Swagman Homestead

We chose Swagman Homestead at Stockman’s Ridge for four nights, March 2-6, 2023, because it was listed as pet friendly. When we arrived at 5:30 pm, a bird-scaring gas gun was firing in the vineyard about 30 metres from the accommodation. The blasts were extremely loud and badly frightened our young border collie. The host said it was a working farm and that farm noise should be expected, but the booking site hadn’t mentioned the gas gun. It fired unpredictably for around three hours at a time, twice daily, starting at 7 am and 5 pm. That made the stay stressful for our dog and for us. I’m a farmer and have lived on working farms for over 30 years, so reasonable farm sounds don’t bother me, but explosions so close are different when you’ve booked pet-friendly accommodation. With the gun going for at least six hours a day and likely distressing most dogs, I don’t think Swagman Homestead should advertise itself as pet friendly. We left a day early because of the noise and lost the cost of that night. At checkout, the host showed no sympathy or concern about why we were leaving early, and didn’t acknowledge that the booking site should have warned pet owners about seasonal use of the gas gun. The accommodation itself was comfortable, though the place felt neglected and needed a thorough spring clean inside and out. Some flyscreens were missing or badly damaged, and the portable reverse-cycle air conditioners in the bedroom windows worked but were very noisy. The linen was good quality. The toilet paper was so thin we bought our own, which I wouldn’t expect at $220 a night, and the bathroom hot water was dangerously hot. The host never came by during our stay to check whether everything was okay or if we needed anything. I can’t recommend booking this as pet-friendly accommodation.

It’s a peaceful spot within walking distance of the Stockman Ridge cellar door. There’s no restaurant, so you’ll need to sort out your own breakfast and dinner. The cheese platter is lovely and pairs nicely with the wines.

We had a wine tasting and enjoyed a grazing plate with it.