Winter in the Otways and the Great Ocean Road region is a wonderful time of year.

Thinking about a Winter Farm Stay.  Each of our fully self contained  cottages at Johanna river farm and cottages are equipped for cosy comfort and warmth.   Lovely woodfire heating with a woodbox at your door, and other comforts such as electric blankets, electric heating, and thick woolen blankets ensure our guests comfort.

What happens on the farm over Winter?

Our work around the farm is determined by the seasons.  There is always something to do.   Over Summer and Autumn, (among other things) we have been busy collecting and storing wood for the cottage woodfires – both from fallen trees in the farm forests and a supply of sugar gum has been delivered.  Each cottage has its own supply of wood.

Apart from the comforts of our guests in the cottages, our main priority over winter is ‘lambing’.  Which means our ewes are getting ready to birth.  Our first lambs begin to arrive at the end of June.   We lamb in early Winter because there is plenty of feed for our animals and the weather can typically be quite mild.  

What’s to do in Winter?

Our winter guests often choose to do very little – Enjoying the quiet of the region and the comforts of their cottage.  Put another log on the fire and watch a winter storm come in over the farm and the Southern Ocean.

For those that enjoy a bit more activity – there’s lots of nearby winter activities and happenings.  These attractions can be enjoyed without the peak season crowds.    

You’ll need a good winter coat, a beanie and a scarf and you are set to explore.  We can help you out if you want some gumboots!.   Take a walk around the farm, visiting and feeding friendly farm animals and exploring the Johanna river.   Perhaps an invigorating  stroll along wild and rugged Johanna Beach and other often deserted coastal parts of the Great Ocean road region.  Make sure you keep an eye out for Whales as Southern Right Whales migrate along the Otway Coast between July and October. 

Just inland from the farm are the waterfalls and rainforests of the nearby Otway National Park.  Winter and Spring are perhaps the best time to visit the “cool temperate” Otway Rainforests and Waterfalls.  Triplet Falls, Beauchamp Falls, and Hopetoun Falls are awesome and at full force after some Winter rain.  

A number of Otway festivals and events occur over Winter.  Winter Wild in Apollo Bay and various other special events add extra interest to a Winter farm stay.

Next school holidays in Winter – June July – and then Spring school holidays – September.   They come around so quickly.  Check our availability.