Escape To The Country
by Genevieve Morton

Pet the animals, walk in the wilderness, pick your own berries and enjoy colonial accommodation… Farmstays and day tours are popping up across the state, providing a fun weekend away for visitors and Hobartians keen to get their gumboots dirty. Here are four farms to visit this Spring.
Coal River Farm
Watch cheese and chocolate being made and pick your own fruit in the Coal River Farm orchard. Just a 15-minute drive from Hobart, this farm tour includes spectacular views over the Coal River Valley. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast (try farmhouse scones with salted caramel) and lunches inspired by the finest Tassie produce. Cheese and chocolate tastings are on offer all day, every day. Feed the goats, wrangle the pigs and wander the grounds. coalriverfarm.com.au
Curringa Farm Stay
Catch farm dogs at work, watch the sheep shearing and explore nearby forest trails at Curringa Farm Stay in Hamilton – about an hours drive from Hobart. Cottages are dotted through the bushland to provide unique bed and breakfast accommodation with water and mountain views. Close to Mt Field National Park and Russell Falls, the farm has an intensive conservation program and invites all visitors to learn about native plants, animals and habitats. curringafarm.com.au
Ratho Farm
Nestled in the highlands of Bothwell, Ratho Farm is home to Australia’s oldest golf course. Colonial farm buildings have lovingly been restored into boutique cottage accommodation with river views. Hand feed cows and sheep, check the chook house for eggs and watch the ducks along the riverbed. Ratho Farm is well known for spectacular sunsets and sunrises across idyllic Tassie countryside. rathofarm.com
28 Gates Luxury Farm Stay
This boutique farmstay in the Derwent Valley offers fly fishing, walks in the wilderness and feeding farm animals. As night falls, guests are invited on native ‘wildlife night’ tours to see Tasmanian wildlife. Guests are invited to explore this working sheep farm and learn about its rich history dating back to 1862.At the end of the day you can relax in a bathtub with a view of rolling paddocks. 28gatesfarmstay.com.au ■