The honest version
A real farm, a real stay — not a staged one.
Brookside is a working farm in the Adelaide Hills. The Dairy is the old dairy building turned two-bedroom stay: warm, simple and comfortable, with the paddocks right outside the fence.
You'll hear roosters before you hear an alarm. There's mud after rain and flies in the heat. The furniture is honest, not designer. If that sounds like home, it is — this is your farm to come back to.
If you're after a luxury lodge with room service and resort facilities, we're genuinely not it. We'd rather tell you now than have you arrive disappointed.
At a glance
- 2 bedrooms · 1 bathroom · sleeps 5
- Self check-in via key safe, any time
- Check-out 10am sharp
- 1-night minimum midweek, 2 nights Friday & Saturday
- Strictly no pets — farm biosecurity
- Quiet from 9pm. No parties, ever.
Read this before you book
What to expect — and what not to.
We'd rather you arrive knowing exactly what this place is. It's a working farm, not a hotel.
What to expect
Honest, unpolished charm
A converted dairy with comfortable, simple finishes. Gravel driveway, uneven ground, fences and livestock nearby. Bring sensible shoes.
Weather you don't control
Dry paddocks in summer, mud after rain, flies in the heat and cold nights in winter. The Dairy has a wood-burning heater and a full kitchen — not climate-controlled perfection.
Farm sounds, farm smells
You're on a working farm. Roosters, dogs, sheep and tractors, and neighbouring farms spreading fertiliser on their own schedule. Some days it's bird song, some days it's machinery.
What not to expect
No open fires in fire season
The outdoor fire pit is out of bounds on Total Fire Ban days declared by the SA Country Fire Service (generally November to April).
No parties or late noise
Quiet hours are 9pm–7am. This is a no-parties space, and loud groups will be asked to leave and may lose their bond.
No pets — ever
Strictly no pets due to farm biosecurity. This protects our livestock and paddocks.
No hotel service
No reception, room service, daily housekeeping or concierge. You self check-in with the key safe, cook in the kitchen, and reach us by phone if something's wrong.
The Brookside Dairy
Bugle Ranges, South Australia
Perched on a quiet hilltop overlooking Brookside Farm, this cozy converted dairy offers sweeping views, peaceful surroundings, and all the creature comforts you need for a relaxing rural escape. Wake up to golden sunrises over the rolling paddocks, and enjoy your morning coffee under the pergola while watching horses graze nearby. Inside, the two-bedroom home features plush queen beds, a fully equipped gourmet kitchen, wood-burning heater, outdoor dining area, and a combined bathroom/laundry with a shower, toilet, vanity, washing machine and dryer — ideal for families or friends. A travel cot and high chair are available on request. Please note: pets are not permitted due to strict farm biosecurity requirements.
Amenities
Rates
The honest price list
Per night, in AUD, for the whole Dairy.
Weeknights
$175 /night
Sunday – Thursday
Min 1 night
Weekends
$249 /night
Friday – Saturday
Min 2 nights
1-night minimum midweek, 2 nights Fri–Sat · Cleaning from $90 · Refundable security bond $250
Guest Reviews
Verified stays, real voices
“Such a peaceful farm stay. Erin was the loveliest host — she offered our family pony pats and a tractor ride, which was so thoughtful and fun for the kids. She was always very responsive, sorting out cleaning products and firewood, making it a very comfortable getaway for our family.”
— Anna · 2026-06-10
“Luke and Erin were wonderful hosts and we loved our stay in the Bugle Ranges! The property is lovely and we felt right at home. It was awesome to stay on the farm, surrounded by nature and the beautiful horses and farm animals. Luke was incredibly responsive and friendly, giving us great tips around the area. They also organised for the fire to be on for our arrival, making the house even more cosy! Highly recommend — a great experience in a really nice location in the Adelaide Hills near Hahndorf.”
— Josh · 2026-04-15
“A lovely place to stay — beautiful, comfortable and a pleasant stay for us and our two children. Lovely decor and view; the boys loved seeing the ponies and horse out the window each day. A great base for exploring Mt Barker and Strathalbyn.”
— Bek · 2026-08-15
“We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The Dairy is beautifully decorated and everything is spotless. A very peaceful and relaxing place for a few days R&R with great friends, good food, wine and a cozy fireplace.”
— Kerry · 2026-07-20
“Gorgeous cottage, warm and generous hosts, comfortable and chic with lovely farm views in a convenient spot for the Adelaide Hills. Welcomed with a beautiful real fire on arrival, with a lovely top-up of firewood mid-stay. Highly recommend Erin's beautiful and tranquil cottage!”
— Toni · 2026-07-02
“We can't recommend Brookside Dairy enough! From the moment we booked Erin was an amazing host. We arrived to the most beautiful house on top of the hill with an incredible view of the entire property — so peaceful. Our little boy loved helping feed the ponies breakfast and even got a ride in the tractor with Luke to feed the stallion. We can't wait to go back!”
— Locke · 2026-06-18
Rules & Policy
House Rules
Agreed at booking. Breaches may release deposit funds to cover damages.
Enquiries
Planning something else?
The calendar handles instant stays. For groups and longer retreats, tell us the dates and we'll come back to you personally.
No deposit, no obligation — this just starts a conversation.
Coming SoonA second hilltop retreat is taking shape on the property. We'll open bookings soon — watch this space.