Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
The listings of booking offers for each property take into account the compensation paid to us by our partners. Prices shown may be for varying room types. Prices displayed are the lowest available, corresponding to the least expensive room type available, as provided from our partners as of the time of the user’s search.
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
We were greeted by Trudy & her two adorable Jack Russells. 3 days 2 nights stay with two families. Although there were eight of us, the house we stayed in could fit twelve. It was clean. Kitchen was well equipped with dishwasher, induction stove and all other essentials. Laundry has washing machine and dryer. We had to drive 30 minutes to the nearest decently stocked supermarket to buy our groceries. At Macka's, we enjoyed Trudy's hospitality, milked a cow, fed the alpacas, spied on a litter of kittens, swung on a rope, entered the chicken enclosure, , had BBQ-ed dinner with the gas BBQ provided and the kids played with the dogs Andy and Jack half the time spent there. We had free access to the animals anytime of the day. It was super fun!
Read more
Date of stay: November 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Macka's Farm is in a super location, very near the 12 Apostles and a quick drive to the nearby town of Timboon. The rooms are clean, kitchen well stocked with good range of pots/pans/cutlery. The animals in the farm were many cows, 2 cats & their kittens, a few alpacas, a few chooks, a few goats. Although we only got to milk the cows, feed the alpacas and collect hens' eggs, the very friendly Trudy made our stay very welcoming.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
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 were two families - four adults and two toddlers. We stayed in Lodge 3, which has one master bedroom (ensuite) with queen bed and sofa, another bedroom with queen bed, and a kid's room with double decker beds (this was locked up as we didn't need it). There was a large communal bathroom, a dining area that leads into a sitting area (with TV/DVD player and a cosy fireplace), a roomy kitchen, and verandah. There were books to read and no wifi. The fireplace had a gate, so children can play in front of it quite safely.
The rooms were comfortable, we had no issues with the mattress. Sheets and blankets were provided but no duvet. There was a small radiator in the master bedroom but not in the other rooms. Both beds had electric blankets. We stayed in the master bedroom. The ensuite shower stall was a bit small, with a non detachable shower head, making it harder to shower our toddler especially when it was cold. The separate cubicle for the WC was great, and was the sink and counter in the bedroom proper. Towels are provided, but not toiletries. Also, this is rustic accommodation, so while everything is more than adequate, none of it is cutting edge modern or five star hotel standard. This is a farm stay. Also, be aware that there's no housekeeping provided, so there's complete privacy.
There was a well stocked kitchen with oven, microwave, kettle, toaster, electric 4-ring stove, dishwasher, and washing machine. There was plenty of crockery, cutlery and kitchen equipment. As typical of self-catered kitchens, the knives were dull. The outdoor BBQ was electric, not gas or charcoal, so was a slight disappointment for us. However, our chief BBQer did a great job and we had wonderful meats off the barbie.
Trudi, the lady of the house, welcomed us in and was very helpful, providing good advice for all our questions. She was fairly easy to find on the compound at most hours of the day. She was also very gracious about me burning some food in the oven and causing a mess, and suggested using lemon to clear out the smell.
Wake up early to have a tour of the farm. It's a working dairy farm, so you get to see what things are really like. Trudi does a great job of entertaining the tourists and keeping us safely out of the way. She was very informative and took us for a comprehensive tour - we were in the big barn with the chicks, rabbits, kittens, lambs, kids and foals. The barn has huge bales of hay, some stacked high so we could climb to the top. Trudi also took us outside to show us the chickens, alpacas and pigs. The kids got to feed the lambs some milk and were very excited about it.
I found the prices reasonable, though we found that accommodation was significantly more expensive here than in the centre of Melbourne. Nonetheless, there are many costs involved in running a farm. Trudy was telling us that they are considering selling the farm as it doesn't seem worthwhile in the long term. Too much hard work for too little money.
We got our groceries in Geelong, and our meat and perishables from a butcher in Timboon. The 12 Apostles is a 5 minute drive away, so it's a great base to explore the Great Ocean Road. Try to spend at least one morning on the farm if you have young kids. They will be thrilled. Otherwise, adults only need about an hour at most to experience it all.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2015
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
Stayed here for 2 nights as a reward for our 3 kids (all under 4) after forcing them down to cold and rainy Melbourne for a work trip. We've stayed at farm stays before and have grown up around farms.
It was just after school holidays had finished so maybe they were a bit over it but we weren't made to feel that welcome - especially after talking it up so much to the kids. Arrived at the farm about 3pm with no signs of life - no note at reception except for a mobile number to call- tried calling several times over 30 minutes with no answer so decided to head into town to get some groceries. Forget Princetown (only a "convenience store") then travelled another 20 minutes to Port Campbell - had a supermarket but not much variety and was expensive. You're better off stocking up on groceries in Melbourne or en route. At least there was a good playground for the kids there.
When we got back Macka and his wife were still not back but they did answer their phone this time (amd told us to let ourselves in to Lodge 2) and arrived after about 10 minutes - after a brief introduction Macka disappeared (something to do with a milk audit) and this was pretty much the last time we saw him. His wife was pleasant and showed the kids around and they helped feed the lambs milk, pat the baby chicks, play with the dogs and feed the rabbits. The shed was good especially with the wet weather which was the main reason we chose this farmstay above others. Don't worry about gumboots - there's plenty to use at the farm. Morning feeding round was fun with kids (with macka's wife) but we were never given the opportunity to watch the cows get milked/rounded up - which I understand is not always possible with working farms - but certainly nothing like other reviews it gets. There was no-one around for the afternoon feed on the 2nd night. By the morning feed on our last morning - again no-one around so we went and eventually found Macka who gave us bottles of milk to give the lambs and then left us to our own devices. I ended up explaining to the kids myself how everything worked with the milking/etc.
On the pros - nice view from the self-contained room with fireplace which was definitely needed for us. There was a microwave, hotplate and fridge to cook your food (don't bring anything requiring an oven)
Overall, I booked this place over others based on (1) covered barn - something to consider with the temperamental weather (2) reviews of friendly service/multiple activities - something we did not experience to the full. No fresh milk, only 1 egg (3) location - you can't beat being so close to the 12 apostles and only 2.5 hours from Melbourne
Maybe we just got Macka on a bad day(s)/milk audit but certainly wasn't the experience we were hoping for (especially like other farm stays like Taunton Hill over in WA)
Read more
Date of stay: July 2012Trip type: Travelled with family
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've stayed at Macka's Farm three times now. The first time in lodge 1, which is closest to the barn and had a lovely verandah with awesome views. The second time we went, we took more grandparents and other adult family members with us and stayed in the farmhouse, which was spacious and had less flies buzzing about the doors as it is further from the barn. We were in lodge 2 on our most recent visit and although the views were great, we could hear the TV in lodge 3 and people on the verandah of lodge 1, so I wouldn't want lodge 2 again. As for the farm, it's a great way for people of all ages to see what farm life is really like. There have been plenty of kittens to play with at all 3 visits and if they're old enough and able to eat solids, Trudi and Macka might give you one to take home. If you'd like to have a go at milking a cow then let Macka know when he brings them up in the morning or afternoon and he'll happily choose a quiet cow for you to have a go. Depending on what time of the year you go, there is usually baby animals of some sort there. We recommend going in spring, particularly October, as there is sure to be lambs and calves that you can help bottle feed. Don't be disappointed if you go in the middle of winter and there are no eggs. Just because you can buy eggs from the shops all year round doesn't mean all chickens lay eggs all year round. Macka will give you a jug full of fresh unpasteurised and unhomogenised milk, which he will happily refill for you. It's delicious! As others have said, get your groceries in Melbourne or Geelong as there is not a lot of choice in Port Campbell. Lodges don't have an oven, but they do have a stove and microwave. There are some electric bbqs available at the lodges and a large gas bbq at the farmhouse, but we've only used the bbq at the farmhouse. There were too many flies near the lodges. Jack and Andy, the two cheeky dogs, are always about and if you go for a walk on the property, Andy is sure to accompany you. And there are go carts to ride on too! The only negative I have to say is that none of the beds we've slept in were comfortable, but you don't go to Macka's Farm for a luxurious bed, you go for the farm experience. We also decided to have baths on our last visit as we just couldn't get the water temp of the shower right.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Get a larger group together and book the farmhouse to help reduce your cost per person.
Lodge 1...
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.
A working dairy fam that offers self contained accommodation. Comfortable beds and a real fire that we learnt to start and keep going on our own. The highlight was the interaction with the animals. Morning and evening rounds to hunt for eggs, bottle feed the newly born calves and sheep, carrots for the rabbits, sugar and hay for the ponies. The two resident dogs Jack and Andy were constant companions. Andy with his ever present ball was always ready for a game. The pigs, the Llama, the barn cats, all made the experience a fascinating one for kids and adults alike. Watching the cows come home in the evenings and having a go at milking them was an experience of a lifetime. A stone's throw away from the 12 apostles, Port campbell and other attractions, it was a very convenient and interesting place to stay in while discovering the area.
Read more
Date of stay: June 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
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 spent 4 nights Macka's farm and it was a one of the best Victorian experience. The lodge was very clean and comfortable and it had a well equipped kitchen. The bbq facilities provided was great too. But do remember to buy your groceries from Colac or Geelong as the nearest town Port Campbell has limited range of groceries. my kids had fun playing with the dogs and animals at the farm and the Tarzan rope swing at the farm. The location is very ideal for visiting the 12 apostles on the great ocean roads well as cape otway.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
I was a little apprehensive about booking a farm stay initially as I have never stayed in the countryside before. However this farms tay experience turned out to be really quite pleasant. The farm was very well maintained and the animals and pets (lovely dogs and cats) were all very friendly. The dogs kept by Macka and Trudy were very well-trained to stay outside of visitors' houses, though you may find them sitting at the door waiting for a good pat or a good game of ball catching with you, haha. Since it's a farm, one cannot avoid some smell of husbandry floating into the windows, but it is really very minimal if any, except when it rained. In addition there were many flies and insects especially since we went near summer. However, they can be mostly kept out by the window screens if one is careful enough as advised by Trudy.
I stayed in one of the larger lodges, lodge 3. The rooms were very spacious and well maintained with high level of cleanliness. Really nothing much to complain seeing that the lodging and farm are run by mainly just the old couple. Do look out for a couple of spider webs here and there though that is really not much of a problem. The fresh air and nice get-away from the bustle of the city really makes up for all of it, not to mention the very beautiful Great Ocean Road and the proximity of the farm to the Twelve Apostles and all its sights which are absolutely stunning.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2017
Value
Rooms
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
The pros: - it's location: about 10 minutes drive to the 12 Apostles - great fun for the kids with activities such as milking the cows, seeing how a dairy farm operates, the chickens and their eggs, rope swing in the barn - the farm owners who are entirely helpful and the lady tells many witty stories
The cons: - some might find it a tad expensive since the cost does not include breakfast.
We stayed at the farmhouse which accommodated our family of 13 which I thought was value for money!
Read more
Date of stay: June 2014
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.
Our kids absolutely loved this farm. They had free access to the barn and the animals. They played with the dogs and cats, fed the calves and milked the cows. They hunted for eggs and petted the bunnies. It was a wonderful experience for them and tears flowed when they had to leave!
Read more
Date of stay: August 2010
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
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.
I am afraid I cannot answer both questions. Rate will fluctuate with offpeak and peak periods. We paid about AUD 600 for two night's stay. Availability have to check their website too. They have a website where u do the booking.
"Get a larger group together and book the farmhouse to help reduce your cost per person.
Lodge 1 is the best of the lodges as it has a great verandah for capturing sunset shots and views of the ocean. It's also closer to the barn!"
There are more places to choose from in the Princetown area.
LOCATION
AustraliaVictoriaPrincetown
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
