Farm stay with horse riding
Host a few guests at a cottage on rural land you already have, with guided rides and farm activities.
- A$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small farm stay on land you own or lease. Guests stay in a cottage, converted shed or glamping tent. They join guided rides, feed animals and enjoy country hospitality.
Your first three steps
- Call your local council to ask what approval you need for tourist accommodation and guest activities on your land
- Get a quote for public liability insurance that covers guests riding and handling animals
- Set up one simple guest space, take good photos and list it on a farm stay or booking site
Who pays
City families, couples and small groups after a short rural break, plus school-holiday visitors and overseas travellers.
How it makes money
Nightly rate per cottage or per person, with extras like guided rides, breakfast hampers and farm activity packages.
Skills that help
- Confident, calm horse handling
- Hosting and customer service
- Basic cooking or catering
- Online bookings and photos
Watch out for
- Council planning or development approval for tourist accommodation, which varies by state and council
- Public liability insurance that specifically covers horse riding and farm activities
- Horse safety: suitable horses for beginners, helmets, waivers and your own riding instructor qualifications
- Bushfire, flood and access risks, plus rules on food service if you provide meals
- Quiet seasons and weather, so don't rely on this as your only income at first
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: farm stay with horse riding
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a farm stay with horse riding?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the accommodation you provide, safety gear, horses and facilities. This assumes you already have suitable rural land. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own property.
What approvals and insurance should I check for a farm stay?
Check council planning or development approval for tourist accommodation, which varies by state and council. Check public liability insurance that specifically covers horse riding and farm activities, plus food service rules if you provide meals.
How much can a farm stay earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many guests you host and your prices. Plan on at least about 15 hours a week. Quiet seasons and weather matter, so don't rely on it as your only income at first.
Other ways to run this business
Similar hospitality ideas
Small retreat centre in a leased lodge
Lease an existing lodge or guesthouse and host groups, courses and retreats without buying property.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Small boarding house with several rooms
Lease or own a larger house and rent its rooms to lodgers on weekly or monthly terms.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Holiday letting agency with a small town office
Open a small office in a holiday town and manage a portfolio of cabins and cottages for local owners.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile bar for events
Serve drinks from a converted trailer or van at weddings, parties and markets.
- A$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Mahjong club with its own space
Rent a small venue with tables and tea, and charge players per session or a monthly membership.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
One simple guest cabin on your property
Add a single small cabin to a spare corner of your property and rent it by the night as a side income.
- A$15k-60k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
Photo: ArtTower on Pixabay