A 1921 limestone barn, restored to perfection and set among the rolling countryside of Freeling. Now available for weddings, events and corporate functions.
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Capacity of 100 people.
Had a long week?
Need a quick getaway?
A chance to rest, relax and reset?
We're only 45 minutes from Adelaide, in between the Barossa and Clare valleys and what's more, we have views like this 😉
https://www.thebarnsoffreeling.com.au/rooms
Clear winter evenings and starry night skies 😍
Have you considered booking a winter getaway?
https://www.thebarnsoffreeling.com.au/rooms
As the action winds down from another fantastic wedding/function season, things are on the move just outside The Barns.
We're busy planting (the much requested) canola in the paddock surrounding, so fingers crossed we get some rain soon and then later on in Spring, we'll have fields of gold for as far as the eye can see 😀
Second photo gives you an idea of the size of a canola seed.
Pretty spectacular view tonight from the main lawn at The Barns 😮
Orora Australis visible this evening.
Some beautiful sunsets lately here at Freeling.
Nice to sit on the balcony of the silos with a sip in hand as the sun goes down on another day.
Have you put your work assignment on hold while the kids are on holidays???
Well, now they are back at it.....you've had a week to get back in to routine.....its time to get your work done!
Come and stay a night or two with us at The Barns of Freeling.....we wont disturb you.....bring along some food, lock yourself in with your laptop and get that assignment done!
We are only about an hour from Adelaide via the Expressway so you are not too far from the kids and grandparents if they are available to help you out!
To book, head to thebarnsoffreeling.com.au
We would love to have you stay.
SUNFLOWER PATCH HAS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024
As the sun sets on this year's sunflower fundraiser, we'd like to say thankyou to everyone who has attended, picked a flower, left a donation, posted a photo and also an even bigger thankyou to those that gave our flowers some water!
We have raised just over $4,500 (it is actually a LOT of coins!) which will all go towards the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Great work everyone!
Thanks again,
The Barns of Freeling Team.
Oh what a beautiful morning!
Isnt it wonderful to have it cool.
The flowers have responded to the cool too. I honestly thought theyd have been wiped out by yesterdays weather but some are still looking good so it is not too late for a visit if you wish to…….we are open from sunrise to sunset…….
Have a great weekend!🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
Well, the heat has sure given us all a hard time this week and also some of the sunflowers....some of the older ones are looking a little worse for wear, some are still okay and some are still to bloom......
In the past, when we have picked the unopened buds and put them in water they have still opened so feel free to pick one of them......
Also, if you have parrots and can see a sunflower with seeds in them, feel free to take some home for your birds- just pop the gold coin donation in the tin if you would please
Thank you to all who have come for a visit!
One thing we have enjoyed about the sunflower fundraiser over the last few years, is meeting the people who visit our patch and having a chat with them about what they do and why they've come - and also being able to share our story too.
Whilst refilling the water and shifting the bale art this morning we caught up with Owen, a bee keeper (apiarist) from 3 Boys Honey.
The sunflowers attract the bees and the bees attract the bee keepers it seems!
It was great to learn about honey production, the life of a bee and also the story behind Owens business - Bee sure to check out their page!
Big THANK YOU to all who have visted to pick and also water the sunflowers....we still have some flowers that bloomed last week that are showing their gorgeous yellow petals and we also have quite a few that are still to bloom so if you would like to visit, please do-
they should last until the weekend if the weather stays not too hot- and with people watering the plants, they are more resilient....
It has been wonderful to see some little tackers out in the flowers with the watering cans..... a nice time spent.
Thank you once again to everyone who has come along and made a donation. We are currently around $2000 which is amazing and will be greatly appreciated when handed over to the Cerebral Palsy people.....every dollar makes a difference!🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻
Really happy to have Craig Fowler back again this year to turn our bales into an epic photo background.
Brilliant work as always!
Make sure to grab a picture in front of the artwork when you visit the sunflower patch!
SUNFLOWERS!
(Long post, but all the information you need is below)
This year, we thought we’d try and be sneaky.
Thanks to a solid rain in late November/early December, we decided to roll the dice and plant some sunflowers without telling anyone…Although mother nature had other plans…because since we planted those seeds…it hasn’t rained!
However!
Sunflowers are a resilient little plant, they’ve pushed on through and the patch is looking rather good….good enough for another fundraiser....But we do need your help!
This year our “pick a sunflower for a gold coin donation” fundraiser will have a twist.
When you pick a sunflower, please leave a gold coin donation, but also, we request that you water another sunflower nearby, so that the next visitor can enjoy a sunflower too.
Water and watering cans will be provided next to the donation box.
WHO ARE WE RAISING MONEY FOR?
This year all proceeds will be going towards the Cerebral Palsy Alliance
From their website -
“Cerebral Palsy Alliance helps to deliver therapy, programs, equipment and research to support children, young people and adults living with cerebral palsy”
HOW DO I GET THERE / WHERE DO I PARK?
The sunflower patch is located on the Southern side of Templers Road, just west of Freeling.
Parking is in the paddock, look for signs (or bales pretending to be signs).
We have included a map in this post showing where access to the sunflower field is too.
Also, this weekend and next weekend we have private functions at the barns, so the entire barns complex will be closed to the public.
WHEN IS THE SUNFLOWER PATCH OPEN?
We will be open until sunset today (Friday), then from sunrise to sunset each day until all the flowers are picked. Keep an eye on this post as we will update the progress as the sunflowers are picked.
WHERE IS THE DONATION BOX?
Donation box will be located next to the watering cans and the sunflower artwork
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Entry to our sunflower field is free, all we ask is that you donate a gold coin (or more if you wish) for every sunflower you pick – oh, and don’t forget to water another sunflower plant too, so it’s ready for the next person!
Finally, we just need to put in the reminder that sunflowers are flowers, flowers have pollen, bees love pollen…thus, there are and will be some bees hanging around our sunflower patch, so “Bee” careful and try not to disturb them!
Enjoy!
The Barns of Freeling Team.
If you dont know what to get a loved one for Christmas, it is not too late to get a voucher to stay at the Barns of Freeling either in a barn suite or a silo.
Come and have a relaxing time in a unique location...we are only an hour from Adelaide.... a short drive to the Barossa Valley... and not really too far from the Clare Valley....
Vouchers can be for a certain amount or for a one night or two night stay.
Head to [email protected] to arrange a gift voucher.
Meantime, have a look at thebarnsoffreeling.com.au
Blessed Christmas to all!
First job of the morning...get the lawn mowed before the rain arrives!
Just want to let people know that we probably wont have sunflowers this year......As farmers, we want a dry November and December so that we can harvest our crops that we have tended to all year.....on occasions we get a wet harvest eg. the last 2 years.....they say if life gives you lemons you should make lemonade....well, the wet soil gave us the opportunity to grow sunflowers, initially just to look good around the barns and give wonderful photo opportunities for the newly married couples..... this morphed in to an incredible opportunity to raise some funds for charity and also gave people the chance to have some inexpensive time out with friends and family and contribute to charity also.....Heartkids and the KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation so far....... Thank you sincerely to everyone who has visted and contributed to the fundraisers. It will happen again one day- if not sunflowers.... the season is coming near when we will have canola in the paddocks surrounding the barn and those gorgeous yellow flowers are great for photos!
Great to have Zak and his team from Rural Contracting Group back at The Barns today - They are the ones responsible for the awesome looking post & rail fencing surrounding the silos and Western carpark.
We've got them back to install a perimeter fence around the main lawn and garden...not to keep future wedding guests in...but to keep future sheep out (in the paddock!)
String lines are all set up to ensure the fence is perfectly straight, now just awaiting the concrete truck!
Guests staying in the barn or silo accommodation at the Barns of Freeling now have access to the common room, located on the Western end of the barn suites.
Inside, you'll find comfortable chesterfield couches, a full sized billiard table and TV, allowing you to unwind, relax and mingle with other other guests.
Bookings are open for mid-week stays, so if you'd like to know more, just visit -
https://www.thebarnsoffreeling.com.au/rooms
A welcome drop of rain for the crops around Freeling - and the clouds that delivered it gave us an excellent view from the private courtyards of the Barn Suites.
Green fields, as far as the eye can see.
*in winter and spring* 😉
Very chuffed to have been able to host J.T Johnsons from Kapunda at The Barns today for their "100 years of business" celebration, 1923 to 2023.
Johnsons are a hay exporter, stockfeed manufacturer and a respected part of the local community in our region.
We wish them and their team all the best in the future and while we're at it...we'll get the diary out and book them in for their 200th anniversary celebration 😉
"If only we could find the perfect venue for our wedding/special occasion/corporate show, I just wish the universe would give us a sign...."
May we present...our new sign!
Day or night, you'll find us!
It seems our paddock art from earlier this year was seen by the folks at Google Earth/Google Maps! 😬
Spring is upon us!
Just in time for our first wedding of the season - and what a perfect day for it!
Be sure to tune into South Aussie With Cosi tonight at 5:30pm on Channel 7!
We love sharing photos of The Barns on social media, but nothing beats a professionally filmed TV segment!
Enjoy!
🔬 Exciting News! The KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation and patrons of the Barns of Freeling are joining forces to support KCNT1 research at the University of South Australia! 🔬
🌟 The Barns of Freeling, led by Gavin and Sherinne Schuster, hosted a remarkable event where over 1,300 people gathered to water and pick sunflowers, generously donating to a rare form of epilepsy. Their incredible act of kindness has made it possible for us to partly support crucial research focused on KCNT1-related epilepsy, a rare genetic condition affecting children in Australia and worldwide. 🌍
💡 Professor Leanne Dibbens from the Epilepsy and Neurogenetics Group at the University of South Australia will lead the research which aims to identify new treatments for KCNT1-related epilepsy by testing the effectiveness of existing drugs in blocking the overactivity of KCNT1 channels using cell models. Professor Dibbens and her collaborators will also conduct further preclinical and clinical studies to translate the findings into clinical use.
🙏 We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Schuster family, the Barns of Freeling, and the generous donors and gardeners who rallied together during Rare Disease Week and Gold Coin donation days to support our cause. This research holds immense potential to transform the lives of those affected by KCNT1-related epilepsy. 🌈
ℹ️ To learn more about the KCNT1 Epilepsy Foundation and join our mailing list, please visit: https://kcnt1epilepsy.org/subscribe
ℹ️ For more information about the Barns of Freeling and their incredible work, visit:https://www.facebook.com/TheBarnsOfFreeling
To contribute to this reach at University of South Australia: https://giving.unisa.edu.au/international-donations/
Let's spread the word and support this critical research effort together! 💙
After a week of great weather, the countryside is looking fantastic as we approach wedding season 👌
✅️ Ticking off a few more projects, widening the driveway and finishing the entrance fence.
A great aerial photo taken by pilot Nick of Barossa Helicopters 👌
Well, this is a first.....and hopefully not the last!
Thanks Barossa Helicopters 😃 .
And finally, it's reveal time - A project 3 years in the making!
We would like to present to you all, the final stage of The Barns of Freeling - "The Silos".
A huge thankyou to the following (And many more!) for helping us to bring this dream to reality.
Architect - JBG Architects
Builder - Bishop Building
Silo supplier - Ahrens Rural
All furnishings - Decor Made Easy
Landscaping - Levant Outdoors
Mature trees & Garden expertise - Paul Engel
And the South Australian Tourism Commission !
It was our original intention to create something unique, something which would keep with the rural character of Freeling, but with a touch of luxury - we hope that our offering, 3 two-story silo suites, can be enjoyed by wedding guests and visitors to our great region!
Have a browse through these amazing photos by Ben Huckstepp Photography and see what you think!
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Today officially marks 3 years since we hosted our first wedding here at The Barns. Our journey began with a phone call out of the blue - wondering if we could help out a lovely couple, Jane and Dave, whose chosen venue for their wedding ceremony had been impacted by a winter storm. Fast forward 3 years (!), time has flown by and through our partnership with the amazing people at VENYU, we've hosted some incredible weddings and functions here! After a recent 3 month closure, our kitchen upgrade and garden extension are now completed - with the barn accommodation not far behind. We look forward to the next few years of weddings here at The Barns and helping the couples we work with to create their perfect day! *Once the accommodation is 99% completed, we'll post another video tour of the place 😃
Quick video update on the 'Accommodation Project' at The Barns.
Lentil harvest time! A bit of a dusty job, so we'll get as much done today before a big day at the barns tomorrow 😀
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The barns were built in 1921 by Heinrich Bros. builders. They were built for Mr John E Neldner who farmed the land and also operated a Chaff mill in the town of Freeling. Limestone used in the walls was all sourced locally, having been dug by hand from nearby paddocks. The bluestone was sourced from the Greenock hills and transported back by horse and wagon.
The Jarrah room was used for the cutting and storage of bulk chaff. The bulk chaff was then loaded out, using large (18 inch wide) wooden shovels.
The majority of the Gallery room was used to store machinery; there was a German wagon and other horse drawn machines like hay binders and a harvester.
Far end of the building was where grain would be cleaned using a winnower.
Outside at the western end, beyond the jarrah room is the original horse water trough. The working horses were housed closer to Freeling but the teams would be brought to this trough during the day for a drink.
The Schuster family (Edgar & Alma, Merv & Valray and Gavin) purchased the land where the barns are situated in 1980. Farm machinery was small enough to be able to be stored in the barns back then. Some seed was stored in the jarrah room.
Farming practises have since changed, machinery has grown in size and the barns basically became obsolete- they were too small to store most machinery in-and just stood there, slowly deteriorating over time.
It was always a dream of Gavin and his wife Sherinne, to one day “do up” the barns. It had just never happened.
In 2007 we had a builder look to see if it was worthwhile actually spending money on them as we were very aware of their deterioration. His answer was a definite yes. He recommended we replace the roof and put on gutters to keep the water away from the walls. In addition to that, he said to clear away the soil that had built up next to the outside wall. Nothing was done! We had a young and teenage family and the priorities were their education and farming.
In 2013 we had JBG architects come and look at the barn. They drew up some plans. Once again, it went no further.
It was on a Sunday drive up the river in 2017, where the decision was made to actually get off our backsides and get things happening! We had celebrated a friends 40th birthday in a little old cottage that had been lovingly restored and it inspired us! Why not do the barn up, while we are young enough to really use and enjoy it. We discussed it with our (by then, older) children who were by this stage involved in the family business and they were happy for us to do so but not overly interested in the project at that point.
Our plans to purchase a nice caravan were happily cancelled! Money was diverted to the renovation and restoration of the barn- a terrific place we could use with our growing family. We planned to use it for gatherings with friends and family so as such, we needed a toilet, a place to wash your hands and a place to do dishes.
So we once again contacted JBG, honed the plans and took them to council.
Incredibly blessed to have Bishop Building come on board to do the restoration, their suggestions and those of our family-who were by then very interested and involved in the build and outcome- were all considered, many were implemented and we ended up with a finished product that we see today. We love the place and don’t regret a thing we have done. Not even cancelling plans for the caravan!!
The push was on to complete the renovation in time for the 60th wedding anniversary celebration of Gavin’s parents, Valray and Merv in 2019. Gavin and Sherinne’s whole family helped LeVant Outdoor Solutions with landscaping right up to the day before the party with planting, mulching and laying lawn as well as finishing off the red brick paving.
In the past 12 months since, we have had the wonderful pleasure of using the barns for family gatherings and celebrations with plenty of room for children’s games on the lawn. After many requests from others to access the space council approval was sought and now granted for the space to take on a new lift as a function centre not only for the family but for the local community.
