Country Life Farm in Dunsborough is one of those places where you really can spend most of the day with the kids, especially if you’ve got a mix of ages and energy levels. Sitting just off Caves Road, it combines a hands‑on animal farm with a big indoor play centre and a bunch of classic fairground‑style rides, so there’s always something new to tempt kids away from “just one more go” on their current favourite.
As soon as you arrive, you walk between the main paddocks where many of the larger animals live. Kids can hand‑feed friendly ponies, cows, donkeys, goats, sheep, alpacas and llamas, as well as meet kangaroos along the back fence line.
Admission includes buckets of carrots for the children, so there’s no need to ration the treats too strictly, though staff do warn you to keep an eye on the cheeky llama, who will happily reach into a bucket if given the chance. Most animals are used to children and wander over to the fence for a snack and a pat, which is fantastic for building confidence in younger visitors.
Further into the farm there’s a large enclosure for smaller animals and birds, home to rabbits, guinea pigs and a variety of feathered friends. Kids can gently offer them food through the mesh, and patient little hands might be rewarded with a rabbit cuddle while grown‑ups relax on nearby chairs. It’s a lovely, slightly quieter corner of the farm for children who prefer calm, close‑up animal encounters to the more boisterous paddock feeding.
Beyond the animals, Country Life Farm really comes into its own with its rides and play equipment. Entry includes a boat ride per person – choose between rowboats and pedal boats – on the small lake, with life jackets supplied for children.
There’s also a merry‑go‑round (carousel) that generally runs on the hour, and one dodgem car ride per person, with younger kids able to ride alongside an adult.
The grassy banks and shaded picnic spots around the water make it a picturesque place to pause between activities, and the whole set‑up has a charming, old‑school holiday‑park feel.
Indoors, a huge shed houses the play centre, which is a big drawcard on both hot and rainy days. Inside you’ll find separate baby and toddler zones and a main multi‑level structure for older kids, featuring climbing frames, ball pits, slides and ride‑on toys. There are portable air‑conditioners to take the edge off the heat, plenty of tables and chairs for parents, and basic facilities to make your own tea and coffee.
Outside, there’s even more to explore: a large bouncy castle with a big slide, a row of plastic cubby houses perfect for imaginative play, and other bits of outdoor play equipment, so it’s easy to drift between shaded play, animals and rides all day long.
For families planning to stay a while, Country Life Farm is very picnic‑friendly. There are lots of tables and chairs under peppermint trees, free gas barbecues, and a small shop selling ice creams, chips, lollies and cold drinks. Free tea and coffee are included in your entry, but there’s no café on site, so packing your own lunch and snacks is the best option. Toilets are available, with a baby change space next to the ladies’ (worth bringing your own change mat to pop on top). The grounds are mostly flat and grassed, with some gravel, so prams are manageable, though you’ll want to hold hands near the water and around moving rides.
Admission includes generous access to the main attractions – animal feed buckets, unlimited time in the indoor Playground, unlimited carousel rides, one dodgem session and one boat ride per person – which helps with budgeting if you have multiple children. Optional extras such as the 12D cinema and additional dodgem or boat rides are available for a small extra cost if you decide to extend the fun. Being family‑owned and operated since 1989, the farm has a homely, slightly old‑fashioned charm that many families love: it’s not polished like a theme park, but it’s warm, friendly and absolutely packed with things for kids to do.
If you’re visiting the Margaret River region with children, Country Life Farm is an easy all‑in‑one stop where animal lovers, thrill‑seekers and Playground fans are all well catered for – and where a “quick visit” often turns into a full afternoon of play.
Country Life Farm
Address: 1694 Caves Road, Dunsborough WA 6281
Opening hours: Open 7 days a week, 9:30am – 5:00pm (check the website or social media for any seasonal changes or special closures)
Website: https://www.countrylifefarm.com.au
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
