FARMER STAYS
STORY BY MITCH CATLIN | IMAGES BY KIRSTY FISHER & KYRA BOYER
Eliza Sanby was relaxing on the banks of the Georgina River in the remote town of Camooweal on the Queensland and Northern Territory border when a new business idea popped into her head.
The family ended up in Camooweal after their 4WD had broken down for the third time in Queensland and the family had to stay in the tiny town for a couple of weeks until the new car parts arrived. It was fate. She had been travelling around Australia with her hubby and one year old after quitting her corporate career in Interior design in construction industry.
Her hubby, a musician and teacher, went and got some temporary outdoor work for the two weeks, while she researched the idea of a tourism business to promote and support farmers and their wonderful properties.
After eventually arriving in Broome and working at a university for a year, Farmer Stays was fine-tuned and launched. It was largely influenced by Eliza’s childhood where her weekends were spent at the family farm at Raymonde, in north-west Victoria. The family would plant trees as wind breaks and to provide habitat for local wildlife, pick and prune the pinot noir vines and roam the paddocks with sheep and cattle for endless hours.
“Food, wine and good company were always in abundance at the farm. My grandmother made whipping up a wholesome farm fresh lunch with homemade desserts for 30 plus people look so easy,” she explains.
Eliza, who now calls Moreton Bay home, wants Australians, and visitors to Australia, to reconnect and care for nature and the Aussie environment. Whether it’s through an educational farm tour, discovering what produce is in season or meeting the incredible people behind it all, it’s clear passion and purpose is the focus of this unique business.
Farmer Stays is a specialist online travel platform connecting guests from around the world with a curated collection of over 100 high quality farms, vineyard and station stays across Australia.
The business opened for public bookings in late July 2023 with four farmers.
Today, Farmer Stays has properties for a unique Aussie experience available in all states and territories.
“We believe farm stays offer more than just a place to stay. They create connection, support rural communities, and invite guests to experience the beauty and rhythm of life on the land,” she said.
