At Chestnut Brae, our charming little blue farmstay has quite a story to share. Long before it became a peaceful country retreat for visitors, it was the working dairy at the heart of a pioneering farming community. Cows were milked here each morning, milk was stored in a purpose-built ice-room, and generations of farming families worked the surrounding land.
Today, the cows have gone, the milking stalls have found a new purpose, and the old dairy has been lovingly transformed into a comfortable country retreat. Yet many reminders of its working past remain.
We love sharing this history with our guests because staying here is about more than enjoying a beautiful place in the country. It is about experiencing a little piece of Western Australia’s rural heritage.
Chestnut Brae sits on Noongar Country, with a European farming history that dates back to the Group Settlement period of the 1920s.
During this time, families were encouraged to settle and establish dairy farms in the South West. They were given what was famously described as ‘a cow and an axe’, with the enormous task of clearing land, building homes and creating a livelihood from the bush.
What is now our farmstay kitchen was originally the dairy. Each morning, cattle were brought in from the yards just outside, between the deck and the old willow tree, to be milked where guests now prepare their meals and enjoy their morning coffee.
It is rather special to think that the same space that once echoed with the sounds of cows and the daily routine of dairy farming is now filled with the sounds of visitors enjoying a country escape.
There are still some fascinating reminders of the building’s original purpose.
Behind the farmstay kitchen is a solid, square room that is always kept locked. This is the original ice-room, where milk was chilled and stored before modern refrigeration existed.
Its thick concrete walls and remarkably heavy door – nearly half a metre thick – helped keep the temperature low and the milk fresh.
If you look west up the hill, you will also notice the wide concrete steps framed by timber arches. These once led to the original farmhouse.
In 1975, a fire swept through the property, destroying both the farmhouse and the dairy. When the buildings were reconstructed, parts of the original dairy survived, including the milking stalls and ice-room. These were incorporated into the rebuilt farmhouse, allowing a little of the property’s history to remain.
In 1978, a Scottish farmer and his friends purchased the property with a very different vision for its future.
They planted more than 1,000 chestnut trees, extended the farmhouse and built the shearing shed. Their ambition was to help establish a chestnut industry in Western Australia.
The name Chestnut Brae was chosen, with Brae being a Scottish word meaning hillside – a fitting name for a property surrounded by rolling hills and chestnut orchards.
Over the following decades, the farm developed its own identity, shaped by chestnut production, experimentation with biodynamic farming and a passion for discovering new ways to use this remarkable nut.
When we arrived at Chestnut Brae in 2013, we saw an opportunity to build on the property’s history while taking its farming practices in a new direction.
Rather than simply selling our chestnuts into wholesale markets, we began developing a range of products that would make the most of the harvest.
Chestnuts became flour, chutneys, sauces, liqueur and even chestnut ale. Smaller and medium-sized nuts were peeled and frozen for Christmas cooking, while chestnut peelings became feed for our sheep.
We also introduced heritage pigs fed on chestnuts, inspired by the famous chestnut- and acorn-fed pork traditions of Europe. Our first six pigs produced pork that Perth chefs described as some of the best they had tasted.
Our farming philosophy grew beyond food production. Chestnut blossom honey, made by bees visiting the chestnut flowers, and natural skincare using chestnut extracts and chestnut-fed pork lard became further expressions of our approach to making the most of what the farm produces.
Today, regenerative farming remains central to Chestnut Brae. Our aim is to care for the soil, encourage biodiversity, work with natural cycles and minimise waste wherever possible.
In 2016, we built a new farmhouse for our family and decided it was time to give the old building a new lease on life.
Rather than demolish the old dairy, we chose to preserve its character and transform it into a welcoming farmstay. It was a wonderful opportunity to retain an important part of the farm’s history while creating somewhere special for visitors to experience country life.
The old milking area became part of the living and kitchen space, while the building was adapted to provide comfortable accommodation.
Today, guests from around Australia and overseas can enjoy staying in this historic building, surrounded by the peaceful countryside of Chestnut Brae.
It is a lovely example of how an old building can be given a new purpose without losing the stories that make it special.
It has a relaxed country feel, with room for families or couples to enjoy a little time away from busy everyday life.
The accommodation is arranged over two levels.
Downstairs
A queen bedroom for a comfortable night’s sleep.
A separate bedroom with bunk beds, ideal for children or additional guests.
A spacious bathroom.
A kitchen and main living area where guests can relax, prepare meals and enjoy time together. This is up a couple of stairs.
Upstairs
– A further queen bed, reached by a characterful spiral staircase.
The upstairs sleeping area is a lovely feature of the cottage, but it is worth knowing that the spiral staircase is not suitable for everyone. For families with young children, the upstairs area can sometimes be fenced off when it is not needed, helping to keep little ones safe.
Absolutely! Chestnut Brae is a lovely place for families wanting to introduce children to country life.
There is something special about waking up on a farm, seeing the animals, exploring the orchard and discovering where food comes from.
The separate bunk bedroom provides a dedicated sleeping space for children, while the upstairs queen bed offers another sleeping option for adults or older children.
A few things families should know:
The spiral staircase requires care and supervision.
Young children should not have unsupervised access to the upstairs area and need to be cautious around the fireplace.
The upstairs area can be fenced off when not required.
As this is a working farm, children should be supervised outdoors and around animals, farm equipment and water.
We encourage families to enjoy the farm at a relaxed pace and make the most of the opportunity to explore nature together.
We want visitors to know what to expect before arriving so they can make an informed decision about whether the accommodation will suit their needs.
Chestnut Brae is a rural property, and the old dairy has some features that reflect its original construction.
Here are a few important things to consider.
The driveway
The driveway leading to the farmstay is gravel. It is generally suitable for ordinary vehicles, but visitors should drive slowly, particularly after rain. The driveway near the cottage is sloped, but you can park at the bottom of the slope to have a more even run to the farmstay.
Steps and entry
There are single and double steps through the main living area. These are part of the building’s original layout and mean that the farmstay is not step-free.
Bathroom
The bathroom is spacious, providing plenty of room to move around. However, it has not been designed or certified as an accessible bathroom, so guests with specific mobility needs should contact us before booking to discuss their requirements.
Bedrooms and staircase
The downstairs bedrooms are more easily reached than the upstairs sleeping area. Access to the upstairs queen bed is via a spiral staircase, which is narrow and requires reasonable balance and mobility.
Wheelchair access
The accommodation is not wheelchair accessible due to the steps and internal layout.
We are always happy to answer questions and provide further information to help guests decide whether the cottage is suitable for them.
One of the joys of staying at Chestnut Brae is that you are not simply booking accommodation – you are staying on a farm with a story that continues to evolve.
Depending on the season, you can:
Wander through our beautiful chestnut orchard.
Discover our unusual Mediterranean-style garden.
Meet some of our farm animals.
Enjoy the peace and changing colours of the countryside.
Learn about regenerative and organic farming.
Discover how chestnuts are transformed into delicious farm products.
Join one of our farm tours, subject to availability.
There is plenty to discover, whether you enjoy gardening, food, farming, photography, nature or simply finding a quiet place to relax.
Is the farmstay a separate cottage?
Yes. The old dairy has been transformed into a self-contained accommodation space, giving guests their own place to relax and enjoy the farm surroundings. There is only one farm stay, so you book the whole cottage and have it to yourself.
How many bedrooms are there?
There are two sleeping rooms downstairs – one with a queen bed and one with bunk beds – plus an additional queen bed upstairs, accessed via the spiral staircase.
Can we bring young children?
Yes. Families are welcome. The upstairs sleeping area can be fenced off when not required, but children should always be supervised around the staircase and throughout the farm.
Is the accommodation suitable for elderly visitors?
It depends on individual mobility. The steps through the living area and the spiral staircase may present difficulties for some guests. Please contact us before booking so we can discuss your needs.
Is the driveway sealed?
No. The driveway is gravel, so please take care, particularly in wet weather. Rain storms can wash away the gravel making it uneven in areas.
Can we cook our own meals?
Yes, the farmstay has a kitchen for guests to prepare their own meals.
Is there much to do in the surrounding area?
Yes! Nannup, the Blackwood River, beautiful forest walks, local food producers and many other South West attractions are within easy driving distance.
Can we visit the farm as well as stay?
Guests can enjoy the farm surroundings, with organised tours and other experiences available subject to seasonal conditions and availability.
From its beginnings as a humble dairy in the 1920s to its transformation into a welcoming farmstay, this little building has witnessed almost a century of change.
It has been part of a pioneering farming community, survived a devastating fire, seen the arrival of more than a thousand chestnut trees and now welcomes visitors from around the world.
We feel privileged to have been able to give the old dairy a new purpose rather than lose it to history.
When you stay at Chestnut Brae, you become part of that continuing story.
Come and enjoy a slower pace of life, breathe in the fresh country air, discover the orchard, meet the animals and experience the simple pleasure of being surrounded by nature.
We look forward to welcoming you to our little piece of history at Chestnut Brae.
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