The NSW farm stays that let you embrace country life in style

Sleeps: 2 people

Located just a 45-minute drive from Coolangatta Airport, this villa on a working cattle farm is a great option for a romantic weekend away. The ground floor is open-plan, with a lounge, dining area, full kitchen, study and bathroom. A set of winding stairs leads you to the lofted bedroom, where you can wake to views over the farm, framed by the wood window.

After settling in and enjoying dinner al fresco, unwind with a soak in the cast-iron, claw-foot tub on the deck as you watch the sun dip lower into the hills. Our tip? Book mid-week or for a week or more to secure a significant discount. The home has everything you need to stay awhile, including a washer and dryer, and the study, which can be used as a dedicated workspace.

Location: Wilsons Creek, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 8 hours

Sleeps: 8 people

Your family will no doubt make lifelong memories at this four-bedroom cottage, set on a 0.4-hectare property just a 10-minute drive from Blue Mountains National Park. Spend quality time together over meals on the wrap-around verandah, or roast marshmallows around the fire pit under a canopy of stars.

When you’re ready for some alone time, duck away from the group to unwind in the vintage clawfoot tub. The home also features an indoor fireplace, a farmhouse kitchen and – a real treat on frosty winter mornings – heated floors in the master bedroom.

Location: Kurrajong Heights, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 90 minutes

Sleeps: 6 people

Cancel the kennel, and bring your pup along to this Airbnb Guest Favourite in the Southern Highlands. It’s 90 minutes from Sydney and Canberera, and an hour from the Blue Mountains, set on a working cattle farm.

With three bedrooms and two bathrooms, there’s plenty of room for the whole crew, and your pet can wander freely within the safety of a fenced yard. Spend your stay curled up in front of the wood-burning pot-belly fireplace, prepping meals on the outdoor barbecue, or strolling to one of the many scenic picnic spots with a spread.

Location: Wingecarribee Shire Council, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 90 minutes

Sleeps: 6 people

The highlight of this three-bedroom farm stay is undoubtedly its mineral infinity pool, though the wood fire, freestanding tub, and neighbouring hobby farm — complete with miniature horses, chooks and ducks — are equally strong contenders. Also popular among guests is that it’s pet-friendly, meaning their dogs can join their getaway.

Perched atop 10 hectares, the estate offers a unique blend of managed land and wild beauty; the owners maintain two hectares, while the remainder is protected native rainforest. When you’re ready to explore, you’re just 10 minutes from Milton Village and a 15-minute drive from the surf at Mollymook Beach.

Location: Little Forest, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 3 hours

Sleeps: 12 people

Accommodating 12 guests across five bedrooms, this Mutton Falls estate would work for an extended family, several families or a group of friends. Each bedroom has its own private bathroom, ensuring a level of comfort rarely found in shared stays. The grounds offer several distinct spaces for gathering, including an established garden, a large entertaining deck with an outdoor bath and a dedicated fire pit for evenings under the stars.

The restored historic homestead is on nearly half a hectare of country gardens, perched above the Fish River. From its elevated vantage point, the home offers views of Evans Crown.

Location: Tarana, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 2 hour, 30 minutes

Sleeps: 4 people

Gemini said

If you want the feel of camping without actually sleeping outside, this two-bedroom cabin — a 20-minute drive from Blue Mountains National Park — delivers exactly that. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a skylight will make you feel surrounded by forest while you’re indoors.

The cabin sits on a secluded 10-hectare area of the owner’s property and has its own private driveway. It’s also well-equipped for an outdoor-focused stay, featuring a wood-fired pizza oven, a fire pit and a wood-fired hot tub that’ll be preheated before your stay, so you can skip the wait and get straight to soaking.

Location: Megalong Valley, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 2 hours

Sleeps: 6 people

The Riverside Homestead is a single-level residence on The Hatch Farm, an off-grid, riverfront working farm just 12 minutes from Port Macquarie. The homestead is perched on a flood mound, providing an elevated vantage point with views across the paddocks and the river.

There is plenty to do on the property, including fishing and boating on the saltwater river. You’ll also get a real kick out of interacting with the friendly farm animals at the nursery next door. It is open daily, and inside you will find rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese. During the NSW school holidays, extra kid-friendly activities are on offer.

Location: Blackmans Point, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 4 hours

Sleeps: 2 people

Located on a 60-hectare farm in the Hunter Valley, this one-bedroom cabin’s a 25-minute drive from the region’s many vineyards. After a day spent exploring the local cellar doors, get back home to cook dinner and soak in the outdoor hot tub. The home’s one of the few in the area with a tub like it.

For those not drinking, the estate offers bushwalking, birdwatching and the chance to meet the resident horses. There’s no WiFi, but the lack of connectivity will make it easier to fully disconnect and unwind.

Location: Quorrobolong, NSW

Distance from Sydney: 1 hour, 45 minutes