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Fall in love with the Queensland Outback at Bonus Downs Farmstay. We offer an outback historical and accommodation experience. Accommodation in Historical Jackaroo's quarters or BYO Swag in the Shearers Shed. Caravans, Camping, RVs all welcome. Take one of our tours where we share the past of the magnificent Bonus Downs homestead and Jackaroo's Quarters, join in our activities or simply relax. Whatever your interest, there is something for everyone at Bonus Downs. Situated 630 kms west of Brisbane (about 7 hours drive) it offers good old fashioned country hospitality in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
4566 Mitchell-Bollon Road, Mitchell, Queensland 4465 Australia
Bonus Downs Farmstay
4.9 reviews
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Our stay at Bonus Downs was the highlight of our recent trip through Queensland. Madonna and Lyle are suburb hosts,they think of everything and go the extra mile to make your stay memorable. The Jackaroos Cottage is so comfortable with a full kitchen and everything you need and with a lovely cosy fire for cooler evenings. There is lots of history that they have documented about the station and station life over the years. The home cook evening meal was delicious as was the amazing lunch the following day. As farmers we enjoyed the Station tour to see the cattle and hearing from Lyle and Madonna how the Station is run and the issues they face. They are a very strong couple passionate and proud of the land they farm. We thoroughly recommend the tour of the beautifully restored Homestead with all its history. We only wish we had the time to have stayed longer on this great outback station. Thank you so much Madonna and Lyle and we hope to return sometime in the future. Wishing you all the best. Donald and Carol and Watt and Anthea
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 2 Sept 2018
We also enjoyed your visit with us and pleased you left with happy memories. Hopefully we will get to visit you in NZ one day
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My husband and I have just returned from a wonderful stay at the outback retreat of "Bonus Downs". Rob was very keen to do a fly-in visit and even though it was going to be a stifling 40+ we went. Madonna and Lyle Connolly are the most gracious and kind hosts and made our stay a very memorable one. There's no denying the heat in outback Queensland in February. It's despicable, dry heat but still dreadful. However, as our bedroom was air conditioned and we had a lovely time in the pool with a sunset drink the heat wasn't an issue. After cocktails, Madonna made us a fantastic dinner that we enjoyed on the classic Queenslander verandah. "Bonus Downs" is the real thing. Rob and I have stayed at many outback farmstays but this was the most authentic and the best. The cattle property is in full swing and it's wonderful to be included in the goings-on of the everyday life of "Bonus Downs". I'm sorry I've no photos of Mr Moo, the poddy, braman bull calf that roams the house paddock and loves a pat or Flossie the ball of energy that masquerades as a kelpie pup or Devil, the now retired "best working dog ever". Rob and I stayed in the jackaroo quarters. AC in the bedroom, clean, fresh and delightful furnishings. Madonna and Lyle kept us very well entertained with a stream of anecdotes and stories that competed the package. We look forward to a return visit when it's cool enough to sit at the huge log fire of their Smoke House. "Bonus Downs" is wonderful.
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Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 29 Sept 2017
You and Rob were a delight to look after and appreciate your lovely kind words and pleased you left with happy memories. Look forward to your return visit. It will soon be February again
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Bonus Downs is a truly unbelievable piece of living history. The Bonus Downs homestead has been lovingly restored by its owners Madonna and Lyle Connolly, who are incredibly passionate about this beautiful property. Their stories about how they restored the main home and Jackaroo quarters are truly inspirational. It is a real history lesson, learning about Bonus Downs's first settlers and also about the trials and tribulations that Madonna and Lyle, as the new settlers had to endure. We were lucky enough to find this beautiful Homestead/Farmstay many years ago and we instantly fell in love with it and also with Madonna and Lyle and we have returned many, many times. We love the fact that this is a working farm and we were lucky enough recently to witness them mustering their cattle and then weighing their wearers in readiness for sale. It was wonderful to see the relationship between them and their working dogs, they clearly have so much respect for their dogs and we were amazed to see how they work together as a team. We travel with our van and Bonus Downs caters perfectly for caravaners. They have the most amazing Smoke House with cooking facilities, they have hot showers and toilets. If you want to visit this farm and you don't have a van, Madonna has accommodation in the cottage. Every time we visit Bonus Downs we learn something new about this property and also about life in the bush.
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Date of stay: April 2016
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 5 June 2016
Thank you for your kind words and Lyle and I just love shairing our passion and knowldege of our beloved Bonus Downs and yes our animals are our lifeblood along with our wonderful working dogs who are loved and cared for by all. Old Devil has become a big hit with everyone of late since his retirment here. We so look forward to your retrun to Bonus Downs.
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Very hospitable hosts that have so much to share about the farms history and the difficulties faced by farmers , however , the owners poor treatment of their farm dogs , and info that dingoes/kangaroos on their property are shot with the dingo carcass hanging off the tree during our visit does not go well with comparable farms where sustainable farming practice is on display with an appreciation of the wildlife in the area which visitors can enjoy . That is what a successful farm in 2016 looks like with visitors keen to return .
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Date of stay: May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
If you are travelling north to Carnarvon Gorge or heading back south the Bonus Downs is well worth a one night or even a two night stopover. 46kms south of Mitchell. Camp 658 Bonus Downs is 33000 acre cattle property. The homestead and buildings were the main structures when the property was 300,000 plus acres. There are four powered sites behind the jackaroo quarters. The facilities are very good and clean. There are other accommodation options as detailed on the Bonus Downs web site. The smokehouse camp kitchen is excellent and a perfect place to relax. Madonna and Lyle are great hosts. They joined us for pre dinner drinks both nights and were generous with their time in talking about the history and current issues confronting Bonus Downs. We enjoyed one good long walk but otherwise chilled out after several days bush camping. Tip. If travelling north from St George there is an unsealed minor road ( Middle Road) approx 23 kms south of Mitchell that routes south west to link up with a minor sealed road heading north to Kincora. A good short cut. The unsealed section is approx 10/12kms and was in good condition when we used it. We travel with an off road camper trailer.
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Date of stay: May 2014
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:This is a station stay suitable for camper trailers,small/medium caravans
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had two nights with Madonna and Lyle staying in the Jackaroos cottage with our two kids. The kids loved kayaking in the dam, playing tennis, climbing the tree and we loved afternoon drinks by the fire in the smoke house and watching the amazing sunrises and sunsets. Bonus Downs was a great place to experience a real farm and we were given the best hospitality. We had dinners provided by Madonna and they were delicious. I was sad to leave and it was a highlight of our road trip!
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Date of stay: September 2019
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 8 Oct 2019
It was lovely having you to visit Bonus Downs and so pleased you enjoyed your time and were able to take away fond memories. Thank you for supporting the Outback
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The real deal! Great homestead with very comfortable accommodation and amenities. Kitchen well stocked with every utensil imaginable. Lots of history with interesting info given on guided tour Great campfire Warm friendly hosts.
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 8 Aug 2019
Thank you for your kind words and pleased you enjoyed your visit
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Madonna and Lyle, along with Stephen and Lee helping out, looked after 40 of our social group, the NSW Adventure Riders, for two nights in May. We had a great time! The food was delicious and plentiful, the Smoke House was perfect for a group dinner and a few drinks under the stars, Lyle took us for a good look around the station, and nothing we asked for was any trouble - not that we had to ask. Highly recommended for a group get together in the outback.
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Date of stay: May 2019
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes it does rain out there. Week before was 42 degrees and dusty but the three days we were there we had over 140mm of torrential rain. Didn’t matter at all!! We had camper trailers but we also had the use of the Smoke House (only place you can cook a camp oven dinner in the rain) and the Jackaroo Cottage kitchen. Thank you Madonna and Lyle for your hospitality and being such generous hosts. We may not have had the chance to see the rest of the property but that only means we’ll be back! Looking forward to sharing another wine with you both next time, you really know how to host a farm-stay. PS best showers!
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 1 Nov 2017
It was a pleasure having you visit Bonus Downs and share the jackeroo’s cottage Yes what a contrast heat and dust one week and beautiful rain the next and so pleased you will have to return to explore the property on your next to visit and have another wine.
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If you are looking for a peaceful place to experience and learn about the "West" then I doubt that you could find a better location. The Jackaroo Cottage is comfortable - rooms are for sleeping - no space for anything more but then lots and lots of open spaces surround the property. Beds are comfortable and each room opens on the verandah. Poddy caves roamed at will to the delight of the children. The toilet and shower block is a short walk from the cottage. There is a washing machine and a hair dryer! There are cooking facilities both within the courage and in the BBQ area. Don't forget to take some footwear that is readily donned and doffed. There are prickles waiting for bare feet.Plus of course sturdier footwear for general tramping. The ground is a bit dry and dusty to comfortably wear open sandals. nights are cool but comfortable.
The water tastes a bit dusty but is plentiful. It is after all Australia in a drought. A swimming pool and tennis courts, plus experiences like feeding cotton seed to cattle, walking through the Ooline forest, and riding motor bikes offers something for everyone. The night skies are wonderful and can be explored with a telescope. Take your own food or accept the gracious and generous catering of Madonna and Lyle.
Powered camp sites are available. No mobile reception. No wifi.
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Date of stay: September 2017
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from BonusDownsFarmstay, Owner at Bonus Downs Farmstay
Responded 3 Oct 2017
We just had 20 mls of rain the biggest fall in 14 months so am pleased to say the dust has been settled and what a difference it makes. Thank you for experiencing Bonusdowns
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There are more places to choose from in the Mitchell area.
LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandMitchell
NUMBER OF ROOMS
6
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect total costs of the stay, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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