Inside Mona Farm: Art, gardens and luxury in the Southern Tablelands

Set on 124 acres of sculpted gardens and farmland in historic Braidwood, Mona Farm blends contemporary art, restored heritage accommodation, and curated comforts in a stay that’s as quietly luxurious as it is creatively enriching – even in the rain

A relentless downpour accompanies us on the three-hour drive from Sydney to the charming, historic town of Braidwood – and it doesn’t ease as we turn onto the long, poplar-lined driveway of Mona Farm. Just a short drive from Canberra and the coast, this 124-acre working estate is known for its sculpted gardens, immersive art collection, and beautifully restored accommodation. I’ve come with my family for the weekend – and it’s immediately clear that not even the rain can dull Mona Farm’s beauty.

While the estate is a popular choice for wedding buy-outs, it also offers individual stays in a collection of historic cottages and homesteads, ranging from one to six bedrooms. Each features bespoke interiors, views over gardens, paddocks or the lake, and a museum-worthy curation of works by celebrated artists including Ben Quilty, Dale Frank, Janet Laurence, Guy Maestri and Isaac Julien.

Shearers Quarters

The one-bedroom Shearers Quarters, which debuted in 2024, is a restored 1873 building tucked away near a neat vegetable patch – and our home for the weekend. Once a functional space for farm workers, the new retreat, designed with couples in mind, has been reimagined by architect Louise Nettleton, who has stayed true to its roots: original brickwork, timber floors and corrugated iron remain in tact, but inside, the comfort is unmistakably modern. There’s underfloor heating, air conditioning, a wood-burning fireplace, and a king-sized bed dressed in Sheridan linens and Bemboka blankets. An intriguing collection of vibrant, original artworks line the walls throughout – a prelude to the outdoor gallery that awaits on the sprawling grounds.

Thoughtful details throughout the space, such as a fully automatic coffee machine creating barista-quality brews and luxurious Hunter Lab toiletries, make the space feel considered but never fussy. This is, after all, a self-contained accommodation, and stays are very much self-sufficient at Mona Farm – there is no clear reception area and the only people we see during our stay are the manager checking us in at the room, housekeeping and the staff delivering our breakfast.

Dining at Mona Farm

As Mona Farm does not have an onsite restaurant, guests fill out a questionnaire ahead of their arrival, which includes the option to dine from a tight menu designed by Executive Chef, Keira Madeley. There are grazing platters, breakfast from the ‘Guest House Pantry’ – delivered in the morning – and a choice of four two-course dinners, which are pre-prepared and can then be reheated at your leisure in your room. We’ve opted for the rustic Premium Grazing Board for our mid-afternoon arrival, with cured meats, terrine, pickles and home-made bread from renowned local bakery, Dojo Bread. In the fridge is our dinner: tender stout-braised beef cheeks, Mona Farm garden greens, and a buttery, flakey apple tarte Tatin with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert.

Breakfast in the morning is a generous spread of Mulloon Farm free range eggs, Middle bacon, bread, house-made jams, whole seasonal fruits, sweetened yoghurt and Mona Farm’s own gourmet granola – but without any idea of when it will arrive (a knock at the door comes at 8:30am), we dip into our grocery supplies to satisfy our very hungry daughter, who starts the day like clockwork at 6am. A tip for future guests: let the team know your preferred breakfast time at check-in to avoid the morning scramble.

The charms of Braidwood

One morning, we make the three-minute drive into town for a cooked breakfast at The Albion – one of Mona Farm’s two sister dining spots – and take time to wander Braidwood’s charming high street. Grand colonial buildings line the main strip, home to a mix of cafés, antique stores, and galleries. There’s a creative, eclectic energy to this under-the-radar town: artists, potters, and designers have long settled here. We step into a vintage clothing shop, where the owner is dressed like a 1940s pin-up – waist-cinched skirt, crimson lips and meticulously set hair – and visit a spiritual gift shop brimming with self-help books, crystals, angel cards, and a tarot reader I’d have happily seen, had they been in.

Provisions Deli & Crêperie, Mona Farm’s other sister venue, is another quirky – and delicious – addition. Serving authentic, paper-thin crêpes and galettes, the menu hits the spot for breakfast or lunch, whether you lean sweet or savoury.

Life at Mona Farm

Back at Mona Farm during a respite from the deluge, we wander the grounds, where 50 contemporary sculptures rise among paddocks grazed by Highland cattle, Wiltshire sheep, Wessex saddleback pigs and Clydesdales. Among them are striking works by Australian and international artists including Peter Lundberg, Sonia Payes, Stephen King and James Angus – creating a bold, contemporary counterpoint to the natural landscape. Visitors can explore these artworks via a dedicated sculpture map provided in your room.

The enchanting gardens, cradled by century-old elms and lindens, feel simultaneously grand and intimate. Designed in the tradition of 18th century English landscaper Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown – best known for transforming the formal, geometric gardens into naturalistic landscapes – sweeping lawns are framed by woodlands and hidden paths invite detours under branched archways and through timeworn wrought iron gates. At the heart of the estate lies a serene lake with an historic Palladian stone bridge that’s home to rainbow trout and drifting ducks, its picnic-ready banks framed by a deck designed for celebrations – especially of the matrimonial kind. Nearby, Adirondack chairs are scattered for moments of quiet repose or unhurried conversation.

Guided garden and farm tours can be booked through the pre-arrival questionnaire, though it’s worth following up directly to confirm – while I’d hoped to take part in both, I didn’t receive any details during my stay, and with no reception, there was no one on hand to check in with. Other activities on offer at a cost include fly fishing on the lake, stargazing with s’mores, private dining experiences, and even scenic helicopter flights – all designed to immerse guests in art, nature, and quiet luxury.

Our stay, though, is all about the quiet and the cosy. Rain becomes an invitation to hunker down with a glass of red in the Shearers Quarters, and when it clears, the outdoor deck calls. There’s an alfresco fireplace, a generous dining table and loungers – but my eye is on the round Stoked hot tub, perfectly positioned above the Mona Stream, where ducks float by and the occasional platypus appears.

This is Australian understated luxury – naturally beautiful, unhurried, and full of charm. I’ll drink to that.

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Hotel Notes

Rates at Mona Farm start from AU$810 per night, or AU$890 per night in the Shearers Quarters. Weekend stays require a two-night minimum. The estate can also accommodate couples in The Lake House and The Old Stables, or families and groups in The Homestead, The Coach House, The New Stables and The Lodge.

Mona Farm is offering complimentary farm, garden and art tours in winter 2025. The Guest House Menu costs $89 per person.

monafarm.com.au

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