In amongst the hills and the often not so gentle sounds of nature, sits our home – a sanctuary we’ve recently decided to share with the world through Airbnb.
This decision, like everything else we’ve done on our land, has a story, this one is of change and opening up what we treasure to the world. Until recently we shared our 40-acre property with Gary’s mum. Although we’d bought his parents a house in town, after his dad passed away, his mum didn’t like living alone so she moved out to a cottage on our property. But in August 2023 she too passed away at the grand age of 90.
At this point, we found ourselves living alone on 40 acres with 2 houses on it. We knew we never wanted to have a permanent tenant; I know for some that works well, but for us, it felt restrictive, so we decided to give short-term rental a try.
For years, this land has been our retreat, a place where we’ve cultivated not just gardens and cared for our animals, but nurtured our souls and healed our bodies. It’s a place where every sunrise is enjoyed and every sunset is different. Our home, with its rolling hills and hidden gullies, has been a private haven – until now.
The idea to open our home to guests came from a simple realization: Joy and beauty multiply when shared.
Although we are normally private people, we’ve always believed that our little piece of paradise wasn’t just meant for us. It’s a place of beauty, tranquillity, and inspiration that deserves to be experienced by those who appreciate the essence of nature and want to experience a little of the joy we feel living here permanently.
In the early days, we played with the idea of running a cooking school and offering guided tours of the farm and our animals, but most of all, we dreamt of running an animal sanctuary that people could visit and enjoy as they learned about and got to know the animals. But when Gary’s Mum moved in, that all came to a halt.
It created a very different dynamic having an elderly woman living here for 10 years and required a very different focus. It was what it was, with its ups and downs, and I’m not going to go into that stage of our lives, but now it’s time to go back to the original ideas and create the place we imagined.
Airbnb provided the perfect platform to extend our hospitality. It allowed us to connect with like-minded individuals, people who seek a respite from the hustle of the modern world, and who yearn for a taste of quiet, sustainable living.
Welcoming guests onto our property has been a heartwarming journey. Each visitor brings their story, their energy, and their appreciation for the simple, abundant life we’ve built. Whether they’re marveling at the vibrant colors of a lightning storm over the valley, bringing their children down to enjoy the fun and silly antics of our free-roaming chickens, braving a muddy cuddle from a pig fresh out of the wallow, or simply soaking in the tranquillity of the natural surroundings, their delight is a rewarding affirmation of our lifestyle.
I love having the opportunity to let others experience the heartfelt pleasure of gentle hand-raised pet pigs who want nothing more than to feed from their hands and have a belly rub. As far as our pigs are concerned, they are part of our family and demand to be treated accordingly. Sadly, pigs aren’t an animal people get to spend time with in our culture and I think they are missing out. A pig as a friend is an affectionate and gentle one who will be just as loyal and playful as your family dog given the chance.
The experience has been more fulfilling than we ever imagined. The conversations shared over a fence, the exchange of experiences and travels– it all feels so right, so in tune with our values and vision. I love chatting with guests from overseas who are in awe of the Australian countryside. I might be just a little biased, but I believe they are experiencing some of the best views on offer right there from the veranda!
Our guests leave with more than just memories; they leave with a piece of our world, a renewed appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of the natural beauty this place provides. And we, in turn, are enriched by their presence, their perspectives, and their shared joy.
In opening our home, we’ve realized that what we offer is more than just land and living spaces; it’s a storybook of life, a place where every guest adds a chapter, and every stay writes a verse of connection and understanding.
So, as we continue this journey of hospitality, we’re keen to see where this will take us but for now, it feels incredibly right. So we will continue to invite the world to partake in the beauty of our sanctuary, to find peace and joy in this corner of paradise, and to share in the life we’ve lovingly cultivated.
Until next time,
Lucy