Have you been looking for something a bit different to do as the weather gets cooler? Well, Wildhand Farm is offering the cutest experience imaginable with their incredible Highland cow encounters. That’s right! At Wildhand, you can get up close and personal with the most adorable Highland cows—feeding, patting, or even snapping a selfie with these fluffy, long-haired beauties.
Located at Willunga Hill, this farm is a total hidden gem. The people behind Wildhand are Alice and Reece, who started the farm five years ago growing Australian Native Flowers on 25 acres, while homing a small fold of purebred Highland Cattle.
Although these incredible experiences are now a highlight of the farm, Highland cow tours were never part of the original plan.
“We never dreamt of inviting people up to the farm to meet and pat our cows,” share Alice.
“It all started when people started pulling up on the side of the road to hang out with our cows and take photos. We could see how happy the cows made people just being in their presence. It wasn’t until we started hosting flower workshops that the idea came about.
“During our first workshop ever, some of the guests asked to go look at the cows after the workshop as part of their experience. We had such a great time touring our guests around the flower farm and meeting the cows that we started doing it every weekend at our workshops.
“After building up trust with one of the cows, we were able to allow a few people to brush her. It got us thinking that maybe there could be a way we could offer this incredible experience on its own and continue to bring happiness to those who loved cows, especially the Highlands. So we opened up our Highland Cow Experiences thinking it might be a fun side business. Then it sold out 6 months in advance within a few weeks of starting up.”
At the farm there are a few different ways to experience the cows. One new option is a small-group experience, where you’ll spend an hour meeting the Highland cows with Reece as your guide. Then walk around the farm to see the other farm animals and view their Australian Native Flowers.
“We have a few other farm animals like a flock of heritage chickens that lay rainbow eggs,” shares Alice. If you’re lucky, you might get to meet the chickens and a few other special guests during the tour.
This experience takes place in ‘The Ranch,’ a purpose-built shed where guests can feed and meet the cows in comfort, sheltered from the incoming chilly winter weather. During this tour, guests can brush and feed the cows through the fence.
Also on offer is a more intimate private farm tour, perfectly made to spend with a partner or friend. While similar to the small group tour, here you can spend as much time as you like brushing, cuddling and feeding each cow in the same paddock as them. Finish with the option to extend your stay and cosy up for a platter of food inside the shed by the fire.
For families, there’s also a specially designed kids’ tour to introduce little ones to the farm’s friendly animals.
Not only are these tours just the sweetest—they also have a profoundly positive impact on people’s well-being.
“It’s very therapeutic. We’ve spent many hours building trust with our cows so they can be approachable and loved on even with their massive horns. They are gentle giants, some have goofy personalities like big puppy dogs,” Alice says.
Looking ahead, Wildhand’s long-term vision is to continue offering these experiences while breeding exceptional bloodlines, selling calves to hobby farmers as pets.
A big focus for the farm is trying to build biodiversity for the wildlife and really looking after the soil. Committed to regenerative farming, Wildhand remains entirely chemical-free—an ongoing priority for the farm.
What started as a simple love for Highland cows has blossomed into a truly unique experience, allowing visitors to connect with these gentle giants while supporting sustainable farming. Whether you’re after a fun family outing, a therapeutic escape, or an unforgettable close-up with these lovable creatures, Wildhand Farm’s tours are a must-do!
Wildhand Farm
Where: 19 Bishop Rd, Willunga Hill SA 5172
For more information, click here.
