Spring is easily our favourite season at Little Valley Farm. The paddocks turn green again, the alpacas start losing their winter coats (whether they like it or not), and the whole valley gets busy with the Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival. If you’re planning a spring visit, here’s what’s happening on the farm and in the village this September.
Shearing Season
Every spring, our alpacas get their annual haircut, and it’s one of the most fun and hard-working days on the farm calendar. It's definitely hard work for our shearer, and my job is to sort out the fleece on the day. Shearing keeps the alpaca herd cool and comfortable through the warmer months, and it’s also where a lot of our fibre for workshops and products comes from. If you’re staying at the Summerhouse during shearing week, you might catch the whole process in action down at the shearing shed.
This is Little Teddy Bo, it will be interesting to see what she looks like after shearing.
Meet the Donkeys
It’s been a big season for personalities on the farm. Little Monty the Irish Donkey continues to charm every guest who visits; Maisie Mae has settled in as an awesome mum to Monty, and Loxie Love is never far from the action. And of course, Honkey Hamlet is holding down the fort with his donkey charms also.
Sculpture Festival Season in the Valley
From 12–27 September, the Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival brings art trails, installations, and a real buzz to the village. It’s the perfect excuse for a spring escape. Spend your days exploring sculptures and the Artisan Collective in Wollombi, then come home to the quiet of the farm, a soak in the wood-fired hot tub, and alpacas grazing just outside your window.
Seeing Wollombi By Euan Wilcox during the Sculpture Festival
During the Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival, Euan is running a two-morning photography workshop, Seeing Differently, at the Artisan Collective Barn at the Wollombi General Store. Held Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 September, 10 am–12 pm, it's built for anyone with a camera, including a phone. Whether you're just starting out or feel stuck in a rut. Over the two mornings, you'll shoot, review, and edit among the sculptures themselves, then return at your own time to photograph the pieces under different lighting. $180 p/p, bookings essential via the Wollombi General Store website. Read the full workshop details here.
Plan Your Spring Stay
Whether you’re here for the art, the animals, or just to slow down for a few days, spring is one of the best times to visit. Reserve your stay direct for the most up-to-date availability.
Little Valley Summerhouse by the pond