Saddle up for farm stay fun in Central Queensland

Country hospitality, whip cracking lessons, horse rides and animal feeding are just some of the highlights of an authentic farm stay holiday in Central Queensland.

With five farm stays to choose from within easy reach of Gladstone and Rockhampton airports, visitors to the region can experience rural life without having to drive for hours.

Glassford Creek Farmstay is a beautiful Outback retreat situated on a 4,000 acre working cattle property just 45 minutes from the Bruce Highway near Gladstone (also known as the Pacific Coast Touring Route). Everything at Glassford Creek is ‘hands-on’ so once visitors enter the gate they can get involved in just about everything that happens on the property. Enjoy a worker’s lunch in the smoko shed, saddle up for a ride, milk cows, check water troughs and fences, and feast on camp-oven roast dinners by the fire. www.glassfordcreekfarmstay.com.au

Promising to leave you ‘stiff, sore and dirty, but happy’, Peter and Olive Eather have been running the authentic Myella Farmstay since 1993. Great horse and motorbike riding, 4WD farm tours, home cooking, campfires, and feeding animals are just some of the activities on offer at this property, situated an hours’ drive inland from Gladstone. www.myella.com

Sleep in a swag under the stars on an overnight camp-out tour with Kroombit Tourist Park at Lochenbar Station. Situated on a 10,000 acre working cattle station 35km from Biloela, Kroombit Tourist Park runs two-day horse trail rides and also has a range of activities on offer for guests staying onsite in bush cabins, powered camping sites or upmarket ensuite cabins. Learn to crack a whip, try your hand at a lasso or clay-trap shooting (no live animals), get involved with horseriding and mustering, try to outlast the bell on the “mechanical bucking bull” in the licensed camp restaurant and bar, laze by the swimming pool, or enjoy one of the many nature walks around the station. www.kroombit.com.au

Situated 100km south of Gladstone, the Kolan River Pioneer Retreat is an easily accessible property set in peaceful bush surrounds. Farmstay guests enjoy a range of onsite activities such as cattle feeding, fishing, bushwalking, rope work, horse rides, picture framing, axe carving and guided tours. The property also runs many day trips to local pubs, beaches, rainforests and wineries. Accommodation is in one of two bush cabins, or there are also un-powered bush camp sites available with amenities. Ph: (07) 4156 7592.

Henderson Park is a working cattle property with 1,200 head of cattle just 30 minutes drive north of Rockhampton. Stay in luxurious self-contained cabins set on the banks of beautiful Hedlow Creek which is ideal for fishing, bird watching, canoeing, or a cool swim on a hot Central Queensland afternoon. www.hendersonpark.com.au

For more information on the Central Queensland region visit www.capricornholidays.com.au or www.gladstoneregion.info