Summary:
Embrace moments of peace and quiet at Starry Night Farmstay, a Farm Stay NSW escape near the tranquil, rural town of Forbes, there is more to this heritage town in the beautiful Lachlan Valley than meets the eye. See the town’s changing face, from colonial gold rush times and notorious bushrangers to modern-day serenity.

Enjoy stunning views of the Lachlan river from our tiny house, and spend quality time with your loved ones amidst New South Wales' beautiful riverbanks and parks.

The Space:
Starry Night Farmstay is located on a farm with views of vast, green paddocks, serene river banks, and a shed that has space for a car to be garaged. Situated 10 minutes from the main town of Forbes and an hour’s drive to the nearby towns of Cowra and Orange, River Views allows you to explore the cultural and natural region of NSW with access to places such as Cowra Japanese Gardens, Cook Park, and Lachlan River.

It's a comfortable, 155-square-foot tiny home with well-furnished guest rooms, wide public spaces, and comfortable seating areas. Complete with easy access to water, split air conditioning, a kitchenette, cooking equipment, and excellent bathroom facilities. The bathroom, however, follows ecologically sustainable principles, including an eco-friendly cassette toilet with a removable waste holding tank, hand basin, and shower (gas heated for hot showers).

If you plan to spend your farm stay NSW escape here, we advise that you bring your basic necessities, such as food and water during your stay with us.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please advise that we have a veranda that has no railings, CHILDREN MUST BE SUPERVISED at all times.

Guest Access:
Guests will have access to the tiny house, the river which is a 500 meter walk away, and the driveway. Guests will also have access to a three-adult outdoor hydrotherapy spa near the main house. The hay shed is restricted to guest access.

Grapes are ripe around the end of January 2024 and oranges right now Dec 2023. Guests are welcome to pick for their own consumption. If you're interested we also have pre-orders and amenities listed below, accessible to guests:

- Spa tub available to use for $10 per hour
- Firewood is available for an extra cost of $5 per kilo
- Recovery Ice Bath Tub is available for $5 per single use.
- Extra Farm Fresh Eggs available for guests to collect if they wish
- We have coffee and tea bags along with fresh milk, as well as crystal clear rainwater to drink. Thank you.

The Neighborhood:
Starry Night Farmstay is just a 10 minute drive from the rural town of Forbes, and an hour’s drive from the town of Cowra and Orange. Learn about Wiradjuri culture, and Forbes’ interesting heritage, mesmerizing public art and breathtaking natural landscapes. From museums and sculpture trails, heritage walks and nature reserves, gold rush history and a brush with bushrangers, to incredible architecture, unique boutiques and local growers and producers.

Our local recommendations:

Sightseeing

- Lachlan River is the perfect place for recreation of all kinds as you explore its various lakes and outdoor hotspots including water skiing, fishing, canoeing, swimming, camping and much more.
- Cowra Japanese Gardens is 12.5 acres of peace and beauty. The largest Japanese garden in the southern hemisphere and home of Japanese culture in Australia.
- Cook Park is a self-guided heritage walk at the town of Orange, home to duck ponds, swings (for kids), an aviary featuring predominantly native birdlife (for bird watchers) and seasonal flora all year long.
-Lake Forbes is a tranquil watercourse right through the heart of Forbes, surrounded by a 10km walking & cycling track.


Food Scene

- Club Forbes Bar and Grill has a rich history, proudly serving the people of Forbes, NSW for over a century.
- Forbes Country Bakehouse is a family-owned bakery in Forbes, home to the freshest and the most delicious baked goodies in town.
- Grazing Down the Lachlan is this multi-award winning foodie adventure set alongside the picturesque Lachlan River and celebrates produce native to the Central West NSW region, prepared by local restaurateurs and caterers.

Festival

- Forbes Flatland Hang Gliding Championship 2024
- Parkes Elvis Festival held every year in the second week in January, coinciding with Elvis Presley's birthday, the 2024 Festival will be held 10-14 January and will celebrate its 31st year.
- The Amazing Forbes Street Breakfast has become a Friday morning favourite for Elvis-goers. 12th Jan 2024
- Frost and Fire is all about celebrating the Winter Solstice. 15th June 2024
- Grazing Down the Lachlan returns to Forbes NSW. 14th Sep 2024
- Taste On Templar Along Templar Street patrons will feast on the delights of a three-course dinner, local and regional wines, boutique beer, cider, soft drinks and water. 02nd Nov 2024

Getting Around:
By car:

- From Melbourne, it takes 7 hrs 33 mins. (703 kms)
- From Sydney, it takes 4 hrs 58 mins. (380 kms)
- From Canberra, it takes 3 hrs 11 mins. (275 kms)

By public transport:

- Public transport by bus and train is available from Sydney and Melbourne.
- Taxi service is available as the property is 7 kms from town center of Forbes.

Other Things to Note:
- Wifi is not available
- Satellite NBN available to use
- No smoking allowed on the property
- No unregistered guests or visitors are allowed
- Please expect free-roaming animals and noise during your stay with us
- Pets are not allowed on beds and sofas, and clean after your pet’s droppings
- Don’t forget to close the windows and lock doors when leaving the tiny house/ property
- Make sure to turn off the lights, air conditioning, and electronics (e.g., especially chargers)
- Mobile reception is good for Telstra; Signal for Optus, Vodafone, 2degrees and Spark is weak
- Please clean up after your pet’s shedding before checking out in courtesy of other guests
- We would like to advise guests that longer stays or later check-outs will incur an additional charge
- Must disclose the breed of dog and we have the right to refuse certain breeds of dogs on property
- Please note that this is a PET-FRIENDLY property, however certain breeds are restricted such as hunting dogs as sheep and neighbors will be on property

Snake safety guidelines

- We ask guests to follow these safety guidelines to prevent snake bites
- Avoid walking through tall grass or grasslands as snakes are abundant in the area
- We recommend wearing long loose pants and close-toed shoes such as boots and sneakers when roaming around the property

Farm guidelines

- Always remember to shut the gates before entering and leaving the paddocks
- Please do not enter animal paddocks or yards without the land host's permission
- We also ask guests not to feed farm animals as they are on specific diets for their health

Important note:

- Guests are advised to wear appropriate clothing during snake season
- Due to the nature of the property, abundant wildlife may be present on the property
- Keep in mind that BBQ grills and outdoor fire pits are not available during a total fire ban
- In order to maintain the cleanliness and functionality of our cassette toilets a minimum additional cleaning fee is applied for stays of 5 nights or more. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring a hygienic experience during your stay.

Interaction with Guests:
Guests will enjoy your own private space but we are always happy to chat with you.