Wattle Bank Farm

Set among the rolling hills of South Gippsland, Wattle Bank Farm is the kind of place that gently encourages you to slow down. Not in a forced, switch-off-your-phone way, but in a natural, take-a-deep-breath-and-exhale kind of way. More than a working farm, it is a thoughtfully created space where connection to land, food, animals and people sits at the heart of everything.

From the moment you arrive, the farm feels intentional but relaxed. Open paddocks, productive growing spaces and quietly grazing horses create an easy balance between movement and stillness. There is no rush, no strict agenda, just a calming presence and plenty to look at. At Wattle Bank Farm, wellbeing is not treated as a single activity, but something that unfolds naturally through being present.

One of the farm’s most unique offerings is its horse-led experiences, including guided horse meditation sessions. Unlike traditional meditation, there is no pressure to clear your mind or sit perfectly still. Instead, the focus is on observing, tuning in and allowing the horses to lead the experience in their own time.

Horses are incredibly perceptive animals, sensitive to body language, breath and nervous system cues. Simply spending time near them has a calming effect, encouraging slower breathing, softer posture and a quieter internal dialogue. It feels grounding without being overly serious, which makes the experience accessible even for those who do not usually gravitate towards meditation.

Alongside the horse experiences, Wattle Bank Farm also offers hands-on, food-based workshops such as cheesemaking and mushroom growing. These sessions invite people to reconnect with food in a way that feels practical and enjoyable. There is something deeply satisfying about learning where food comes from, getting your hands involved and leaving with new skills you can actually use at home.

Importantly, there is no expectation around how visitors should show up. You do not need to be calm, knowledgeable or particularly “into” wellbeing to belong here. Whether you join a workshop, attend a meditation or simply spend time wandering the farm, engagement happens at your own pace. That sense of ease and openness is what makes the experience feel genuine.

Personal Experience: Horse Meditation at Wattle Bank Farm

My horse meditation experience took place on a windy Sunday in January. I was greeted with a big smile, a hug from Beatrice and Pete, and a warm cup of chai, which instantly set the tone for the day. We were encouraged to wander quietly through the garden, taking a moment to settle, reflect and connect with the space around us.

Beatrice then guided us through a meditation in the garden. While these sessions usually take place in the paddock, the strength of the wind made the garden the perfect alternative. Afterward, our group of around fifteen people, mostly calm, grounded women, made our way down to the horse paddock.

We were given notepads to journal and gently reminded to be patient, both with ourselves and the horses. There was no expectation that a horse would approach us, and no need to read into it if they didn’t. We spread out across the paddock and waited.

As someone with very little experience around horses, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Before long, a beautiful, calm and curious horse wandered over, gave me a sniff, a small nudge, and accepted a gentle pat in return. Despite being beside an animal weighing over 400 kilograms, I felt surprisingly relaxed and steady.

I wrote that the horse seemed to sense my curiosity. That while I felt unsure, I was open and genuinely eager to connect. I am very much a yes person, and this experience felt like one of those moments where saying yes led to something unexpectedly grounding.

I often find it difficult to fully switch off, but this was one of those rare times where my thoughts quietened without effort. I simply felt present, connected to the animals, the people and the space.

At the end of the session, we gathered in a circle and shared one word to describe the experience.

Connection
Surrender
Relaxing
Calm
Matriarch

My word was trust.

While meditation is not usually something I seek out, especially not with horses, this experience felt approachable, calming and genuinely special. It would suit anyone wanting to slow down, try something new, connect with animals, or simply spend time doing something a little different.

I finished my visit by purchasing one of Wattle Bank Farm’s oyster mushroom pies for lunch, which alone is reason enough to visit.

The offering Beatrice and Peter have created at Wattle Bank Farm feels thoughtful, welcoming and refreshingly unpretentious. With experiences ranging from workshops to an upcoming five-hour retreat in March, it was no surprise that many participants were already planning their return before leaving.

Beyond the farm gate, Wattle Bank Farm also supplies products to local stores, keeping production small-scale and values-led. It is a quiet but meaningful way of supporting a more connected and conscious local food system.

In a world that often feels busy and overstimulating, Wattle Bank Farm offers something simple and grounding. A place to reconnect, learn, eat well and leave feeling just a little more settled than when you arrived.

*Wattle Bank Farm will be opening its doors to the Inverloch Equinox Festival – only five minutes from the seaside town, unplug in nature and in the energy of horses.

Friday 20 March- Sunset Bush Poetry with Horses

Time 6:30 pm  8:30 pm

Tickets and information: www.inverlochequinoxfestival.com.au/whats-on/sunset-bush-poetry-with-horses

Saturday 21 March – Pony Experiences  and Farm Gate – Unplug with the whole family. Drop in from 10am-1pm

Sunday 22 March – Walk, Journal & Meditate with Horses

Time: 10:00 am  11:30 am  or 9-10:30

Tickets and information: www.inverlochequinoxfestival.com.au/whats-on/walk-journal-meditate-with-horses2