Last week I travelled back in time. The boys and I stayed in a white-washed farm cottage perched on a wide creek. Chickens roamed at our feet. Cattle regarded us with disinterest and the mothers of newborn calfs eyed us warily. Friendly horses came near and nuzzled at our sides, hoping for carrots.
We seemed a million miles away from noise, from bustle, from stress and from reliable internet connection. The kids had nothing to do but run and play and explore. We had nothing to do but sit and talk, read and unwind.
It was the kind of place that reduced life to its simplest and easiest form. More so than a beach holiday, where fun on the sand is book-ended by arguments over sunscreen and lugging a bag the size of a small house. More so than travelling away when you feel you have to pack each moment with all the experiences available lest you never make it back to the destination. Everything was slow. There was no pressure. A little like camping. Except with comfortable beds and no arguments over how to put up the tent.
The kids seemed to relax into their new surroundings. Hunting for eggs replaced hunting for Pokemon. A morning round of hellos to the animals replaced cartoons. Fishing with dad trumped checking soccer scores on the iPad.
My own frantic morning checks of the socials were replaced by chapters of books, cups of coffee and scrambling fresh eggs.
We spent a lot of time on the back deck. Overlooking Yabba creek, a camp ground and brave teenagers jumping from high rocks into chilly water. In the afternoons we took the farm canoe for a relaxed paddle. In the evenings, when the water was like glass, we tried to spot platypus amongst the large fish that defied catching.
Even though the nearby town boasted two places to eat, we cooked at our temporary home. Listening to music and dancing as we did so. We played a few board games before the kids went to bed.
I had brought my laptop. I’d planned to write. There were plenty of idyllic spots that would be been perfect. But I didn’t. The laptop remained unopened.
It was exactly what I needed.
If you are interested, we stayed at Imbil Bridge Farmstay which is about 2.5 hours drive from the Southside of Brisbane (slightly less if you take the tunnels). Unless you are with Telstra, you won’t get mobile reception in town or slightly out of it. However, there is a signal at the nearby town – Kenilworth – along with good coffee, a great playground, a few interesting shops and a cheese factory. It’s well worth the 20 minute drive.
On Wednesdays during school holidays Mary Valley Adventure Trials hosts a kids horsing around day and my eldest had a great time, learning to ride and playing games. It’s just up the road at Amamoor. While he learned how to walk, trot and gallop we visited Lake Borumba, which is about 11ks out of Imbil town and an exceptionally pretty drive. You can boat (powered and unpowered) in the lake.
The kids brought their bikes and the cycle into Imbil from the farm is very easy. You will definitely want to bring some fishing rods or reels and try to catch a few fish from the house’s private jetty. Hopefully you will have better luck than we did! The kids don’t need a fishing permit, but any serious anglers over 12 will. The farm canoe is quite large and seats two adults and two small children comfortably. It’s not at all tippy.
What did you get up to during the holidays?
Any farmstay recommendations? I think we might be hooked.
That sounds fantastic, Robyna. We’ve never done a farm stay before, but it sounds like it would be perfect for us. I’d love that opportunity to switch off from all tech.
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I think you’d love it there.
The house looks lovely – so picturesque and the farm looks really peaceful.
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SO peaceful. Was just lovely being by the creek.
Making note of this for another holiday. We drove toTenterfield along with our 3 closest friends and their kids (all up 8 adults and 11 kids ages 7-13) and we had the best time- lots of hiking/ rock climbing, 1 day of wine tasting, combo of eating out and cooking bbq nights. Was perfect for 6 days.
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That sounds fabulous. Love holidays with other families.
Oh, that looks so idyllic, Robyna. My extended family live on land and we have been spending a bit of time up there lately. The kids love it. There are guinea fowls, baby goats and a pony. Kids needs so little to be happy, and it is lovely to take away all of the peripherals for the adults too.
It’s amazing how quickly they forget about their toys and screens when the outdoors is accessible.
This looks absolutely delightful! We headed to the beach for a few days, but I do think my kids would much prefer this.
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I was worried the kids might get bored, but they loved it. They keep asking to go back.
Ah, nothing better than a holiday where you get back to basics! We went camping at Kalbarri, WA and it was so nice to be away from responsibilities! We made lots of memories and while I had phone/internet access a lot, I told my husband that I was stoked I had no idea what was going on in the world other than where we were for those few days (I had social media that I posted to but rarely browsed through). It was wonderful and recharging – except for Mr Unprepared’s food poisoning immediately upon our arrival home. I’m pretty sure he didn’t enjoy that haha.
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Uggh. Food poisoning is the worst, particularly after holidays. I love camping for similar reasons – nothing to do but read, cook, and occasionally check where the kids are 🙂
This is a lovely post Robyna. What beautiful memories you have made. I’d be in heaven staying in that little farm house. Xx
It was a little slice of paradise.
That looks amazing! You’ve made me really want to google Farmstays now to find one near us! x
You definitely should – such a great family holiday.
Perfection! Your photos are stunning too.
Thanks Nikki – the light made it pretty easy to take a good snap. It was exactly what the family needed.
What a gorgeous setting, I can feel how peaceful it would be. Our holidays zoomed past. We didn’t go anywhere apart from a couple of day trips, and the girls had some friends over, but it was nice not to have any commitments as such.
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It was really nice actually not having so many commitments as I normally overload. The holidays DID go fast.
Sounds like bliss!
Indeed it was.
This looks stunning. The sunlight in your images is perfect. We are having one of these vacations this month. I can’t wait to dig out the board games and ball games.
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Have the best time. The afternoon light was a real treat.
Sounds delightful! It’s such a beautiful area around there… And I’m hearing you on the camping/beach shlep, as wonderful as they are 🙂
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There’s nothing quite like a bed that feels like a gamble as to whether it will still have air in it come morning time 🙂 I do prefer the mattress, I must say. One day we will upgrade to a trailer and be comfortable campers.
This looks so nice and relaxing. I will be writing the name of this place down for sure!
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You’d love it.
That’s not far from our neck of the woods. We often go for weekend drives to Imbil, Kenilworth, Amamoor and Lake Borumba. Such a beautiful part of the world. If ever you get the chance there is the greatest campsite outside Kenilworth called Booloumba Creek. We love it there. Little secluded spots right on the creek. Lots of families. Just perfect. Your accommodation looks so lovely. x
OH! We could have caught up. That campsite sounds excellent. Will definitely check it out.
This looks perfect. I need to find one only a couple hours away from Sydney. Brisbane is a bit too far away. What a relaxing spot.
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It was SO relaxing. There must be nice ones out near the Snowy Mountains?
I ADORE farm stays, especially since I grew up on one. It looks delightful! We’re off to Sunshine Coast next weekend and I can’t wait!
Have a great time – and hopefully an uneventful drive. I LOVE the sunny coast but I could not do the Bruce on a regular basis.
Hubster has relatives near Mackay; they live on a sugar cane farm, but also have another property where they graze cattle. And, there is an old farmhouse on the cattle farm, so that’s where we stay when we go to visit. We both love it! So peaceful, and the cattle are so friendly 🙂
Visiting from #teamIBOT x
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The cattle were cute (but the new mother cows were pretty clear that we weren’t to go anywhere near their babies!)
Oh this looks lovely Robyna. We’ve done a couple of farmstays in the past and the kids have really loved it. We’ll have to check this one out!
I loved it and can’t imagine anyone not doing so – was truly lovely.
This farm stay place looks so beautiful! and I was so excited as I scrolled down to see it is at Imbil. My sister is moving there to live next year, now I know where to stay when I want to visit 🙂
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Oh, you’ll absolutely love it.