Farm day to farmstay: How to spend the day (and night) at Paradise Country

Thinking about a getaway from your complex, busy life where you’re perpetually operating at 130%? While the vibrant Gold Coast may not be the first destination that comes to mind for those looking for a taste of the simple life, we’ll let you in on a little secret.

As you make your way through Theme Park City, take the road less travelled past the bright lights towards the hinterland. Once you spot lush green paddocks and hear the sweet sound of the farmyard, you'll know you’ve hit Old McDonald paradise (otherwise known as Paradise Country).

Here’s how to get around this farm-inspired theme park that’s suited to all animal lovers, from toddlers to grandparents and everyone in between.

Early bird | Catch the worm plus feed the animals

Start your Paradise Country visit when the doors open at 9:30am and head to the Farmyard Nursery first to see jumping kids, snuffly piglets and the softest of lambs. You can watch the baby animals dig into their breakfast or you can feed them yourselves. You may be lucky enough to hold one of the guinea pigs, too. 

Explore the Farmyard Play Paddock and meet the rest of the farm animals like the cows, llamas, goats, ducks, chickens and sheep. Before you move on, capture the moment or just rest up in the old fire truck. 

Once you’ve had your fill of farm animals, head to the Wildlife Walkthrough where you'll be able to mingle with Queensland's unique fauna. Don’t forget to pick up some roo food as you go through the Wildlife Photo Centre - the relaxed wallabies and kangaroos will thank you, and you'll make plenty of sweet furry friends. In the Walkthrough area, you’ll also be able to spot emus, wombats, Tasmanian devils and come fact to face with lots of sleeping (or eating) koalas. 

Koala fans would be devastated to leave Paradise Country without a special visit to see Australia’s Cutest Koala Joey competition winner, Tallow. She’s not a joey any more, but she’s the one with the winner’s sash on display.

She's not the only cute koala joey around, though. Paradise Country is part of a koala breeding program with other animal sanctuaries around Australia. They play a big role in the future of the koala species which is so critical to ensure these famous locals are around for a long time to come.

Wondering how to tell the kangaroos apart? The Paradise Country team run a nail salon and pick a different colour for their pouched pals.

Mid-morning | Learn a thing or two about Australiana

There’s plenty of dinky-di performances on offer from 10:30am. The fun starts at the Shearing Shed with the classic Sheep Shearing and Ram Parade. By the end of the show, you’ll know your Merinos from your Suffolks, and a few Aussie jokes as well. 

Next, head to the Stock Horse Arena around the campfire for some yarns, Billy Tea and warm damper before you witness an Australian Stock Horse take on a quad bike. 

The final show before lunch is Shaun’s own Aussie Adventure Show. Bitzer the dog and Shaun the Sheep invite a couple of locals on stage and entertain the crowds with their usual banter. 

Lunch | Pit stop and refresh

The smallest (although somehow loudest) people in your group will appreciate a break in between the shows and animal encounters. Grab some grub from the Farmhouse Restaurant or Cafe and make the most of the shady grounds near the Pig’s Playground. If you decide to stick around in the Farmhouse for lunch, make sure you meet the Marmoset monkeys. They’re surprisingly small and inquisitive and worth a sticky beak.

Once the wipes are out after lunch, cool off at Shaun’s Scraps and Taps, a splash play area. For a more restful kind of break, you can get crafty or take five in a bean bag at Shaun’s Adventure Camp (right next door to the Dingo’s Den).

When the energy levels are back to hyped, it’s time to get back on the horse (or rather, pony). Kids three years and over will delight in the serene ride around a picturesque green paddock. Tip: you'll save a bit of time if you grab your ticket as you enter Paradise Country.

Afternoon | Go walkabout

Around 1:30 pm, keep your eyes peeled for the Wildlife Walkabout Presentations, where you could get up close with koalas, snakes, cockatoos or one of the dingoes, and learn a bit about what makes them so special. There are VIP animal encounters available if you want to get to know them even more.

Save your legs and jump on Shaun’s Tractor Ride around the property, and finish up with some gold panning or opal mining. 

Farm day to farmstay

If you know you’re going to struggle to leave all the animals behind at 4pm, make it an overnight adventure and book an Eco Tent (stylish safari tent-style accommodation with ensuite rooms for couples and families) or space for your own tent, camper or caravan at Paradise Country’s onsite Farmstay.

You’ll get to live out a childhood dream. You know, the one where you’d been left to stay overnight in a toy shop. Only this time, it’s a theme park full of the cutest Australian animals and farm regulars. 

After the park shuts for day guests, you’ll feel like a VIP with extra access to squeeze in one last chat with a koala or feed the hungry kangaroo that followed you around earlier in the day. 

Head to the Farmhouse Restaurant for some lawn games, or sit back and watch the sunset blaze over the hill while the team prepares a la carte homestyle meals for dinner. 

Just like a real farmstay, the Paradise Country team prepares a fire for marshmallow roasting. Don’t forget to look up and take in the stars, the farm animal noises and the general country hospitality that envelops you and reminds you to appreciate the simple moments in life. 

In the morning, join the sunrise farm tour where you’ll get hands-on and help with the egg collecting, animal feeding as well as milking the cows. 

For an extra-special experience, break bread (and eucalyptus leaves) at the Koala Breakfast on weekends. You’ll eat a hefty hot breakfast while the koalas chow down their juicy leaves. It’s a real memory-maker where you’ll learn about these Australian favourites from the exclusive education session from the wildlife team.

During the day, it’s great to be able to sneak back to your on-site accommodation for a break when you need it. If you’ve got a Village Roadshow Locals One Pass, head over to Wet’n’Wild for an afternoon dip, or unleash your adrenaline levels at Movie World on a ride or two. Being within five minutes of these adventure havens is the perfect balance for an unforgettable family escape.

After more true blue Australiana? Here's our guide to Aussie World, or five authentic farm experiences to discover near Brisbane.

Note: This post was written based on the full Paradise Country and Paradise Country Farmstay experience. Due to the current environment, some experiences and encounters may vary slightly. For the most up to date information, please visit Paradise Country's website.