Family-friendly farm life: meet the growers at Oh Deere Farm Stay

Do you want to create magical family memories by slowing down, getting your hands dirty, connecting to the land, and swapping screens for wide open spaces?

Families can do exactly that and more at Oh Deere Farm Stay, a working sugar cane farm in Calen, just an hour north of Mackay, Queensland. Get a glimpse into farm life, taste the produce, meet the growers, learn where your food comes from, and enjoy an authentic country experience that’s both affordable and unforgettable.

Real farmers, real stories

Your hosts, Karinda and Dale, are passionate growers who open their hearts and home to everyone they welcome at Oh Deere Farm stay. You’ll learn how their journey took them from growing potatoes in Tasmania to sugar cane in Mackay Isaac, the ups and downs of modern farming, and how you can support growers just like them. Expect to laugh, cry and everything in between, their story stays with you long after you leave the farm gate.

Big experiences for little explorers

There is so much to choose from to keep the whole family entertained without screens, schedules or pressure. From buggy tours, paddock walks and a real-life sugar cane maze, to on-water dam adventures and more machinery than youngsters (and the young at heart) can dream of. You can even visit the ‘Love Shack’, the on-site collection of John Deere memorabilia – it’s something you really must see to believe!

An outside classroom

Parents love the chance to not only show their kids where food comes from, but to let them get hands-on by crushing cane, tasting the produce, getting a little muddy and asking as many questions as they can! It’s hands-on learning in the best way possible, teaching kids about agriculture, sustainability and caring for the land without feeling like a school lesson.

Priceless memories for the budget-friendly

Oh Deere Farm Stay proves you don’t need to spend big to make great memories. Powered and unpowered caravan site accommodation and tours are priced with families in mind, offering excellent value without sacrificing comfort or experience. With a range of deals on offer in 2026, it’s easy to extend your visit and truly settle into the rhythm of farm life. 

Extend your stay

If you really want to slow down and live the farm life, you can’t beat an extended farm stay. Mornings are quiet, afternoons are relaxed, and evenings are spent watching the sun set over the paddocks by the campfire with strangers that become lifelong friends. It’s the kind of place where families reconnect, kids learn without realising it, and everyone leaves feeling refreshed.

Oh Deere Farm Stay isn’t just somewhere to stay, it’s a chance for families to meet the makers, experience real farm life, and create lasting memories, all while keeping things simple, affordable and fun.

Find out more about Oh Deere Farm Stay and book your visit here.

Check out the current deals here.

Extend your stay in Mackay Isaac

There’s so much to see and do after your visit to Oh Deere Farm Stay that offer big experiences without the big price tag. Watch the sunrise with the wallabies and kangaroos at Cape Hillsborough, enjoy rainforest walks and waterfalls at Finch Hatton Gorge, and visit Eungella National Park, one of the best places to see a platypus in the wild!

Find more family-friendly adventures here.