After the flood the Gang Gangs Cockatoos are back

This past weekend brought a deluge to the Hunter Valley, with floodwaters rising once again. The landscape changed almost overnight—paddocks turned to lakes, access roads became streams, and every step outside meant another battle with the relentless mud. But as the water slowly recedes, a sense of normality returns to the farm.

Today, Euan captured an incredible moment on video: a gang-gang cockatoo perched contentedly in the paddock tree, enjoying seeds scattered on the wet ground. Watching this magnificent bird reminded us of nature's resilience. Even after the chaos of the flood, life finds a way to settle back in, bringing a sense of normalcy and comfort.

The female gang gang cockatoo enjoys the seed from the liquid amber trees. SOUND ON when watching the video!

Why are Gang Gang Cockatoos important? These beautiful birds are endangered. Their population has dropped 70% in three generations, so they deserve some airtime on our page and a whole lot of bush food.

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When you reserve your summerhouse farmstay with us, be sure to bring your camera to capture the incredible birdlife and wildlife that surrounds the property—it's a truly special experience you won't want to miss.

Little Valley summerhouse Laguna, Wollombi Valley

Visiting an Alpaca Farm in the Hunter Valley – Little Valley Farm

Looking for an alpaca farm in the Hunter Valley? Visit Little Valley Farm in Wollombi Valley for an unforgettable alpaca experience, workshops, and off-grid adults-only stays.

Visiting an Alpaca Farm in the Hunter Valley: What to Expect at Little Valley Farm

If you’re searching for an alpaca farm in the Hunter Valley, you’ve come to the right place. Nestled in the peaceful Wollombi Valley, Little Valley Farm is a boutique alpaca farm offering a hands-on, heartwarming experience. Whether you’re here for a quick visit, planning a getaway weekend, or dreaming of starting your own alpaca herd. We’ve got you covered.

We’ve been farming alpacas since 2012, and every member of our herd has a name, a story, and (usually) an opinion. From our white alpaca who looks like she’s smiling to the babies (crias) learning how to pronk, there’s always something worth meeting.

What You’ll Find at Our Alpaca Farm 

Alpaca Owner Workshops

Interested in raising alpacas yourself? We run practical workshops for new and potential alpaca owners. You’ll learn everything from feeding to shearing set-up, fencing, shelters, body scoring, FAMACHA checks, and more. View dates here.

Fleece workshops

In 2025, we will be hosting an alpaca Dryer Ball Workshop that you can take home and use on your laundry. More info will follow shortly, so sign up to our VIP mailing list and watch this page.

Farm Products

We sell our alpaca yarn and wool, made right here on the farm. It’s soft, sustainable, and full of character. Just like the alpacas who grow it. Buy here

Also new in 2025 is our range of made in Peru knitwear and living. Coming soon!

Off-Grid Farm Stay

Make a weekend of it with a stay in our handcrafted adults-only summerhouse by the pond. It’s peaceful, private, and completely off-grid, built with passive solar principles and surrounded by alpacas and donkeys.

Meet the Alpacas (once a year, annual open day)

Visitors can get up close with our alpacas, learn about their personalities and how we raise them, and, if they’re feeling social, give them a gentle pat on the neck and a feed. They’re curious, calm, and very photogenic. Make sure to sign up for our annual open days and be on the VIP list.

Why Visit an Alpaca Farm in the Hunter Valley? 

People visit for all sorts of reasons. Some for the animals, some for the education, and some just to slow down for a bit and reconnect with nature. The Hunter Valley is known for wine and scenery, but we like to think alpacas are a pretty great reason too.

We’re only a short drive from Pokolbin (40 minutes) and then ten minutes from Wollombi village, making adding a farm visit to your weekend away easy. We are definitely off the beaten track, so please ensure you have the right vehicle for our bush track road. 

Due to our bio-security policy in place, we are available by appointment only and booked in advance. One last thing, closed shoes out on the paddocks.

Plan Your Visit 

We welcome visitors by appointment only to ensure the animals' (and your) relaxation and enjoyment. You will definitely need to book well in advance, as we don’t accept walk-ins and hope that people respect our bio-security policy.

To book an alpaca visit, a workshop, or our summerhouse accommodation, visit our website.

Whether you’re curious about alpacas, dreaming of your small farm, or just looking for a unique day out in the Hunter Valley. Little Valley Farm is a great place to start, but via appointment only as we are usually booked out in advance.

We’d love to welcome you to the paddock. Daniela

Daniela and here alpacas at Little Valley Farm

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Other alpaca places to book

Starline offers alpaca feeding and is set up for excellent family accommodation.

Iris Lodge on the Central Coast offers alpaca feeding sessions. Jump on their website to book.

If you are outside the Hunter Valley, NSW then jump on the Australian Alpaca Assocation to find a breeder near you or send me an email.

What to do when staying in Laguna at Little Valley Farm

Sips, Sights and Local Delights - INSIDER TIPS from Daniela.

A Little Valley Guide to Wollombi Valley.

The Hunter Valley is all about long, lazy lunches, so book one in and make an afternoon of it. Then kick back at night with a grazing box, a glass of wine, and nothing else on the agenda.

The Trading Post Laguna (4.5 km)

Discover a hidden gem for your next coffee, lunch, tipples, or Friday night dinner. It is located just 4.5 km from Little Valley Farm and nestled along Great North Road, near the Laguna Public School. Take a seat on the verandah and soak up the natural beauty of Laguna Village.

This unique establishment is a fusion of a bar, cafe and restaurant. You can start your day right with breakfast from 8 am and enjoy a casual lunch any day of the week.

Friday night dinners are a must. The last seating for dinner is 8:30 pm, so make sure you make an online reservation. Seating can be outdoor so rugg up on cold nights. Menu here. 4998 8244. The Trading Post

Breakfast from 8 am, Lunch 7 Days and dinner on Friday nights only.

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Laguna Village Providore (fruit and veg shop) at the Trading Post, Laguna.

Explore the excellent yet small selection at Laguna Village Providore, where an array of fresh fruits and vegetables takes centre stage. Indulge in a delicious locally made cheese platter or a grazing platter.

Grazing platters can be purchased through their website and picked up before 4 pm daily (please check this time with them). If you need a birthday celebratory cake, you can order through them, but it's best to book one at least one week in advance. You can also order BBQ meat packs via their website. Enquiries contact Michelle at (02) 4038 5004 or shop the website here: Laguna Village Providore

Large grocery shops are best done before getting here. The closest large grocery shop is Aldi (Syd) Berowra or Cessnock, to the North, is 40 km from us. If coming from the Central Coast, pick something up there.

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Wollombi Village, a 10-minute drive

The serene Wollombi Village is only a ten-minute drive. It boasts a charming bushland backdrop, rich cultural sites, and a laid-back ambience, offering a perfect refuge for those searching for a peaceful getaway. The village may be small, with only a few daytime dining options, but its beauty and serenity are bound to leave a lasting impression. 

Myrtle & Stone is a gem of a country cafe that serves up mouthwatering breakfast and lunch dishes with warm and welcoming country hospitality. And the best part? It's only a quick ten-minute drive away! Open seven days a week, you can enjoy their delectable menu starting at 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. Be sure to stop by before their last lunch serving at 2 p.m.

Noyce Brothers Wine: Head over to the cellar door to get some exquisite wine and do a tasting with Julie. Tell Julie I recommended you for free wine tasting. While you're there, take a moment to appreciate the breathtaking formal garden at the back and indulge in a fun game of giant chess. Closed Tue/Wed.

*Wollombi Tavern: The courtyard area is a popular spot for locals to enjoy drinks and live music. It's a good, relaxing, unpretentious place for an afternoon beer. The venue offers casual pub lunch and dinner but go early to beat the rush. Menu here. The last food is served by 7 pm mid-week and 8 pm on weekends. Seating is outdoors, so rug up on cool nights—phone 4998 3261.

“Make sure you plan and book in advance, as some businesses are not open daily and cafes and restaurants close early in Wollombi Valley. So be prepared.”

— Daniela

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Restaurants in Pokolbin, Lovedale, Mt View and Broke. 40-minute drive.

Bistro Molines, - quintessentially Hunter Valley and an outstanding lunchtime experience with amazing vineyard views. Secure your booking via their website, or you will miss out. It’s a dining experience not to miss when in the Hunter and one of our FAVOURITE places. Casual chic dress code. Book this place in advance as its always booked out.

Autumn Image thanks to Bistro Molines

Muse Restaurant, - outstanding and the finest place to dine for true food connoisseurs. Book late afternoon or early dinner and make it a memorable dining experience not to be missed for foodies. Smart casual attire as it’s a more formal dining experience.

Leaves & Fishes is a charming, casual restaurant in Lovedale with great light snacks, friendly service, and a relaxing location. Go for a casual lunchtime sitting by the dam. Table service on the balcony can be booked early, or you can drop in to enjoy a light snack in the serene garden area.

Other restaurants to check out:

Margans, Pigs Peaks, Amanda’s on the Edge and Lovedale Smokehouse & EXP.

Cessnock (near Pokolbin) is a service town where you will find all the supermarkets, chemists, and petrol stations.

Drivng from / to Sydney check out

Saddles Mt White
If driving from Sydney along the M1, book an early lunch at Saddles Mt White. It is a must for foodies and people who appreciate elegant Australian homestead architecture. The design is inspiring, and the food and service are always outstanding. There is a coffee van, so you can sit by the lovely dam if you want something casual.

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Wine Trail 

Make sure you drive the wine loop trail

Laguna - Wollombi - Broke - Pokolbin or

Laguna - Wollombi - Cedar Creek - Mt View - Pokolbin

Start with a casual wine tasting with Julie at Noyce Brothers Wine in Wollombi, then drive 2 kms to Undercliff Vineyard (phone first), in Yango Creek Road; a must-visit is Krinklewood in Broke (40 mins drive); there are heaps of places to stop and enjoy, so take your time. Next, check out the Mt View drive and head to Pokolbin, where all the big cellar doors are and lunchtime places. Drive back via the loop road Cessnock-Wollombi or vice versa. You can use google maps once you are in the mobile range in Wollombi.

Other places to enjoy around Pokolin and Lovedale, Broke.

Saddlers Wine Creek, I highly recommend…. VAMP by Lisa McGuigan. Have you tried the decadent, inspirational cellar door that takes you to another dimension? It's one of my favourites, so I highly recommend checking it out.

Audrey Wilkinson and Winemark Wines / Krinklewood Vineyard. Stonehurt Cedar Creek Wollombi

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Wine Tours 

*Grape Experience Tours. Looking for a delightful tour experience? Grape Experience Tours offers mini-bus tours with friendly, experienced guides Melissa and Mark. They even provide pick-up and drop-off services for your convenience. To book, get in touch with Melissa here or phone 0414457956.

Photo credit Tourist Drive 33

Get Active 

BYO Bicycles. The best and most relaxing rides are down Watagan Creek Road, which are road & gravel (20-40 km). Wollombi rides are for experienced riders only, especially on the weekends when there is a lot of traffic on the narrow road between Laguna and Wollombi.

Horse Riding in the Hunter

If coming from Sydney or the Central Coast, book a horse riding experience at Glenwoth Valley, just off the M1 on the Tourist Drive Route 33. If you are heading up to Pokolbin or Lovedale, book horse riding at Hunter Valley Horses, about 40 mins from our farm.

Bush lookout and hikes

Finchley Lookout. Looking out across the remote wilderness from Finchley lookout, you would never know you were just a few hours from Sydney or Newcastle—drive time approx 35 minutes.

*If there has been rain, expect some creek crossings, and you will definitely need a SUV/4WD.

The other lookout and hike is Flat Rock Lookout Correbare State Forest. Hikes and lookouts. Please Google and do your online research for this, as you could get very lost on a hike.

Wollombi Village Brook is an easy 1 km nature walk. Start at the village Museum and head down to the brook. Download the map here.

Relax

Enjoy a rejuvenating in-house massage with Jo Potter, a highly skilled Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, and Remedial Therapist based in the Wollombi Valley. Relax and unwind as Jo brings her expertise to our doorstep, offering a holistic approach to wellness in the comfort of the summerhouse: request rates and bookings via Jo’s website or 0437977798.

Photography

For those who love to take photos, check out Euan's photos of the Wollombi Valley on Instagram.

Join us on Instagram - Little Valley Farm Instagram here.

Local Art Roadside Gallery Wollombi Village. Read more here

OTHER INFO

*Pokolbin vineyards, concerts, and hot air balloon rides are located 40 minutes away.

*Hot air balloon rides can be a 3-4 AM start so please do check with the event company.

*Rain equals mud at concerts and on the farm, so bring boots.

*No mobile reception in Laguna, only at Wollombi Village.  

*Fill up your car before you leave, as the Trading Post Laguna can run out of fuel over the weekends, and the closest would be Cessnock.

*Businesses close early in the country, so pre-book and plan your dining options.

*Bring cash for small businesses as Wollombi Village has no ATM.

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Notes

If travelling down the M1, expect Friday night traffic delays. Plan at least 2.5 hours. If there is rain, expect a more extended trip and follow LIVE TRAFFIC for travel times. 

Kindly be advised that the prices above are merely recommendations and are subject to change by the service providers. It would be best to contact them directly for accurate & updated information. We sincerely thank you for supporting the local businesses in the valley.

Laguna and Wollombi surrounded by National Parks and State Forest.

Yoga with the Alpacas at Little Valley Farm

That’s right, we did it! I am not sure if we did impress our alpacas but we certainly had a great time trying, stretching and laughing.

It was absolutely relaxing doing yoga in the middle of the paddocks with the alpacas surrounding us. A huge thank you to Joy, (it was Pure Joy!) and our amazing three guests.

Let’s do it again!

Follow us for our next yoga-with-the-alpacas.

Book your four-person glamping weekend farm stay here.

Cycling around Laguna

Early morning ride from our farm into Laguna Village for a relaxing breakfast at Great Northern Trading Post is the right way to start the day.

You can now hire premium Cannondale bikes when you book your glamping stay with us. Simply contact Hunter Valley Bicycle Company or you can try-before-you-buy an E-bike - check out Cessnock Bicycle Company.

Laguna is home to the annual Gravel Grit Laguna so it has to be something special riding around the Watagans and Olney State Forest once its re-opens after Summer.

Photo credit Euan Wilcox