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In partnership with Brookhampton Road Farm
Nestled in the heart of Western Australia’s Southwest, Brookhampton Road Farm offers an idyllic retreat into the authentic rhythms of rural life.
This 72-acre working cattle farm, surrounded by lush orchards and beautiful bushland, provides guests with a serene escape just two hours south of Perth. Whether savouring fresh produce, exploring nearby wineries, or simply unwinding by the fire, each farm stay is a unique opportunity to connect with the land and experience authentic farm life.
Proprietors Andrew and Abbey have created a welcoming retreat with a thoughtfully restored farmhouse where agriculture and tourism blend seamlessly into an enriching getaway. We sat down with them to learn more.
Wander: We imagine the farmhouse’s secluded location helps guests unwind and disconnect from their daily routines. Can you describe the area for those who haven’t been?
Andrew and Abbey: The Farmhouse is nestled in the fruit-growing region of Western Australia’s Southwest on the outskirts of a small town called Kirup. It’s a region known for quality produce and an authentic country lifestyle. Driving from Perth, the busy traffic and suburban developments fade away to lush pastures, towering forests, and fruit-filled orchards.
The farm itself is a 72-acre working cattle farm. It is also home to our 3-year-old border collie Arlo, some sheep, and two guardian alpacas, Ringo and Roberto. The animals care for the land around the farmhouse, keeping the grasses down and enjoying the spare fruit in the summer months.
As you arrive, the gravel driveway leads you through the plum and pear orchard towards the farmhouse. The house is perched on top of a valley, looking across the terraced dams that run through the middle of the farm. The dams bring an endless amount of entertainment, watching the cattle cool off in the summer months, or the swans raise their cygnets on the shoreline.
A stay at the farmhouse provides guests with a hyper-local experience in an otherwise inaccessible setting, showcasing the beauty of a slow, country lifestyle.
Can you share the story behind the restoration of the 1940s fruit pickers’ rest?
Originally, the house was home to the seasonal employees who picked the fruits from the orchard. It provided the rest they needed from the long days they worked during the harsh Australian summers.
As different owners passed on stewardship of the farm, the land use changed from commercial orchard, to livestock, to a family home.
The restoration of the house started with the previous owner of the farm, an incredibly creative man who saw potential in the farm’s dilapidated backpackers’ accommodation. He began structural restoration of the house in 2016, and his vision continued to guide us when we purchased the farm and took over the renovations in 2021.
The renovated house now celebrates the stories of its past—the salvaged sash windows look out over the orchard, and the lights above the dining room table are the old working lights from the fruit packing shed. It has become a rest once again, albeit with modern amenities like air conditioning and a wraparound verandah.
What does a typical day look like for a guest staying at the Farmhouse?
We’d love to tell you what a typical day looks like, but if we’re being honest, every day at the farm is different! Some days look like wine by the fire, listening to the rain on the tin roof, or a warm bath in the cast iron clawfoot tub. Other days are spent exploring the farm, sharing fruit with the animals, or enjoying the nearby wineries and restaurants.
The beauty of a farm stay at Brookhampton Road Farm is that the day can be as busy or as slow as you’d like. Throughout the years we spent renovating the farmhouse, we documented our favourite experiences, and the most rewarding part of this journey has been sharing them with our guests.
How do you ensure guests have an authentic farm stay experience while maintaining their comfort?
Balancing the modern amenities guests expect with an authentic farm stay experience has been front of mind throughout the renovation journey.
If the farm has taught us anything, it’s that natural cycles cannot be changed or avoided. In summer, the grasses will brown, the days will be warm, and the farm’s off-grid elements will be tested. Winter brings abundance but also mud, storms, and the need for somewhere dry and warm.
With that in mind, we have tried to create a space where guests can spectate the ebbs and flows of the farm outside. In the summer, the modern cooling system takes the edge off the warm days, and in the winter, the renovated kitchen is great for a hearty meal.
In this way, the house has once again become a resting place for the farm. Guests can experience the authentic nuances of farm life, knowing the house is nearby to provide what is familiar.
What kind of culinary experiences can guests expect at the Farmhouse?
Visitors to the Southwest are spoilt for choice when it comes to culinary experiences. The farm is a short drive to world-renowned wine regions and is surrounded by farmers who are more than willing to share their produce and expertise.
One of our favourite weekend activities is driving to the “honesty boxes” scattered around our community to purchase seasonal produce. Here you’ll find local delicacies like marron (freshwater lobster), pastured eggs, bread, fruit and vegetables, preserves and more.
For a particularly special occasion, a local chef prepared a four-course meal for guests using produce from within 100 kilometres of the farm, enjoyed in the farmhouse kitchen. This style of cooking is fresh and exciting and goes a long way toward supporting our community.
How do you manage biosecurity obligations on a working farm while accommodating guests?
The animals always come first at the Brookhampton Road Farm. They care for the land in ways we cannot, and in return, we give them the best life we possibly can.
The first and most important part of our biosecurity obligation is respecting where the animals live and making sure guests understand what is expected. For example, when the cattle are calving, it’s important to afford them the space they need to minimize stress and the introduction of viruses, bacteria, or parasites.
Visitors can also unknowingly bring weeds or pest seed to farmland from their vehicles. The roadways on the farm have been constructed so guest vehicles only access the farmhouse to reduce this risk.
Australia takes its biosecurity obligations very seriously, so we ask guests to be conscious and respectful of their presence.
What are some challenges in running a farm stay business?
Rural living means resources are scarce. It’s far easier to find a team of cleaners in the city or have a handyman repair services if they live nearby. Being secluded, while beautiful in its isolation, means we have had to provide many of the ancillary services you’d expect a typical short-stay accommodation provider to contract out.
The benefit of this, however, is that we can spend time cleaning the house to our expectations, stock the welcome basket with our favourite local produce, and give the guests an incredibly personalized experience. Hosting isn’t a passive source of income for us—it’s something we thoroughly enjoy and we’re thankful every time a guest trusts us with their time.
What is the most rewarding part of hosting guests at Brookhampton Road Farm?
When guests visit the farm, they aren’t just supporting our family business—they’re breathing life into a small country town. Seeing their impact on our community is incredibly rewarding, and our hope is that they leave with a deeper appreciation for rural life, agriculture, and the beauty of Western Australia’s countryside.
Your Turn
Plan your luxury farm stay at Brookhampton Road Farm with up to six guests. Children and pets welcome!
