amanzi farmstays

---

Amanzi Farmstays invite young people from around the world to step into real Australian farm life on a beautiful 100‑acre spelling farm in Bundanoon, in the heart of the Southern Highlands. Here, 33 horses graze alongside wild kangaroos, wombats, foxes, white‑tailed bunnies and abundant bird life, creating a truly magical environment to live, learn and grow. We are also proud to be current hosts for Downunder Farmstays, regularly welcoming Japanese exchange students for short stays and sharing this unique space with them. 

Students become part of daily life on a working equine property, joining gentle farm routines and experiencing the pace of country living. Mornings may include greeting the herd, feeding horses, checking waters, wandering through the garden or helping with simple farm jobs that build confidence and responsibility. Evenings are for relaxing together over shared meals, wood‑fire barbecues, cosy indoor time or gathering around a bonfire under the stars.

Wild kangaroo herds move through the paddocks every day, with regular sightings of foxes, rabbits, wombats and many species of native birds. On clear nights, the open sky becomes the perfect canvas for stargazing, far from city lights, giving students a sense of wonder and deep connection with the land. The rhythm of the property allows students to feel both held and free, learning to trust themselves in a safe, nurturing environment.

The heart of Amanzi Farmstays is the opportunity to live alongside 33 horses on a dedicated spelling farm, learning about equine care, behaviour and the Australian horse industry. Students can observe professional horse handling, paddock management and the everyday realities of life with a large herd. Informal conversation, shared tasks and time with the hosts provide rich opportunities to practise English in a natural, relaxed way, building vocabulary and confidence day by day.

Beyond language skills, students gain a lived experience of Australian culture - sharing meals, celebrations and conversations, and exploring the local community in and around Bundanoon and the Southern Highlands. This immersion helps them understand local customs, humour, and way of life, and supports them to feel at home in a new country.

Amanzi Farmstays can host up to 8 students at a time in shared living, creating a friendly, communal environment where new friendships form easily. On the property, students can enjoy a wide range of activities: pool (billiards), arcade games, board and card games, darts, pickleball, baseball and soccer with one another and with their hosts. These shared experiences help break down language barriers and give everyone a chance to laugh, play and connect.

Outside, students can roam the paddocks, walk the farm tracks, help in the garden, or simply sit quietly with the horses and watch the changing light over the hills. When the weather is right, wood‑fire barbecues and bonfires offer the chance to cook together, toast marshmallows and tell stories under the Southern Highlands sky.

Bundanoon is nestled beside Morton National Park and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in New South Wales. Nearby attractions include Fairy Bower Falls, Glow Worm Glen, Erith Coal Mine and scenic lookouts such as Bonnie View and Beauchamps Cliffs. Students can also explore local markets, gardens and villages in the wider Southern Highlands, including Bowral, Moss Vale, Mittagong and Berrima, known for their historic streets, cafes, gardens and cool‑climate wineries.

Day trips might include visiting Fitzroy Falls, wandering through local markets, or simply exploring the charming township of Bundanoon itself. These outings give students a broader sense of the region, its history and its natural beauty, enriching their time on the farm.

Amanzi Farmstays welcomes both short‑term and long‑term stays. Short stays of 2–3 nights offer a taste of Australian farm life, perfect for travellers or students wanting a brief immersion in nature and horses. Longer exchange‑style stays of 3-5 days, 1 semester, 2 semesters, 3 semesters or 4 semesters allow young adults to truly settle into the rhythm of the farm, deepen their English and build lasting connections.

For students staying a semester or longer, parents will need to complete the relevant enrolment and accommodation applications with one of the local high schools or through the NSW international student program. Typically, this involves applying to the NSW International Student Program, providing documentation such as passport or birth certificate, visa details and evidence of suitable accommodation and welfare arrangements, and then finalising placement once the school accepts the student. Families can be supported in understanding this process and connecting with the appropriate school or international education office.

Safety, wellbeing and emotional support are at the heart of Amanzi Farmstays. Your host, Melanie, has been a mental health professional working with vulnerable people and children for the past 29 years and brings deep experience in trauma‑informed care, emotional regulation and youth support. Her husband is an equine professional with extensive experience working with horses and holds a valid Working With Children Check, ensuring that students are supported by adults who are both skilled and appropriately screened.

Together, they provide a warm, family‑style environment where students are seen, heard and encouraged as they grow in confidence, language skills and independence. With small numbers, shared living and a focus on genuine connection, each young person is welcomed as part of the household, not just as a visitor.

This program is designed for young adults aged 16 and older from any country who are curious about Australia, love animals and nature, and wish to improve their English while experiencing real farm life. It is ideal for exchange students, gap‑year travellers, or international students seeking a homestay‑style experience centred on horses and rural living.

For prices, detailed information packs, suitability assessments and any questions about length of stay or school enrolment, families are invited to contact Amanzi Farmstays directly. From the first enquiry to the final farewell, the intention is to create an extraordinary, heart‑warming Australian experience that stays with each student for life.