Fordsdale Farmstay

Our family loved our weekend here. We felt really looked after by Sue, who went over and above in her hospitality, including making sure we were super comfortable in our tents and well fed. We were off grid but did not feel lacking in any way- we are so glad we chose here to unplug. The horses were incredibly calm, well looked after and peaceful, and we also loved the goats. What a lovely time for us and especially the kids ❤

What an amazing experience. Did an overnight package with my 9 year old. Sue is a great and engaging host and we were very well looked after. Amazing horses and goats etc. Highly recommended if you’re after a proper ‘country’ experience.

I stayed for a 2 day horse riding package at Sue's - and had the most amazing time. Sue was a wonderful host (alongside her support team including Pete and Tip the dog!) with great communication before I arrived. I stayed in winter. The weather was beautiful (if a little chilly at night), the tents are very cosy though with everything you need, a roaring camp fire, fabulous food cooked by Sue (no idea how she rustled up such amazing meals so effortlessly) - all set in the most glorious scenery. This is very much 'off the beaten track' and off-grid, but that only added to the experience. I can ride and was looking for a riding holiday that wasn't simply a 'caravan' trail with horses who had lost all spirit... Sue's horses are top-notch. They are all extremely well cared-for, the fittest horses I have ridden in a long time and with a variety of characters. As Sue knows each horse so intimately she chose the perfect horses to ride for my ability, and I was able to experience several rides across a variety of terrain in the surrounding area. Sue is great company and very knowledgable about the area, wildlife - and of course the horses. All-in-all I would have no hesitation in recommending this riding holiday to anyone wanting to properly experience rural Australia on horseback. I'd love to go back one day.

Do yourself a favour
Go and stay here and enjoy the genuine experience of farm stay with the best host you could ever want. Sue will go above and beyond to ensure you are truly looked after like a family . She doesn’t treat you like a guest but her own family
The warmth , the genuine warmth and love was all there .
I couldn’t have asked for a better break with my wife, 2 kids and little puppy
The horses are stunning , huge and well trained . The camping wads awesome , the food was homely and always plenty .
I didn’t know how warm and loving Sue was . Next time I’ll take a bottle of red wine for Sue . You all need to do the same . Perfect holiday for your kids and family

We had a hens weekend horse riding adventure with Sue. Could not recommend it more, we all had a fantastic time and Sue was very accommodating. The horses were very calm and gentle and we had two very beginner riders (haven't ridden before). The food and accommodation is fantastic as well! Thank you for an amazing time Sue.

5 stars, Sue went above and beyond to ensure my granddaughter and i had an amazing experience trail riding on her beautiful property. Cant recommend Sue highly enough, such an experienced horse woman, her horses are wonderfully sound, calm and quiet.
Thanks Sue for your hospitality, certainly planning on going back

Christine and Amelia

While a quite a bit off the main roads, my partner and I were so glad to meet Sue for an intro to horse riding. Sue was motherly, enthusiastic, skilful and most impressively so well-informed on Queensland's farming industry and how animals farmed for edutainment purposes can also be treated with respect and dignity. Had great conversations while riding out in Wagners and learnt so much from our one road trip out away from the city. Thanks so much Sue!

Sue was amazing!! I got to ride Zaccas on the beautiful trail and through the creek. Amazing, refreshing exactly what the soul needed.

Tons of different color butterflies all along the trail :)

Tip the dog gives great cuddles and comes along on the trek too!

Highly recommend, the horses are loved and well looked after - all in great spirits.

Today we had the pleasure of riding with Sue and her horses. We had a great time! The horses are just beautiful, well cared for and very friendly. My 9 year old daughter loved it. We'll be back! Thanks again Sue.

Just returned from a two night trip to Fordsdale Farmstay and can’t recommend enough! The experience was great, and really good value. Sue’s horses are in fab condition, the trails are beautiful and the accommodation exceeded my expectations! Will definitely be back. Thanks Sue!

Very pretty small campsite with a view, a fantastic activity for the entire family if you’re staying in the area. We came in for a day of horse riding and really enjoyed first the beginner lesson and then the horseback trek around the valley. Fantastic views, the horses were well trained and Sue was really accommodating. All our camp mates envied us when we came back.

Sue
Fordsdale Farm Stay Adventure QLD
Wow! What a holiday!
Sue’s horse-riding adventure farm stay provided a fun and relaxing holiday in the country next to Ma Ma creek. Located on 1,000 acres in Fordsdale, it is an easy 1 ½ hours from Brisbane.
Our country adventure started with three small river crossings and an exciting 4WD climb up the mountain. At the end was a country oasis overlooking the luscious countryside surrounded by free roaming horses, cows, and goats. As inexperienced glampers we were thankful for the comfort provided in our spacious elevated glamping teepee tents with comfortable mattresses and cozy bedding.
Our days were full of enjoying the best of a horse-riding experience and country lifestyle with guided trail rides around the property and through the Ma Ma creek, adventure riding with Sue in the properties Ute to collect firewood and the option of short trips into the Ma Ma creek, Toowoomba, or the surrounding area.
The kids’ favorite part was the guided horse-riding. Simone (known as the queen of the paddock), Cricket and Poseidon became much loved companions. All with gentle natures, we felt at ease on our rides and enjoyed the adventure. While we were at the farm stay, we also met Zeus, the tiny, fluffy Shetland pony, with a big personality. He provided the animal petting component as the kids loved to stroke his main and give him lots of cuddles.
A holiday for mum too, Sue kindly provides all meals, easily catering to our gluten free family. Relaxing cheese platers were consumed in the late afternoon whilst watching the sun set over the horizon, enjoying the warmth and serenity of the campfire. The kids loved roasting marshmallows after dinner, on carefully gathered sticks from the surrounding lantana.
A supporter of the volunteer program, we were lucky to meet a young French back packer, who helped Sue tend to the animals, helped with the cleaning and played board games with the kids.
A holiday to remember and one that was both action-packed, yet relaxing. Thanks Sue and the Fordsdale farm-stay for a great getaway.

Written by Xavier, 8 and Maddie 6.

My daughter and I had the most amazing 2 days with the Parent-Child weekend - the whole thing was a dream come true for a horse mad 10 year old.
Sue is so hospitable, calm and capable and she made us feel really welcome while making sure saftey was paramount. The atmosphere of the camping setup was brilliant, every thing was thought of. If you like the idea of campig without any of the work that goes with it, this is brilliant. Ours days were filled with horses and our nights were filled with delicious food (and lots of it!) campfires, marshmallows and board games in the main tent. The tent was set up so nicely and included everything you could need to be comfortable.
The horses are loved and beautifully cared for and they were absolutely beautiful to ride. The country side is breathtaking, especially up on top of the hills looking down over the valley.
Sue was so flexible in making sure that our level of experience was catered for and she is so passionate about giving the kids the best time possible. My daugter really loved the extra time she was able to spend grooming and spening time with the horses in the evening after riding. (as they were in the horse yards right next to the tents)

We love to free camp and are self-sufficient and this place ticket the boxes. Sue went out of her way to come check on us in the morning after we setup late at night. Free wood to collect, awesome views. The kids had a great time while the grownups could have some fun times around the fire, the kids even got a little horse ride for free around the camp ground. We will be back for sure.

What a fabulous time we had! I was a last minute ring-in for accompanying a teen horse riding.
Seriously that was the last thing I ever wanted to do again,....BUT it was her birthday present, so I mustered up the courage. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed myself ! Sue, your expertise and calm invoked confidence in us we didn’t know we had. The scenery, beauty and serenity of the farm was breathtaking. Your horses were a pleasure to ride and had such lovely natures, perfect for us non-riders. So this young teen and I are planning out next visit. Thank you and see you again soon!

Came here to shoot a short film and was in awe of the incredibly inspiring landscape, also the boulder routes were really fun. Not to mention the absolutely incredible host Sue, who made our stay an absolute pleasure and the super friendly resident dog Tip!

Great camping, kids loved the horse ride and the animals about the place. Hosts were very helpful, provided maps of the property which I used to take a mountain bike ride. All in all a fantastic Easter weekend and nice and cheap accommodation.

Beautiful spot in between 2 ancient cliffs
Friendly horses. We only camped... No horse ride, but this spot will be a regular for us to getaway from the city from now on

great place to take the dog and get away from the city! best in a 4wd
not a hard drive at all, but low cars might struggle

Sue was an amazing host. Very blissful experience.