Life at Woodvale
Experiences & Activities
There's no itinerary here. But if you want one, here's what the Gympie and Fraser Coast regions have to offer.
On the farm
Farm Life
Slow Mornings
Your farm breakfast basket arrives the morning of check-in. Eggs, fresh bread, cereal, milk (dairy), juice and whatever's in season in the garden. No alarm required. (Available for cottage bookings only). (Note: Image for illustrative purposes only, actual breakfast does not include all foods pictured.)
Unplug & Play
Leave the screens behind and settle in with a good book, a jigsaw puzzle, a deck of cards, or a board game. The cottage is stocked with a little collection of each — perfect for slow afternoons or cosy evenings in.
Watch the Cows Graze
There's something quietly restorative about watching cattle move slowly across a paddock. At Woodvale, the herd grazes the fields just beyond your cottage — and in summer, the calves are never far from their mothers. Watch from the deep soaking clawfoot bath in Ashwood Cottage, or settle into a chair on the veranda at Westwood Cottage. No effort required.
Sink Into the Tub
Both Ashwood Cottage and Westwood Cottage are fitted with deep, freestanding bathtubs — made for long, unhurried soaks. We leave homemade bath salts for you to use, so draw a hot bath, light a candle, and let the quiet of the farm do the rest. No schedule, no rush — just you and the stillness.
Stargazing
No light pollution. No distractions. Just the Milky Way arching over the hinterland.
Fire-side Evenings
Firewood is stacked and ready. Curl up on the couch, open a bottle, and let the evening take its time.
Beyond the gate
The Gympie & Fraser Coast Regions
Woodvale sits at the heart of one of Queensland's most underrated regions. Everything below is within easy reach.
Fraser Island (K'gari)
1.5 hrsThe world's largest sand island. Drive the beach, swim in the freshwater lakes, and watch the dingoes at dusk. Day trips or overnight stays available from Hervey Bay.
Tin Can Bay
45 minFeed wild Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins at Barnacles Café each morning. One of Queensland's most intimate wildlife encounters.
Mary Valley Rattler
35 minA heritage steam train winding through the lush Mary Valley. Hop on at Gympie for a journey through some of the region's most beautiful farmland.
Mary Valley
20–40 minOne of Queensland's most beautiful rural valleys, right on Woodvale's doorstep. Wind through Imbil, Kandanga, and Kenilworth — stopping at farm gates, artisan producers, and the Imbil Hotel for a cold one. The valley is at its best in the cooler months when the hills are green and the mist lingers in the mornings.
South Burnett Wineries
1 hrQueensland's premier wine region sits just an hour north of Woodvale. The South Burnett is home to over a dozen cellar doors — Clovely Estate, Barambah Ridge, and Crane Wines among the standouts. Spend a leisurely afternoon tasting shiraz and verdelho against a backdrop of rolling vineyard country. Best visited midweek when the cellar doors are quiet.
Gympie Gold Mining Museum
35 minGympie's gold rush saved Queensland from bankruptcy in 1867. The museum tells the story well, with original machinery and underground mine tours.
Noosa Hinterland
1 hrEumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Cooroy, Pomona, and the Noosa Everglades for those who want to keep exploring.
Sunshine Coast Beaches
1.5 hrsNoosa, Coolum, and Peregian are all within reach for a day at the beach. Head back to the farm for sunset.
Maryborough
1 hrQueensland's Heritage City and birthplace of P.L. Travers, the author of Mary Poppins. Stroll the beautifully preserved Victorian streetscapes, visit the Mary Poppins statue, and browse the weekend markets. A lovely half-day out.
Hervey Bay
1 hr 15 minThe whale watching capital of Australia. Between July and November, humpback whales rest in the calm bay waters on their migration north — an unforgettable experience. Year-round, the esplanade, beaches, and seafood restaurants make it a great day trip.
When to visit
Every season at Woodvale
April – August
Autumn & Winter
The best time to visit. Cool, clear days and cold nights perfect for the fireplace. The hinterland turns golden and the skies are impossibly clear.
September – November
Spring
Wildflowers along the trails, newborn animals in the paddocks, and warm days that don't yet tip into heat. The farm is at its most alive.
December – March
Summer
Warm and occasionally wet. Lush green paddocks, dramatic afternoon storms, and long evenings.