There’s nothing to see here, we were just taking an Alpaca for a wander – as you do! Look how serene and happy Braeden and Amelia look. Well, you know I’m always about telling you the behind-the-scenes truth so I’ll say that our experience at Mountview Alpaca Farm was fun and had us in fits of giggles but it wasn’t always serene. I believe in giving things a go, especially if it’s novel and a bit left of centre and this ticked both those boxes. Mountview Alpaca Farm isn’t just about tourists though, they also have a commitment to providing this experience to NDIS participants. Whether you live on the Gold Coast and you’re looking for a pet therapy activity for someone living with a disability, or you are visiting the Gold Coast and looking for an accessible day out, definitely consider visiting Mountview Alpaca Farm.
Mountview Alpaca Farm – accessible Gold Coast
Our day exploring the Gold Coast Hinterland included a stop at the Gold Coast Motor Museum where Hubby picked out many dream cars, we then refuelled at Stanley’s Barn Restaurant for lunch and we ended the day by walking alpacas at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, followed by a well-earned glass of vino and picnic in the cool of the trees.
My optimistic can-do attitude led me to believe that taking two alpacas for a walk would be totally fine. Yeah, on this occasion I should have taken a more cautious approach because wrangling two alpacas is somewhat like having two toddlers who run in different directions. It’s fun but challenging, especially when pushing Braeden in his wheelchair.
A bag of food is definitely a good incentive to get the alpacas moving but getting a photo of two alpacas and four humans all looking in one direction with smiles on faces (humans, not alpacas for the smiles) is near impossible. But you know what? That just adds to the memories and the laughs.
Two humans and one alpaca in a photo is definitely doable.
Mountview Therapy Alpacas
Mountview Alpaca Farm offers NDIS therapy sessions with their specially trained alpacas. NDIS clients and their carers can book a therapy alpaca session by calling 0490 973 865.
Did you know you can also book an alpaca to come to you? While for our family, taking an alpaca for a walk and having a photo was part of a holiday, Mountview Alpaca Farm and their resident alpacas give back to the community too with Australia’s first alpaca therapy program. Ed Sheeran, Tim Tam and Pancake were the first alpacas to visit South East Queensland hospitals, including Brisbane Children’s Hospital, and aged care facilities to put a smile on the faces of patients and aged care residents. Hospitals, aged care facilities and NDIS providers can book alpacas to come to a venue to visit residents or clients at a heavily discounted rate. Contact Mountview Alpaca Farm to find out more or to make a booking.
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards
While the alpacas are a definite drawcard, there’s another reason this makes a lovely day trip from the Gold Coast. You can combine an alpaca meander with a drop of the finest from O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard. As soon as you deliver your alpaca back to the crew from Mountview Alpaca Farm you can walk or wheel across to winery. We picked up a picnic hamper and a couple of glasses of wine and enjoyed the peace and tranquility at a picnic bench beside the creek.
Braeden mowed his way through the cheese at the speed the alpacas ate their feed and the rest of us got the leftovers. Aside from his feverish demands over the cheese it was a super relaxing spot to enjoy the live music.
From our picnic spot we could see all the shenanigans of people taking their alpacas for a walk which also proved entertaining.
Accessibility at Mountview Alpaca Farm & O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard
We didn’t need Braeden’s off-road tyres for our visit to Mountview Alpaca Farm and O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard but they would have made it a little easier to move around on the grass. As per usual, I wasn’t content with the closest, most accessible spot for photos and for our picnic, I chose the furthest away spot which did not help. Access is generally good at both Mountview Alpaca Farm and at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard and you can certainly stay much closer than we did to both the alpaca enclosure and the winery.
Ramp access is provided to the Mountview Alpaca Farm office where guests choose their experience and pay for it. A walk along the grass leads to the alpaca enclosure.
O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard offers step-free access to the shop where we picked up our pre- ordered picnic basic and glasses of wine. The shop has lovely gifts and local products if you are looking for a souvenir.
A unisex stand-alone accessible bathroom is located next to the shop.
Guests are able to sit at one of the tables on the paving near the shop or you can do what we did and traverse across the property to sit down by the creek.
Parking is available onsite.
We were hosted for both the alpaca experience and the picnic at O’Reilly’s but as always, our opinions are our own. Both venues have a lovely family-friendly atmosphere and it’s a wonderful relaxing way to spend a sunny day.
For our trip to the Gold Coast we stayed ULTIQA Signature at Broadbeach and you can read our review here.
Here’s some of the other activities we’ve enjoyed on the Gold Coast.
