Some of the most memorable holidays as an Aussie kid are spent walking around a campsite barefoot with grass between your toes, swinging from trees, searching for tadpoles, and toasting marshmallows. But what if your parents aren’t campers and prefer the creature comforts of home?
In just three short years, Ashley and Carly Clark have created something truly unique at Splitters Farm in Sharon. It’s a working farm, animal refuge and holiday park in one, where you can rough it in your own tent, bring your caravan or enjoy a little bit of luxury in a glamping tent (on the cover). Day visitors can get up close with cute farm animals, while holiday makers might collect eggs or get into the paddocks to help train a horse and cut the sheeps’ feet. “I think we often take our Australian lifestyle for granted, so we set out to create a farm stay that had wow factor and catered for everyone; whether they’re seasoned campers or first-timers,” Carly said.
Splitters Farm doesn’t run to a strict timetable – they customise activities to suit the guests they have at the time and the farm jobs that need doing on any given day. “We want all our visitors to feel like an extended part of the family and see what goes into running a farm,” Carly said. “We make damper; kayaks are available for a paddle in our beautiful creek (see contents page) and we run an outdoor cinema under the stars, screening family classics and iconic Australian flicks. Keep an eye out for Pickles the possum in Fort Blair, which was built by Ashley’s talented dad, Terry.”
Carly and Ashley are adding more glamping tents along the picturesque creek front in time for the Easter school holidays, including one with mobility access. They also recently won a tender to take back and publicly display the iconic wood carvings of Ashley’s late grandfather, Arthur ‘Nobby’ Clark. Denizens of the Deep is a series of intricate carvings made from local timbers that beautifully depict coral and other marine life. The future of the sculpture became uncertain several years ago when the Region’s councils amalgamated and the Bargara service centre was repurposed. Work will start on a purpose-built facility for the sculpture at Splitters Farm in 2022.
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Splitters Farm is located at 205 Blairs Road, Sharon