Whilst Jules and I aren’t farmers, we support Sheila Greenwell, a local former vet and all-round lovely lady, to rehouse orphaned animals. It’s great for our kids, and our guests love it too, so follow us on social media to keep up to date with the animals we’re taking care of.
We’re also pleased to announce a unique partnership with Sophie and the team at Banksia Park Alpaca Stud, Sophie is following in her parents hoof-steps and breeding award winning Alpacas for shows, pets and guard animals! Pursuing her passion for breeding, Sophie is one of only a handful of breeders in the country to breed miniature Irish Donkeys!
In our partnership, we become a mid-term home for the donkeys and alpacas to help them socialise in between breeding cycles. This gives us a great opportunity to have fresh faces. Sophie then takes on some of our well loved animals that as they grow may need a new home, such as our beloved cows, Chloe, Kitty and Kimmy who now graze with her other four-legged friends near Serpentine.
We hand feed the animals daily at 8am at the feeding station next to The Roo House, and there’s no extra cost. The experience lasts for approximately 30-40 minutes and typically ends with a truck ride (weather permitting). If you plan to join, there’s no need to pre-book but try to arrive on time – the animals wait for no-one therefore you may miss out on feeding your favourite animal!
We don’t feed our friendly animals in the afternoon but since they roam freely around our grounds, you’ll welcome to spend time with them during the day as you wish from 8am until sunset. Children must be with an adult at all times and please remember to shut gates since the animals don’t have access to all areas!
Please note we are not a petting zoo, this is exclusively for our in-house guests only and is just one part of the experience of staying with us at Margaret River Holiday Cottages!
We currently have:
> 3 Miniature Irish Donkeys Claire, Waffles and Sooty
> 3 Sheep including the very friendly Bluey and Bingo
> 1 new born orphan lamb, Charlie
> 5 Alpacas including Shelena and Gwyneth
> Boya the 5 month old rescue-calf
> Plenty of colourful fun chickens of various breeds and 4 ducks. The female silkies love a cuddle!
Occasionally we have a couple of kangaroos who venture onto our property and can be friendly.
The lambs and cows were all orphaned so have been hand reared and are receptive to human contact, especially a rub under the neck. The donkeys are curious and social, though may mistake fingers for carrots so watch where you pat.
The alpacas are social too, particularly our younger females (the white ones!) though can be a little shy so may not always love a pat, but happy to feed from your hand (yes, Alpacas can spit a bit, but generally it’s at each other and the other animals when fighting for food).
A couple of words of advice! Whilst our animals are very friendly and often enjoy human contact, with any animal we suggest you don’t linger behind any of our friends (ie backsides!) as they may kick out if they feel threatened. Best to stay where they can see you! They don’t like to be chased either, so if they walk or run away when you try to pat them, just leave them be, that’s them saying “I want to be left alone”. Please encourage children to be respectful when being around the animals.
