Bunjil Farm Review, Macedon Ranges

There’s something special about an escape to the country. And at Bunjil Farm, it’s as rural as it gets. It’s a secluded retreat where you can hear the distant sing-song of birds in the old gum trees and the crunch of sunburned grass beneath your feet. Here it’s all about fresh country air and wide open space. Ah the serenity…

Perfectly positioned in the foothills of the Macedon Ranges, Bunjil Farm is just an hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD and only ten minutes away from the charming town of Kyneton. On the farm, you can experience old style country living at its best; it’s home to over a dozen buildings, all dating from the later half of the 19th century. Accommodation options are plentiful – ranging from a bed and breakfast style country farmhouse to a rustic mid-1800s settler’s hut. There’s also an old coach house, blacksmith’s shop and old stables on the property. The property also doubles as a hemp farm, where they research, grow and process hemp, under licence.

In respect of the Indigenous people from the Kulin nation, the farm was named after “Bunjil” who was the creator of the earth including the mountains, lakes and associated flora and fauna. Local man Bruce Gleeson is the former owner of the property and had a unique passion for anything from the 1800s. All the buildings on the property have been rescued from their original site and are now at home on Bunjil Farm. This reinforces their dedication to sustainability and their aim to reuse and recycle whenever possible.

Follow Shepherds Hill Road out of Kyneton, and you’ll soon find the entrance to this secret hideaway. On the way, we passed old authentic farm buildings, paddocks,  a country-style garden and even a pond laden with lilies. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the owner, Lyn and her sidekick Eddie, the Jack Russell,  and given a tour of the farm and our very own settler’s hut for the evening.

The 1850s slab-built settler’s hut has been beautifully appointed, retaining its historic features with some modern facilities for some extra comfort.  There’s a small kitchen and a cosy lounge with sofas and a leather arm-chair, perfect for reading a book with a glass of wine. We visited in the height of summer, so it was a little too warm for the open wood fire, but I can imagine how cosy it would become in the middle of winter. A comfortable bedroom houses a double bed and leads into the ensuite.

If you’re looking to watch tv in the evening you’ve come to the wrong place. But this just adds to the charm of the place. Rest assured, there’s plenty of activities to keep you busy like reading, board games or just some star-gazing.

I fell in love with the 19th century style bathroom at first sight. The shower still has a historic hand pump and shower-curtain rail fitted, so you’ll feel like a true pioneer. But don’t worry the bathroom is equipped with modern plumbing, so you’ll enjoy plenty of hot water and nice water pressure.

Venture to the nearby paddocks and visit the resident chooks, ducks, horses, sheep and alpacas on the property. Wildlife lovers can try to spot the visiting blue wrens, robin red breasts, rosellas, kangaroos and kookaburras. If you’re really lucky, you may even spot a wedge tailed eagle!

Enjoy a barbeque outside in the evening. But don’t forget to bring a torch, there’s no street lights to speak of here! But the stars have never looked so close and bright.

My favourite thing was waking up in the morning and having a continental style breakfast in the paddock outside, with a freshly brewed coffee. What could be more perfect than this?

  

Bunjil Farm is the perfect place to kick back and recharge the batteries. My only regret was not staying longer! But at least it gives me a good excuse to come back again. Next time I’ll pack some marshmallows for the wood fire!

While visiting, make sure you stop by the historic town of Kyneton which is home to a plethora of charming antique shops, restaurants and cafes.

Bunjil Farm

A Kyneton-Springhill Road, Springhill, 3444 Kyneton, Australia
T 0408 515 811
W bunjilfarm.com.au