Little Farm of Calm - Benalla, Victoria

Fra V.

I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer at this wildlife sanctuary, and it was an experience I will cherish forever. Being able to interact with kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, possums, and other native Australian wildlife was both intense and profoundly rewarding.

A special thank you to Darren and Jill for welcoming me into their world and trusting me to be a part of their important mission. Their resilience and courage in running this project are truly inspiring, and I deeply admire their dedication to wildlife conservation.

This is a place where love for animals and nature shines through in every corner. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking to make a difference or learn more about Australian fauna.

Francesca

Chris T.

Had a wonderful experience at this retreat and highly recommend you take some time out to spend with the lovely Jill and Darren (owner/operators). We were made to feel very welcome and they are very warm and caring. The food is fabulous and so is the calm spaces. Note: they are currently in the middle of a severe drought and are having to buy water so if you’re going there please bring some bottled water to help lessen the burden and use the water for the animals. Thank you for a great adventure!!

Shell H.

A sincere thank you to Jill and Darren from Little Farm of Calm for a fulfilling weekend of delicious food, fun and calm!
A plentiful selection of activities to do (e.g reformer Pilates, paddle board yoga) that strengthen and nurture the body, and close contact with animals to relax the soul. Highlights of the weekend were the kangaroo (and wallaby and goat..) encounters, Daz’s self defence presentation and Jill’s jaw dropping knowledge of anatomy!
This really is a unique business which focuses on the health, needs and wellbeing of each guest.

💧 Please note for anyone visiting the Farm soon that Benalla is currently in drought and the Farm is presently having water delivered at a charge. Even though the owners insisted that we didn’t need to, may you consider bringing along some of your own drinking water. These folk contribute so much out of their own pocket to wildlife rescue, maybe you won’t mind a small token towards a bigger picture.
Oh, the magnesium salt pool is so nourishing for hair, you will likely not want to wash it until you get home!

Michelle M.

What an absolutely magical place! Hidden away from all the noise, surrounded by kangaroos, goats and 2 pet pigs - therapy itself. Darren and Jill went above and beyond to make sure our stay was flawless. Jill, an amazing yoga / pilates instructor takes you through each move step by step explaining which muscles, tendins that you are using - throwing some jokes in here and there to keep you distracted through any tough parts. All the while allowing you to take as many breaks as you may need. The choice of music in each class is so good too!! Home cooked meals were delicious and I never felt hungry as there are always snacks available. I really enjoyed the magnesium salt pool, red light therapy and the massage chairs.. the float tank was good too.
Observing all the beautiful kangaroos on a daily basis was something else!! Meeting so many beautiful people from all walks and stages in their lives was good for the soul !
Darren made sure that everything was set up on time and always had time to answer questions and have a chat.. i could say so much more!! I hope to be back soon. Such a relaxing weekend with beautiful hosts with big hearts!

Helen F.

Having just returned home from a 6 day retreat experience all I can say is wow!! I absolutely loved every minute of my experience. Jill and Daz put their heart and soul into making sure you have everything you need.
The experiences, the food, the animals, the wellness treatments, and the accomodation are
just part of the experience.
No words can express my gratitude and love The Little Farm of Calm ❤️

Bianca M.

I had the most incredible experience at this yoga retreat! From the moment I arrived, I felt an unparalleled sense of peace that I hadn’t experienced in years. The wellness facilities were top-notch—with a rejuvenating float tank, soothing red light therapy, and indulgent massage chairs, every detail was designed to help me relax and reconnect.

The retreat offers an impressive range of activities, from aerial yoga and pilates to even self-defence classes, ensuring there’s something for everyone looking to nurture both body and mind. But what truly sets this retreat apart is its dual role as a wildlife sanctuary. Interacting with baby joeys, a charming wombat, playful goats, and adorable pigs was an absolute delight. Joey feeding became a highlight of my stay, and learning the unique story behind each baby animal added a magical, personal touch to the experience.

A huge thank you to Jill and Daz for building such an amazing sanctuary of wellness and nature. Their passion and attention to detail shine through every aspect of the retreat. I wholeheartedly give it five stars and can’t wait for my next visit!

Allison W.

Leave all your pre conceived ideas about a yoga retreat at the gate and let yourself be completely surprised by what you get. Darren and Jill make you feel like part of the family from the moment you arrive. There is so much to do, or you can do nothing at all, there is no strict schedule, no pretentious vibe, just down to earth relaxation and rejuvenation. The rooms are comfortable and clean, the food is delicious and there is plenty of it. The aerial yoga is absolutely amazing, as are all the other activities. Did I ever think I’d be feeding a goat? No! Was I the first in line to do it again the next day? YES! I really can’t explain how much I loved this place. If you are considering a weekend away, give this place a visit, you won’t be disappointed.

Amber W.

I stayed at the little farm of calm with my three kids for the weekend and it was absolute heaven. Daz and Jill our hosts went above and beyond to make sure all our needs were met. The facilities like the magnesium pool, spa, red light therapy, salt floatation tank, Infrared sauna and luxe massage chairs were all such a hit with the kids and myself. The food was delicious and we were always so full after every meal, plus we could help ourselves to fruit and bread and other snacks all day if we wanted to, which was great for the kids. We loved the yoga, Pilates, self defence course and the ride around lake Benella, but the highlight was bottle feeding the baby joeys Jill and Daz had rescued and are helping rehabilitate. 5 stars isn’t enough, we give you 1000 stars. Can’t wait to go back again. The best retreat I’ve been to hands down.