The Highland Cow Experience:
Visit our friendly Highland Cattle in NSW, Australia.
Bookings essential.
Discover the Koolah Creek Highland Cattle Experience - a truly unique opportunity to get up close & personal with our fluffy family of Highland cows!
Welcome to Koolah Creek Highlands, a boutique Highland Cattle Stud.
At Koolah Creek, you can befriend, pat, brush and cuddle with friendly Highland cows, hand-feed them treats, learn about their care, & meet adorable baby calves in our private Highland Cattle Experience!
The Koolah Creek Highland Cattle Experience is offered as a private session only to ensure it is personal and intimate, tailored to your own interests. It is modelled on the natural flow of introducing our own visiting friends & family to our family of Highlands, for a truly unique & immersive farm experience. We are not a petting farm; we offer a unique opportunity to connect with these incredible animals.
As your hosts guide you through the picturesque farm, you’ll witness their special connection with each of their animals. During your private Experience, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Befriend, brush & cuddle the friendliest Highlands cows.
Meet the herd of breeding cows, and learn each of their names, personalities & stories.
See the newest additions: the baby calves!
Learn all about the behaviour and care of Highland cattle, the preservation of the breed’s heritage, and the role of the Highlands in holistic farm management.
Duration: approximately 1.5 hours
Koolah Creek is open to visitors strictly by appointment only - no visitor access without a booking.
We work hard to ensure our Experiences are safe & enjoyable for both you and our beloved animals! Our Highlands are living animals with their own personalities, thoughts, moods and feelings. The exact duration of the Experience and the level of interaction with the cattle will always be dependent on the cattle on the day. Children are welcome, and your visit will be adapted to ensure it is safe and enjoyable for groups of all ages. Entry fee applies to all children aged 2 and over (0-1 years old free).
-
Koolah Creek is located between Taree & Port Macquarie on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Australia - just 10 minutes off the Pacific Highway. An easy weekend escape from Sydney (3 hours from the northern edge) or Newcastle (2 hours)!
We are also near other popular destinations on the Barrington Coast, such as Forster, Gloucester, Barrington Tops, & Seal Rocks.
After booking your visit, you will receive detailed directions to the farm with your confirmation email. We are located on a dirt road (easily accessible for all vehicles!)
-
Harrington is a lovely beach village (25 minutes drive) with many holiday accommodation options - too many to list!
There are also some beautiful AirBnB listings nearby in the Lansdowne area.
Forster & Port Macquarie are both 40-50 minutes drive away, they are larger beach towns with plenty of holiday accommodation options.
For a budget camping option, Coopernook HQ Campground in the Coopernook State Forest is free and 20 minutes drive from us!
-
No, photography is not included in The Highland Cattle Experience - but we have a range of photoshoot experience packages.
-
While there's nothing we find more therapeutic than cuddling a cow, our Highland Cattle Experience isn't intended as therapy.
However, we do have a fully qualified Occupational Therapist in the family who runs several therapy programs at the farm. Click here for info on therapy at Koolah Creek. -
In all visits we will have at least one of our friendliest Highlands waiting to meet for you for brushes, pats, cuddles and treats.
Entering the paddock with our herd of adult cows is a possibility as part of the full Highland Cattle Experience - but it is not guaranteed. Whether you meet the herd in the paddock or over the fence is entirely at our own discretion on the day. It will depend on various factors like the herd’s mood, the size of your group and their ages.
You will still be able to meet & feed the cows through the fence, and 99% of the time there will be at least a couple of big cows who sidle up to the fence for a brush too!
-
Yes, children are welcome!
Your visit will be adapted to ensure it is safe and enjoyable for groups of all ages.
For example, we may ask that young children are carried at certain times during your visit, or meet some of the cows over the fence rather than in their paddock.Entry fee applies to all children aged 2 and over (0-1 years old free).
-
Enclosed shoes that you don’t mind getting little dirty (we are a farm - there will be grass, maybe mud, and cow manure!). We highly recommend gumboots.
Sun safe clothing, sunscreen & a hat, raincoat.
A water bottle & snacks if you need them.
-
Yes, we have a basic portaloo for guest use.
(Full amenities block with disabled access coming in 2024)
Paisley the Coo Plush Toys
Paisley is one of our gorgeous cuddly Highland coos - she’s the one our guests most often want to sneak home in their car!
Now you can take Paisley home with you! Add ‘Paisley the Coo’ when booking and collect your plush toy during your Highland Cattle Experience. Paisley the Coo Plush Toys come complete with custom Koolah Creek Highlands ribbon and eartag.
-
![]()
"My family and I had the pleasure of visiting Koolah Creek Highlands for a Highland cow experience, and it was absolutely wonderful. Hugh was incredibly knowledgeable, providing fascinating insights into the history and care of Highland cows. Lyn was also fantastic, making the experience even more enjoyable with her friendly and engaging personality. We had the chance to interact with the cows up close, and it was clear that they are well-cared for and loved. Feeding and petting and cuddling them was a highlight for everyone. The whole experience was educational and heartwarming. It’s clear that Hugh and Sarah are passionate about what they do, and that passion is contagious. I highly recommend this Highland cow experience to anyone looking for a unique and memorable day out. Whether you’re an animal lover or just looking for something different to do, this is a must-visit. Thank you, Hugh and Lyn, for an unforgettable experience. I can’t wait to visit again!"
- Shannon
-
![]()
"What an epic day! We were welcomed by Hugh on arrival who really made our day! The highlands were of course gorgeous and well looked after! we had some great interactions, and were lucky enough to see many new calfs on our visit. The work Hugh and Sarah are putting towards the property, cows and experiences doesn’t go unnoticed, we felt the experience was well worth the cost (if anything it’s underpriced) - at the end of the day it’s a private tour with the highlands, and Hugh worked really hard to get to know us and make our experience as comfortable as possible. We had such a beautiful day and are so grateful we were able to visit and see your beautiful cows. So thank you Hugh and Sarah we will remember this experience together forever!"
- Lots of love, Sarah and Bailey
-
![]()
“This experience is a must!!! From the moment you arrive at Koolah Creek Highlands, you're transported into a world where tranquility meets rustic charm. Nestled in a picturesque setting, this hidden gem is a sanctuary for the majestic Highland cows, known for their shaggy coats and gentle demeanor. Each one has its own unique personality, adding to the enchanting experience. The staff at Koolah Creek are not just caretakers but passionate ambassadors for these beautiful creatures. Their tours are informative, engaging, and filled with fascinating facts about Highland cow history and care. It's evident that they love what they do, and their enthusiasm is contagious. In conclusion, Koolah Creek Highlands is more than just a visit; it's an experience that touches your soul. Whether you're an animal lover, a nature enthusiast, or just seeking a peaceful escape, this place is a must-visit.”
- TD Media
-
![]()
"Koolah creek is an amazing place to visit! Up-close and personal experience with the most beautiful highlands🐮🌿 A picturesque setting where you can interact, brush, feed and learn so much about these gorgeous animals. It's a wonderful opportunity to learn more about their habits and enjoy their company. Hugh is wonderful friendly host, and I’m excited to see how the future plans roll out! Absolutely recommend and will be back ✨"
- Jordan McShane
-
![]()
"AMAZING afternoon learning all things Highland cows with the very knowledgeable Sarah 😍 Thank you for taking so much time to indulge our obsession and answer all our questions. Highly recommend this experience, love the private sessions which gives you such an intimate experience with the beautiful cows."
- Ashley Jones
-
![]()
"Most spoilt Highland Cows in Australia - I did the personalised Highland Cow Experience and it was amazing. Personalised, hands on tour with soon to be fully qualified vet and owner Sarah, was informative, with a focus always on the best welfare of the animals. This place is a resort for any highland cow and a great, informative, interactive experience for people of any age. It was so beautiful to see how well cared for these beautiful animals are and to have this amazing experience. Well worth a visit."
- Frmija
-
![]()
"We had the most beautiful morning at Koolah Creek Highlands. Such a magic place to get up close and learn about these special animals. Thank you so much for your hospitality, knowledge and warmth. Highly recommended."
- Katie Lee
-
![]()
"Had a wonderful experience today with Sarah and her beautiful highland cattle. Such a great spot and the passion she has for her cows is admirable. It was very special to get so close and personal to them. Until next time, Paislig, Bre, Lucy, Dolly and others."
- Dowsey Jo
-
![]()
"The Highland Cow experience at Koolah Creek Highlands is absolutely amazing! It's a unique opportunity to get close to these beautiful animals and interact with them in a way that you couldn't otherwise. The Highland Cows have the most beautiful gentle nature, making them perfect for this experience. You'll have the chance to learn about their behavior, feed them, and even get to pat them if they're comfortable with it. It's a truly unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves animals or wants to get up close and personal with these beautiful Highland Cows."
- Tayler McShane
-
![]()
"Best experience ever! Sarah was a fantastic and friendly host, my daughter Summer and I was given this experience as a gift by my husband and we still can’t stop talking about that experience. We did not expect to get so close to the highland cows, I was excited to just get to see them and I couldn’t believe it when we got to cuddle, feed and brush them. Best experience ever and we are definitely going back again - maybe every year for my birthday 🤗"
- Corinne Coe
Book your unforgettable private Highland Cattle Experience now!
Booking availability is generally released 3 months in advance.
We are currently booking out several months in advance. Please book early to avoid disappointment!
Register for our Experiences mailing list to be notified when new dates are released!
Beat the Summer Heat with our Sunrise & Sunset Sessions 🌅
Highland Cattle are most active and interactive at dawn and dusk - so the cooler early morning and latest afternoon sessions are the BEST times to visit us for the most interactive experience!
We avoid scheduling sessions in the hottest part of the day because the cattle prefer to rest in the shade rather than interact with our guests. Our region is hot and humid, with summer days regularly reaching 35°C!
Through Summer, every early morning & late evening we can be found out in the paddock until dusk spending quality time with our coos in the coolest part of the day. With sunrise from 5am and sunset from 8pm, there is plenty of light late into the evening.
