This was published 11 years ago
Schottlanders Wagyu Farm, Gerringong reivew: Farm living takes the cake
Home on the range ... the view from Schottlanders Wagyu Farm.Credit: Ruth Duncan
Ruth Duncan finds a spacious family getaway on a beef cattle property, where creatures great and small have room to move.
When we arrived at the farm after the drive from Sydney, we opened the door to the aroma of a freshly baked lemon cheesecake. Unpacking could wait. It was cake time.
We watched the cows saunter across the paddock as we indulged in the delicious treat and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. After taking in the views from inside, we set off for a walk around the 93-hectare, working beef cattle property.
Great food and fast service ... the farmhouse in Gerringong.Credit: Ruth Duncan
With an active younger son, it was the perfect place to stay - there was plenty of room for running around in fenced-off safety while we introduced him to the cows, goats and chooks.
Our young boys enjoyed the farm tour in which our host, Gerhardt, explained all the equipment and the processes involved in looking after 160 wagyu beef cattle.
The boys collected eggs from the free-range chooks and scrambled around the vegetable and herb garden. They were allowed to sit on the tractors and our younger son hooted with delight as the gears changed. The wagyu beef cattle were impressive up close, too
Our younger son hooted with delight as the gears changed.
There are plenty of activities for the young ones - we walked with Gerhardt's wife, Maria, to the rainforest on the property, a patch of paradise where you can sit and read or walk and enjoy the beauty. There is a safe road through the property, so bike riding is another option.
While staying at Schottlanders, we ventured to the nearby town of Berry to enjoy a wonderful dinner at the Hungry Duck restaurant, one of Berry's fine-dining establishments.
This is a modern Asian restaurant that uses produce from the area, including wagyu beef from our farm-stay hosts at Schottlanders. We enjoyed great food and super-fast service on a busy Saturday night.
We stayed in the four-bedroom country cottage, which sleeps up to eight people. There is a parents' retreat or reading room, and a beautifully furnished lounge with bay window, perfect for curling up with a book on a wet afternoon. Enormous kitchen windows gave a spectacular view over the farm and towards the coast in the distance.
Plenty of extra blankets, games, books, puzzles, two TVs, a DVD player, stereo and CD player are provided. There is a barbecue outside on the back verandah.
A shaded front verandah overlooks a well-maintained garden and the farm paddocks.
Five minutes' drive from Schottlanders is the town of Gerringong - home to village markets, fine dining and casual restaurants and cafes. Zoobs pizzas were a hit with our family.
Further afield, Jamberoo Action Park, Seven Mile Beach and Crooked River winery are within easy drives for some non-farm entertainment. Also worth visiting are the Boolarng Nangamai Aboriginal Art and Culture Studio as well as the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial and Lookout.
Trip notes
Where Schottlanders Wagyu Farm, 96 Rose Valley Road, Gerringong, NSW. (02) 4234 4833, 0408 245 212, mariakazimierabaden@gmail.com, schottlanderwagyu.com.
Getting there Schottlanders Wagyu Farm is about one hour, 45 minutes south of Sydney. Take the Princes Highway south and, as you approach Gerringong, there is a right-hand turn and sign marked Rose Valley Road. Then drive one kilometre along it.
Style statement Comfortable country with an understated neutral colour theme.
Perfect for Families and couples.
Don't forget Ingredients for a cook-up as the kitchen is fully equipped with all the latest gadgets.
Kudos Warm, freshly baked cake on the dining-room table on arrival.
A shame about No curtains or blinds on the kitchen window. We would have liked a little more privacy first thing in the morning.
Take the kids Definitely.
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