Big River Retreat @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
Creating beautiful accommodation that celebrates life outdoors was a natural fit for Greg and Alison Cromwell, who share a passion for regenerating the land and have farming roots that go back many generations. With the help of their three daughters, the couple now manages 16 hectares – and four unique getaways – in the Byron Bay hinterland and Clarence Valley.
When guests are not relaxing in their thoughtfully appointed quarters, the working family farm offers a range of hands-on experiences, including picking produce and interacting with the animals, while all four properties are pet-friendly and encourage visitors to explore the stunning surrounds.
Little River Cottage @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
We chatted with the couple about the inspiration behind their northern NSW stays – from countryside to seaside – and how a focus on thoughtful, handcrafted touches has made each one an inviting home away from home.
Could you tell us about the origins of Cromwell Farms?
Alison: Cromwell Farms began over twenty years ago when we bought a 16-hectare block in Goonengerry, NSW. Starting simply with a few chooks, it now comprises two ever-changing individual farm properties in Goonengerry and Glenugie, NSW, a herd of Dexter cattle, heritage breed pigs and chickens, horses and kelpies – plus a citrus orchard, fruit trees and a market garden.
With the help of our three daughters, Aubrey, Morley and Bella, we began regenerative farming practices focusing on pasture-raised, rare heritage breeds. As the girls grew up and moved on to their own adventures, we wanted to share the beauty of the farm and the land with others, and so our venture into accommodation started.
Big River Retreat @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
Each of the four properties offers something different; what qualities tie them together?
We’ve always talked about consistency throughout all of the properties, ensuring that each property has the same homely, rustic feel and the ‘Cromwell energy’. Quality and attention to detail are a real focus for us and ensure our unique characteristics shine.
Do you have a favourite property? Why does this one appeal to you the most?
Alison: The Farm House. This is the family home; it’s full of our history and such wonderful memories. If we ever choose to stay at one of the properties, it’s always this one, and still where we celebrate special occasions like birthdays or Christmases.
Farm House @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
Greg: The Farm House is where it all began for us; as Al said, it holds all our most wonderful memories. We raised our girls there, and it’s where we try to come back together for special occasions. We’ll be celebrating Christmas there this year, which is so special now that the girls have grown up; it gets more difficult to get everyone in the same spot. We also love that we can offer this amazing property to people so they can make their own memories. Even if their stay is short, we hope it will stick with them. We often will have guests return two, three or more times… which makes us so happy as it must hold the same magic for them, too.
Middle Shed @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
What makes a stay with Cromwell Farms unique?
Alison: Our properties are all very real – we chose spaces that we’d be happy living in, and we have decorated them just so. Each property has special hand-selected vintage pieces and touches we find or take from our own collection. Communication with guests is also something we really like to get right; we try to bend over backwards to make peoples’ stays as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Alison: Our Airbnbs are affordable, especially for what you get, where they’re located and how they’re set up. And they’re accessible to a broader segment of the community – for example, families, couples, and large groups of friends. We provide organic Australian bathroom products, fabulous linen, a minibar, recipe suggestions and handbooks.
We’ve recently stocked our kitchens with top-quality staples such as Alto olive oil, spices, beautiful organic teas, local coffee and French sugar cubes, and we have included a small recipe booklet for guests that utilises these ingredients and things we grow on our farms. We wanted to set ourselves apart with simple little touches.
Big River Retreat @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
What do you hope your guests experience during a stay at Cromwell Farms?
Alison: A relaxing getaway from their real life, somewhere they can just breathe and enjoy the spaces we’ve created.
Double Crush Linen Throw in Armee/Sable, Flocca Linen Flat Sheet in Brun, Basix Linen Pillowcase in Sable/Brun, Flocca Linen Pillowcase in Armee & Sable
Why have you chosen Hale Mercantile Co. linen for your properties?
Alison: It’s rich and gorgeous, and you don’t need anything else when you’re using quality linen – it carries whatever furniture and fixtures you have, whether they’re secondhand, antiques or of a simple style. The space can be minimally decorated, but the linen fills the room with luxury. You can just throw them on; they can be wrinkled, and that’s a part of their charm. They’re perfect for any time of year and just so luxurious to snuggle down into, but in an earthy, rustic way that complements our properties and marries with the feeling we’re trying to exude.
Do you have a favourite style or hue within our collection? Why does this stand out?
Alison: We use the same style across the properties, and we like the more muted tones and textures. I love the detail of the trim; it’s subtle. Our collection is simple, and we’ve chosen the earthiest shades for our farm properties, with more pastels and deeper shades for Ulmarra, which is by the water. And yet, all the colours work well with each other regardless. I love how you can mix and match easily – you don’t need a matching set. This ease of use is so helpful, especially when running the changeovers for multiple properties!
Flocca Linen Flat Sheet in Brun
You’ve been part of a film (Green is the New Black), Greg has a food podcast, and you’re managing four properties. What’s next?
Greg: I’ve always got a thousand things on the go and another thousand ideas in my head. We (along with our dear friend and business partner Jay O’Harae) recently bought a butcher shop in Mullumbimby; we’re working hard to refine that without losing the charm and loyal customer base we bought into. We’re also focusing on Glenugie, our new home and ever-evolving property.
We’ve got our Dexter cattle, black pigs, chooks, horses and dogs to keep us busy, but the idea of releasing small sections of the property for stays is always in the back of my mind – as well as offering its stunning backdrop for larger events such as weddings. And the pull of Canada [where the couple owns a fifth accommodation property] is always there; I try to get back a few times a year.
Middle Shed @cromwellfarmstaysandgetaways
For more details or to book your next stay, visit cromwellfarms.com
