Slowing Down at The Barn Scone
Floating in the infinity pool at The Barn Scone, paddocks stretch out ahead as mares wander quietly with their foals. Beyond them, the rolling Upper Hunter hills fade into the distance. My daughter surfaces briefly before diving under again, quickly claiming the pool as her favourite place. Within minutes of arriving, the pace of everyday life begins to fade. The Barn Scone is just under three hours’ drive from Sydney, making it an easy weekend escape from city life.
Set just outside Scone – widely known as Australia’s horse capital. The Barn Scone offers a rare opportunity to stay in the heart of thoroughbred country while enjoying the comforts of a beautifully designed rural escape.
Owned by the family behind Kitchwin Hills Stud, one of the Upper Hunter’s respected breeding operations, the property overlooks the surrounding stud land, where horses and foals form part of the everyday landscape.
Sleeping up to 14 guests, the accommodation is ideal for families or group getaways. My daughter immediately chose the bunk room, which sleeps eight and quickly becomes a favourite for younger visitors.
A spacious rumpus room keeps kids entertained for hours, complete with darts, table tennis and its own television – the sort of space where children happily disappear while adults relax elsewhere in the house.
Outside, the infinity pool becomes the natural gathering point. Behind it sits the barn-style home with its relaxed open living spaces and generous kitchen, perfect for preparing long, unhurried meals. In front, paddocks stretch toward the hills, with mares and foals moving quietly through the landscape.
For animal lovers like us, the connection to the working horse stud becomes one of the most memorable parts of the stay. The family who run Kitchwin Hills Stud are incredibly welcoming and, when possible, offer guests a behind-the-scenes look at the operation, including guided interactions with the horses.
Watching the young horses up close offers a fascinating insight into the region’s thoroughbred heritage. The Upper Hunter’s limestone-rich soils are one of the reasons the area produces some of Australia’s finest racehorses, and seeing where those future athletes begin their journey adds another dimension to the experience.
Inspired by the setting, my daughter and I also spent time in the saddle at Scone Equestrian Centre, a family-run riding school just outside town.
Our session included mounted exercises – even passing a large exercise ball between riders before heading off for a relaxed trot around the property. The ride proved surprisingly physical, engaging balance, coordination and core strength in ways that linger the following day.
Back at The Barn Scone, the rhythm of country life quickly took over again.
As evening settled in, the barbecue fired up while the hills slowly shifted colour in the fading light. A well-earned gin and tonic in hand, the view stretched across the property while the day gently wound down. My daughter, meanwhile, returned to the pool and stayed there until darkness settled across the paddocks.
Some of the most memorable moments, however, were the quiet ones. As huge animal lovers, simply being around the horses and their foals became our happy place. With staff supervising gentle interactions, we spent time up close with the mares and their young, a beautiful experience shared between mother, child, horse and foal.
Time around animals has a way of softening the pace of life. Without trying, the mind settles and the body relaxes.
After two nights and three days in the Upper Hunter, we returned home noticeably lighter – proof that sometimes the most powerful reset isn’t found in a wellness program, but in fresh air, wide country skies and time spent around horses.
Surrounded by mares and foals in the Upper Hunter, a mother–daughter escape to The Barn Scone proves that sometimes the best wellness retreat is simply fresh air, open space and time with horses.
For more information go to: www.neequestriancentre.com.au and www.thebarnscone.com.au
BY: Laura Csortan
