Ever dreamt of fleeing the city and spending your days collecting eggs and baking bread in a farmhouse kitchen? You’re not alone. And while, for many of us, the cottagecore country existence is still just a pipe dream, holidays to the countryside are the next best thing. Over the past few years, farmstays and “agritourism” experiences in NSW have been on the up, with some of the state’s most lusted-after stays incorporating some kind of farm-style experience (everything from luxury farmstays to foraging workshops and fruit picking). In fact, new data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) has just confirmed that Regional NSW is Australia’s leading destination for visitors seeking agritourism experiences.
According to the data, 700,000 international visitors to NSW participated in agritourism experiences in 2024 alone, with participation in agritourism activities up. According to the data, visitors who engage with agritourism activities spend 9.1 per cent more per trip compared with people who don’t get their hands dirty (so to speak). Plus, visitor expenditure by agritourism-ready international tourists was up 22 per cent year on year. With so many magical farmstays, cellar doors, orchards and vineyards to explore in NSW, we don’t blame them. To help you kickstart your agritourism adventure, we’ve rounded up a few of our faves in the state.
Mushroom foraging in the Blue Mountains with Diego Bonetto
On Diego Bonetto’s immersive mushroom foraging tours, you’ll be taught all about the art of foraging and the fascinating world of fungi.
Luxury farmstays at Barranca Kangaroo Valley
At this magical eco-luxe farmstay, you can feed the farm animals before eating your own, locally-sourced breakfast hamper from an architecturally-designed cabin looking out across the rolling farmland. Set on a 1,000-acre property a few hours south of Sydney, Barranca Kangaroo Valley is agritourism in its most luxurious form.
Oyster shucking and more at Narooma Oyster Festival
This delightful foodie fest is a celebration of everyone’s favourite mollusc: the anything-but-humble oyster. Over two shucking fun days, you’ll get the chance to connect with oyster farmers, join oyster shucking masterclasses and, of course, knock a few back. At the 2023 event, 70,000 oysters were consumed over two days, and the festival has become the largest food and wine event in southern NSW.
Fruit picking and cherry pie making at Ballinaclash
At this charming, family-run vineyard and orchard, you can pick your own cherries then join a cherry pie making class before settling in for a wine tasting. Arrive hungry – the cherry ice-cream is the best you’ll ever taste.
Camel riding and goat cuddling at Silverton Outback Camels
This incredibly Australiana farmstay is home to an extensive family of adorable goats, sheep, piggies and ponies, whom you'll find happily lazing in the outback sunshine. The farm is also home to a group of camels, and guests can book in for a camel ride around the stunning outback
Picnics with alpacas at Bilpin Cider Company
At this cellar door and orchard in the Blue Mountains, you can eat a slice of freshly baked apple pie while the local alpacas graze in their paddock just steps from your table.
According to the NSW Government, things aren’t slowing down in the agritourism space, with more to come over the next few years and Destination NSW hosting a special AgriTourism Summit to help boost the industry and support emerging and established operators.
“Agritourism is key to future-proofing our regional visitor economies – drawing travellers to the four corners of the state, from the Northern Rivers to the Riverina, and Port Stephens to Parkes,” explained Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper.
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