Guest ranch with cabins and trail rides

Families, groups of friends, corporate retreats and tourists wanting an outback or bush experience, often booking a few nights or a week.

Per-night or all-inclusive package rates covering accommodation, meals and riding, plus group bookings, school-holiday programs and add-ons.

• Horse care and riding instruction
• Running a hospitality business
• Catering and managing staff
• Marketing and bookings
• General property maintenance

• Development approval, building and fire safety requirements for guest accommodation, which differ by state and council
• Food business registration with your local council if you serve meals, and liquor licensing if you serve alcohol
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff, and working with children checks if you run kids' programs
• Public liability and property insurance that suits horse riding, plus careful animal welfare and rider safety
• Very high upfront costs: the startup range assumes you already own or lease suitable rural land, and buying a property would add substantially. Income is also seasonal, so check your cash flow for quiet months

Startup costs are typically around $400,000 to $1,800,000, depending on the number of cabins, horses and facilities. This range assumes you already own or lease suitable rural land. Buying a property would add substantially to the total.

Check development approval, building and fire safety requirements for guest accommodation. Also check food business registration if you serve meals, liquor licensing for alcohol, workers compensation when hiring, and working with children checks for kids' programs.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on cabin numbers, season and bookings. Plan on at least about 40 hours a week. Income is seasonal, so check your cash flow for quiet months.