OUR STORY

THE STORY OF OUR MARGARET RIVER ECO FARM

Hand-built, off-grid and cared for by our family since 1995.

THE LAND

FROM DAIRY FARM TO BUSHLAND

Birchfield began in 1995 as a worn-out dairy farm. Where others saw bare paddocks, we saw potential and started planting. More than 20,000 native trees later, the land has grown back into the bush you see today: 24 hectares of it, five minutes from Witchcliffe and twelve from Margaret River.

TWENTY-FOUR HECTARES OF BUSH, PADDOCK AND FARM NEAR WITchLIFFE.

THE FARMER

THE HANDS BEHIND IT

Everything at Birchfield is hand-built. Andy taught himself strawbale and earth-render construction, then created the Chalet and then The Dome. Once the cottages were up, he kept building. Two old buses became mobile homes, one for each of his daughters, fitted out with everything a small home on wheels needs. A retired railway goods wagon (right) became a timber-lined gypsey-styled guest room.

You'll find Andy tinkering away happily building something quirky and interesting! The landscape on the farm is always changing as Andy puts his boundless creativity to work.

FARMER

ANDY

ECO & OFF-GRID

OFF THE GRID, ON PURPOSE

Birchfield runs on sun and rain. A 10kW solar system powers the farm, solar hot water and woodfire boosters keep the showers hot, and rainwater is collected and filtered as drinking water. We grow what we can and try to live a little lighter each year. It's one of the few genuinely off-grid farms you'll find near Margaret River, along with all the comforts you'd expect from a relaxing weekend away.

MEET OUR FRIENDLY FARM ANIMALS

A FARM FULL OF CHARACTERS

The Farm is home to resident donkeys, alpacas, ducks, two pigs and a tribe of free-roaming guinea pigs. Native Australian kangaroos, emus and cockatoos visit regularly. The animals are popular with children and they can't wait to come back to see their favourites again.

Ducks

Free range and fertilise as they go, so watch your step, particularly before going inside the cottages.

Guineapigs

The local lawnmowers who free-range, except the ones in the Guinea piggery, where babies can often be found.

DonkeyS

Taco loves being the centre of attention and will steal food from his mates! Dot Com has a great set of lungs and she will greet you with a loud bray!

Pigs

The vacuum cleaners of the farm who will love your food scraps! Teacup, the white one and Pepper, the black one will have grunting matches and fight over food one minute, then snuggle up to each other, the next.

Alpacas

Alan is the blue-eyed, smaller one, of the three, who’s often pushed aside by the more confident & larger Mac and Pac duo. They love special alpaca muesli which you can feed them by hand. See Andy about getting their special food.

Cockatoo

Dennis, the Cockatoo, can be found next to the guineapiggery. He is a bachelor, who keeps to himself and enjoys coming to say hello each morning when he accepts his almond treat from Andy.