Host Profile
My Property
Business Type
Farming methods
Short Property Description
Located in Macclesfield, Vic, Royal Meadows Farm is conveniently located between the Dandenong Ranges and the Yarra Valley and is surrounded by rolling hills, farms and natural bushland. An easy and scenic drive to delightful towns such as Olinda, Sassafras, Gembrook, Yarra Glen, Warburton and Healesville, Royal Meadows is the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful part of Victoria.
The main activity on our 20 acre farm is the Royal Meadows Equestrian Centre where we agist and train horses. The horses are managed according to equi-central and land regenerative principles. We grow our own hay for the horses and all manure is composted and used either in the veggie gardens or spread on the fields to help replenish the soil. In addition to the horses we also run a number other farming activities – namely breeding a small flock of Suffolk sheep, growing a small orchard, vegetable gardens and raising bees. Careful management of cross grazing different livestock means deep-rooted, healthy pastures, which also leads to rich organic material for gardens and trees.
Royal Meadows is built on principles of sustainable living, regenerative agriculture, self-sufficiency and equi-centric horse training. The property is powered by off-grid solar electricity and sustained with the help of captured rainwater. Bush areas have been reserved for native wildlife and as such Kookaburras, rosellas, blue wrens and cockatoos are common and the property is also home to wombats. Don’t be surprised if you also see kangaroos, soaring wedge tailed eagles and the occasional echidna.
The accommodation consists of a cosy two-room wing of the house which has both private and shared entrances, a bedroom, private bathroom and lounge area with small kitchenette.
The Stay
Why I became a WWOOF Host
Life on the farm is the best way to live, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy and of course there’s no end of things to be done. An extra pair of hands can go along way in helping to not only get the basic chores done, but also nurture the land that supports us. I enjoy sharing my farm with like-minded people and meeting travellers from all around the world. Also, through the years I’ve acquired a fair amount of knowledge regarding off grid, sustainable living, horse training and small farm management and like to share that knowledge with others.
