Farm stay in a spare room or cottage

Couples and families from nearby cities, touring travellers, and international visitors wanting a rural experience.

Nightly rate per room or cottage, often with a small extra charge for breakfast, picnic hampers or a guided farm walk.

• Friendly, welcoming host
• Keeping rooms clean and tidy
• Basic online booking and photos
• Good local knowledge

• Council planning and zoning rules for short-term accommodation on rural land, which differ by state and council and may require approval before you trade
• If you serve breakfast or other food, check with your council about food business registration and food safety requirements
• Public liability insurance that covers guests on a working farm, and whether your farm policy needs changing
• Safety around machinery, livestock, dams and chemicals, including clear rules for children
• Bushfire, flood and access risks, and what to do if guests are affected
• Income tax and GST rules for accommodation, check with your accountant or the ATO

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $10,000, depending on how much preparation your spare room or cottage needs, plus linen, photos, signage and insurance changes. Treat this as an estimate and get your own quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on your nightly rate, how often you host, the season and whether you include breakfast. This is revenue, not profit. Plan for at least about 6 hours a week.

Check council planning and zoning rules for short-term accommodation on rural land, as approval may be needed first. Also check food business registration if you serve breakfast, public liability cover for guests, farm safety, bushfire and flood risks, and tax and GST.