AS fuel prices rise and long-distance travel becomes less appealing, more Sunshine Coast locals are looking closer to home for a genuine break.
In the hills of Conondale, Seven Hills Estate is quietly emerging as one of those alternatives.
Owned by educational publisher and entrepreneur James Burnett and his wife Michelle, the 420-acre property offers a farm stay experience shaped as much by restoration as relaxation.
What appears at first glance to be a typical rural setting is, in fact, a landscape in transition.
“When we first arrived, it looked pristine,” Burnett says. “But what was happening below the surface told a very different story.”
Over the past decade, the couple has shifted its focus to regenerative farming.
Improving soil health, increasing biodiversity, managing water so it remains in the landscape longer. The result is a property that is not only more productive, but more alive.
That philosophy carries through to the accommodation.
Seven Hills Estate features three private lodges, each carefully positioned to maximise privacy and outlook across the surrounding hills, paddocks, and dams.
Designed for couples and small groups, the lodges offer modern comforts including full kitchens, fireplaces, and outdoor decks, while maintaining a strong connection to the natural environment.
Guests can expect quiet mornings, mist rising across the valleys, and regular wildlife encounters.
Wallabies, birdlife, and other native species are becoming more visible as the land continues to recover.
What sets the experience apart is that the farm itself is active. Cattle are moved regularly to support pasture regeneration. Native vegetation is being restored.
A syntropic food garden is developing using methods that mirror natural systems.
Visitors are not just staying on the land. They are part of a system that is evolving.
That difference is resonating with local travellers.
“We’re seeing more guests from Southeast Queensland,” Burnett says. “People who want to slow down without travelling far.”
With fewer interstate and international visitors, the focus has shifted toward the local community. Staycations are no longer a fallback option, but a deliberate choice.
Seven Hills Estate has kept its approach simple. Consistent pricing throughout the year, with occasional early-stay incentives to encourage first-time visitors.
For Burnett, the appeal is straightforward.
“It’s not about luxury in the traditional sense,” he says. “It’s about space, stillness, and the comfort of nature.”
And increasingly, that is proving to be enough.
