Agritourism in Australia: From the Outback to Your Backyard
Hello farmers and future agri-entrepreneurs! 🌾 If you’re scratching your head wondering what agritourism actually means in the Aussie context, you’re not alone. Let’s dig into what agritourism is all about and look at some fantastic examples right here in our sunburnt country.
Defining Agritourism
Agritourism combines agriculture and tourism, where visitors come to experience farm life firsthand. It’s about offering an authentic, hands-on, and often educational experience. Think of it as giving city slickers a taste of the good ol’ country life. Examples of Aussie agritourism include:
Farm Stays and B&Bs
Farm stays are popular, providing guests with a cozy stay and a chance to experience daily farm activities.
Example: Stay at the charming Willow Farm in Berry, NSW, where guests can collect eggs, feed animals, and enjoy the peace and quiet of rural life. It’s a perfect way to show off the beauty of our farmlands and the serenity of country living.
You can now find many farmstays using platforms like AirBnB and more sophisticated distribution strategies as business owners realise the market interest in a country life.
Pick-Your-Own Farms
Visitors love the opportunity to pick their own fruits and veggies. It’s a fun, interactive way to connect with where their food comes from.
Example: At Rayner’s Orchard in Victoria, guests can pick their own peaches, nectarines, and plums. Plus, they get a behind-the-scenes look at how the farm operates. Fresh fruit never tasted so sweet!
This is a great way to reconnect with the great outdoors, spend the day in a new region, and then share produce when they get home to keep telling the farm's story with friends and family back home.
Farm Tours and Workshops
Educational tours and hands-on workshops are a hit, especially for families and school groups. These experiences teach visitors about farming practices, sustainability, and more.
Example: Take a tour at The Lavender Farm in Mount Tamborine, QLD. Guests can learn about lavender cultivation, distillation processes, and even make their own lavender products. It’s a fragrant day out that’s both fun and informative!
Agritourism in Australia is all about sharing the beauty, bounty, and hard work of farm life with visitors. It’s about giving them a slice of the rural pie, showing them the ropes, and leaving them with memories as rich as our soil.
Ready to open your gates to the world? Let’s get cracking!
Join Susan's network on Linked In where she writes about tourism trends, shares industry information and publishes articles. Many agritourism business growth strategies are covered in more detailed in Susan's book Booked Out! How to Start and Grow A Successful Regional Tourism Business.
