because they usually get it spot on. I had an absolute ball riding Rebel, but even though I ride all the time I was so sore on day two after several hours in the saddle on my first day at the farmstay. On day two I got the opportunity to give him a go at barrel racing – a real eye opener given that I’m a dressage rider, but sooo much fun!
Between all the great farmstay activities take the opportunity to do a bit of washing, play games, go into Baralaba or go for a dip in the pool.
At the end of the day there’s nothing quite like sitting around the campfire with a few coldies (Australian for an ice cold beer) chatting to your new mates and sharing stories. Then its to bed to do it all again the next day, and believe me, it will be one of the best and most welcome night’s sleep you’ll ever have!
Aussie country hospitality is legendary… so why not experience it for yourself on a farmstay?
Kate Wiley
