Cowboy country, without leaving Victoria! This week, our Home Life Series takes us to Harvest Ranch, a 55-acre country escape where the American Southwest meets the rolling hills of Tynong North.
Created by Amy and Luke Allday, Harvest is home to a beautifully restored log cabin turned guest retreat, surrounded by horses, donkeys and a colourful cast of farm animals. Inside, think vintage Western art, Moroccan rugs, rustic timber and treasures collected from around the globe.
We chat with Amy about her love of collecting, the inspiration behind this one-of-a-kind farm stay and the joy of sharing a little slice of country life with others.
Hey Amy! Welcome to the Home Life Series. For those who haven't discovered Harvest Ranch, tell us a little about yourself, your family and how this beautiful 55-acre property in Tynong North came into your life. What inspired you to create Harvest?
We’re a family of four, with our two children, Saffron and Banjo. Harvest came to life through our love of the outdoors and our desire to give our children a childhood surrounded by nature, animals and adventure.
Both of our kids have always been happiest outside, whether they’re riding their horses, tearing around on motorbikes, or just spending their days amongst the animals. We naturally found ourselves wanting more space and somewhere they could have the freedom to explore, get dirty, make memories and grow up appreciating the simple pleasures of country life.
The property has two homes, including a gorgeous original log cabin that was once the main farmhouse and has since been turned into a ‘b&b farm stay’ and ‘holiday with your horse retreat’
With Bunyip State Forest bordering our property and its incredible network of riding trails, we wanted to create a place where people could escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, bring their horses and enjoy riding through the beautiful surrounding countryside.
We also wanted Harvest to be more than just somewhere to stay. We envisioned guests coming to experience a little taste of the farm life we love so much, whether that’s helping feed our calves, spending time with our horses and donkeys, or slowing down and soaking up the peace and beauty of the farm.
Harvest feels like a little slice of the American Southwest tucked away in the Victorian countryside. From the traditional log cabin to the Spanish influences, vintage furniture and handcrafted timber, where did your love for this style begin? Were there any particular places, travels or interiors that inspired the space?
We’ve always had a real love for travelling, embracing different cultures and experiencing the beauty of places that are a little off the beaten track. We’ve been fortunate enough to share that love of adventure with our children, Saffron and Banjo, and have taken them to some pretty incredible places, including really cool and unique countries like Muscat in Oman and Turkey. They absolutely loved immersing themselves in the different cultures, trying the local food, discovering beautiful treasures and wandering through the colourful bazaars.
I’ve always adored collecting unique and meaningful pieces from our travels. I love that furniture, textiles and little treasures can tell a story and bring back memories of places we’ve visited. I’ve never been one to follow a particular interior trend, I much prefer a home that feels collected over time, full of character, warmth and pieces that have a story behind them.
I’ve naturally always been drawn to Spanish and Moroccan interiors, with their rich earthy colours, beautiful textures, rustic timber and handcrafted details. I also have a huge love for the American Southwest ranch style, which feels particularly fitting for Harvest with our horses and the beautiful mountain trails we ride through.
As a child, I spent some time in Canada, where I developed a love for Native American culture, particularly their artistry and connection to horses and the natural world. That appreciation has stayed with me over the years and has certainly influenced my love of Southwestern design.
I think Harvest has become a beautiful blend of all those influences. The traditional log cabin lends itself perfectly to that rustic ranch feel, and I’ve loved bringing together vintage furniture, handcrafted timber, beautiful textiles and treasures collected from different corners of the world.
For me, the most beautiful homes are the ones that feel authentic and lived in, rather than perfectly styled. I wanted Harvest to feel warm, welcoming and a little unexpected, somewhere that transports you to another place whilst still embracing the natural beauty of the Australian countryside.
There's such a beautiful mix of textures, collected pieces and rustic finishes throughout the cabin. How did you approach sourcing furniture, artwork and objects for Harvest? Are there any particularly special finds or pieces with a story behind them?
So many of the pieces throughout the cabin have been collected over the years, and I really wanted Harvest to feel as though you were wandering through a vintage market, or a bustling bazaar somewhere abroad. I love the idea of a home filled with treasures that have been discovered rather than simply bought, where every piece has a little story to tell.
I have a particular love for vintage Western art, which can be quite difficult to source here in Australia, so I’m forever hunting for beautiful artwork, interesting antiques and pieces that make you wonder where they’ve come from and what stories they could tell.
My dad travelled the world during the 1970s, and I think I inherited my love of collecting from him. He has an incredible collection of vintage kilim and Berber rugs and antique pieces from his travels, and I’m often rummaging through them, occasionally sneaking something home and hoping he won’t notice it’s missing!
I’d describe Harvest as a space that’s not been styled overnight… It’s a collection of memories, travels, family treasures and things we’ve fallen in love with along the way. I love that it’s a little eclectic and imperfect, because to me that’s what gives a home its warmth, character and soul.
Life on 55 acres must look pretty different from the usual nine-to-five! Take us through a typical day at Harvest. From feeding the animals to looking after the property, what are some of the everyday rituals you've come to love?
We love nothing more than being outdoors, so a typical day at Harvest always begins with doing the rounds and feeding the animals. There’s something really lovely about starting the morning outside, surrounded by nature, with all the animals waiting at the gate ready to greet you in exchange for their breakfast.
The horses probably take up the biggest part of my day, then there are the calves, who are always eagerly waiting for their bottles of milk. Watching the calves grow, develop their little personalities and enjoy a peaceful life on the farm is something that brings me so much happiness.
Many of our cows actually came to us through dairy calf auctions, and they have grown into the most affectionate, gentle animals. I often think they somehow know how different their lives could have been. The love and trust they show us in return is incredibly special, and giving them a safe, happy home where they can live out their days is one of the most rewarding parts of farm life.
I also spend a lot of time pottering around in the veggie garden, which has become one of my favourite places on the property. There’s something so satisfying about growing your own food, but what I love most is watching the kids wander through, picking fresh vegetables or grabbing little snacks straight from the garden before heading off on their next adventure. I grew up with Polish migrant grandparents and some of my fondest memories as a child were eating blueberries and raspberries straight off the bush in their incredible veggie and fruit garden.
I think what I appreciate most is that life at Harvest encourages us to slow down in some ways, even when we’re busy. We’re outside in the fresh air, connected to the seasons, caring for our animals and watching our children grow up with that same love and appreciation for nature. To me, that’s a pretty beautiful way to spend our days.
Horses, donkeys, mini ponies, goats and bottle-fed calves — there's no shortage of characters at Harvest! Tell us a little about your four-legged residents. Who are the biggest personalities, and what do you love most about sharing farm life with your family and guests?
Our horses have been such a big part of our lives for many years, but I think my husband Luke knew that once we moved to land the animal collection was inevitably going to grow! He’s become very accustomed to me arriving home with another animal in the boot of my car, and as I work in the veterinary industry I always come across animals that need a home. Well that’s what I tell Luke anyway!
Without a doubt, one of the biggest personalities on the farm is Derrick, our one year old miniature donkey. He is an absolute character and probably the naughtiest animal on the farm. His favourite pastimes include stealing the horses’ feed, chewing on their rugs and tails and generally causing chaos wherever he goes. He’s so tiny that he can squeeze underneath the fences, so he spends his days wandering around the property deciding who he’s going to annoy next.
Donkeys have actually become one of my favourite animals. They’re incredibly intelligent, intuitive and affectionate, with such distinct personalities. I could honestly spend hours watching their antics from our bedroom window. When Derrick knows there’s guests in the log cabin he wanders down there to check out the situation and introduce himself and I love watching the guests staying at Harvest enjoy and laugh at him just as much as we do.
Our horses are particularly precious to me, not just because of my love of riding, but because of the role they play in our children’s lives. They carry our kids safely around the farm and I have so much appreciation for their gentle, trustworthy natures. We recently imported the most amazing mare named Fash from New Zealand and she is the epitome of a beautiful soul… so gentle and affectionate. When life feels overwhelming and chaotic, I sit with her in the paddock and she just rests her head calmly on me. Guests staying at Harvest love Fash too, she happily comes over to them for cuddles and carrots.
To me, the animals are what really bring Harvest to life. They give the property its personality, and I honestly couldn’t imagine our farm without them.
The cabin has been designed with gathering in mind, from cooking over fire to long lunches and evenings around the stone fireplace. What does entertaining look like at Harvest? Are you the type to plan an elaborate feast, or is it more about good food, good company and letting the day unfold?
When the idea of running a b&b farm stay came to us, we really wanted to incorporate all the things we love about our own lifestyle and share those experiences with the guests who come to stay. Cooking over an open fire, gathering around the fire pit and enjoying long, relaxed meals outdoors are some of our favourite things to do, so it was important to us to create a space where our guests could experience that same sense of connection and enjoyment.
We wanted to create an environment that encourages people to slow down, light the fire pit and simply take in the incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Whether it’s preparing a beautiful meal together, or sitting around the fire as the sun goes down, we wanted guests to feel that same sense of relaxation and appreciation for the simple things that we love so much about life at Harvest.
I’m a huge admirer of the Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann and his philosophy of cooking with fire. I love his connection to the rugged landscapes of Patagonia and the simplicity of preparing beautiful food over open flames. There’s something so special about this style of cooking, where the experience is just as important as the meal itself.
Although I love a relaxed atmosphere, I’m definitely someone who enjoys planning and preparing everything beforehand. I’ll often spend time prepping the food and setting the table before everyone arrives, so that when our guests are here, I can genuinely relax and enjoy their company.
One of the most special things about Harvest is the opportunity for guests to experience a slower pace of life, surrounded by nature and animals. What do you hope people take away from their stay, and has creating Harvest changed your own relationship with home, nature and the way you live?
When Harvest and the farm stay became a reality, one of our biggest priorities was to make guests feel as though they’d escaped somewhere completely different, a place where they could leave behind their busy everyday life and experience something a little more peaceful and special. I also wanted to make the log cabin as comfortable and cosy as possible. I love sleeping in beautiful linen bedding and cooking & serving food in quality kitchenware, so naturally Kip & Co’s bedding, towels & dinnerware feature a lot throughout the cabin.
Harvest is only 50 minutes from Melbournes cbd and when guests come to stay, they often say that they feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
More than anything, I hope our guests leave Harvest feeling relaxed, reconnected and with a collection of beautiful memories shared with the people they love. Whether that’s a morning coffee whilst watching the horses graze, an afternoon exploring the property and forest, helping us bottle feed the baby animals, or an evening spent around the fire. It’s those simple experiences that often become the most memorable, especially for families with young children who are only accustomed to city life.
As for how farm life has changed our own lives, I think it’s fair to say we’ve all become a little too attached to being home! Since moving here, it takes quite a lot to convince any of us to leave. I’m definitely much more of a homebody these days!
Living here has really made us appreciate the simple pleasures in life. While there’s always plenty of work to be done on a farm, there’s also a wonderful sense of freedom and contentment that comes with it. We’ve created a lifestyle that we genuinely love, and I think the greatest joy of Harvest is being able to share a little piece of that with others.
