Connect. Create. Collaborate.
The Barn | Coolgardie is Australia’s first corporate retreat space that fully integrates the expertise of top strategic designers with a hinterland getaway like no other.
Traditionally, barns serve as an adaptable, multi-use hub for a farm and the surrounding community. We’ve expanded that idea by creating an inspiring workshop space and luxury accommodation for Australian businesses. Designed to radically enhance an organisation’s ability to connect, collaborate and create opportunities, The Barn | Coolgardie’s corporate retreat experience is far from business-as-usual.
The Barn | Coolgardie is a dynamic venue where people can come together, solve problems, stimulate new thinking and bring those ideas into reality. We call this cultivating value.
Dreamt of before the pandemic and constructed in the last year and a half, The Barn | Coolgardie is especially relevant as businesses work within a ‘new normal’. With more people working from home, the need for human connection and collaboration are as critical as ever.
Set on 200 acres of pastureland and rainforest, the secluded setting in the Ballina-Byron Bay hinterland provides an inspiring natural environment. With our in-house corporate experts from Design Farm Collective, our retreats ignite creativity and innovative solutions that move businesses forward. Each retreat is tailored to reflect your business’s objectives and aspirations. You decide how much of a role we play in your time with us.
We would like to acknowledge that The Barn | Coolgardie is on the traditional lands of the Nyangbul people of the Bundjalung nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
The BarnIn Detail.
Our hinterland corporate retreat space includes:
- 80 acres of cattle pasture and orchards with 120 acres of protected rainforest and koala habitat
- Accommodation consists of six deluxe rooms all with king beds and en-suites
- Optional glamping accommodation can sleep an additional ten people
- Open, creative space for workshops, including materials
- Projector & big screen, iPad, HDMI ports, speaker system and microphone
- 4G mobile reception, complimentary Wi-Fi and hard-wired internet connection available in each room
- Fully stocked pantry of snacks, teas and coffee
- Commercial chef’s kitchen including Ooni pizza oven, 4-burner gas stove, BBQ grill & hot plates, barista coffee machine
- Stunning stone fire pit with multi-level west facing seating – perfect for sunset gatherings
- Freshwater plunge pool
- Two par-3 golf tees
- Pottery wheel
- Walking trails
- Private chef
- 24-hour laundry service
- Land regeneration with ‘spray free’ herb & market gardens
- Optional onsite and offsite activities
- Dogs welcome on a case by case basis
Curated with the comfort of our guests in mind, our rooms are natural and luxurious.
Featuring six stunning en-suite bedrooms, guests will discover a special space where they can unwind, contemplate the day and star gaze at night.
The two upstairs bedrooms offer the ultimate experience, with baths positioned near wooden sliding doors that open to let in gorgeous views. The downstairs bedrooms have direct outdoor access onto wooden decks for daytime or evening lounging.
Five of our bedrooms have a King bed or can be arranged as two King singles. The other room is accessible for wheelchairs and has a King bed. A total of eleven people can sleep in The Barn.
Our space has been consciously constructed so that it can be reconfigured to reflect the requirements and objectives of your time with us. For larger groups, or for those who want to further immerse themselves in the natural surroundings, we offer Glamping accommodation. An additional ten glamping tents can be arranged in close proximity to The Barn.
The Barn is fully equipped for your professional needs.
With traditional barn doors milled from wood on the land (it took eight men to move each one!), enjoy inspiring vistas from our main workshop space. To the west you’ll see the valley and to the east, the gardens.
Open and airy, there is plenty of space for a large group or for breakouts. Our handmade wooden tables can be arranged to suit any activity. All guests have access to free Wi-Fi and our brand new A/V system. Project presentations and live documents as you work together to realise the goals you have set out for your time with us. We offer a number of packages to suit the level of involvement you would like us to have.
We pride ourselves on offering some of the best food and drink in the Northern Rivers.
We offer fully catered and personal chef experiences, with an emphasis on using local produce wherever possible. We have also partnered with top local producers to offer snacks and beverages made in the area or in regional NSW. Our professional commercial kitchen is open to our guests. We want you to feel at home.
Spend your time with us or discover more of what the local area has to offer.
We have a large outdoor entertaining area, including a spectacular stone fire pit and two-level seating area. The fire pit and main balcony are great places to take in the sunset. If you want to hit some balls, we have two par-3 golf holes onsite. Our plunge pool will be complete by December 2021.
If you’d like a change of scene, we offer a concierge service for our guests to explore the amazing restaurants in the Ballina & Byron Shire. We can also arrange a host of activities such as surfing, whale watching (in season), golf, a brewery tour, 4×4 beach rides, horse riding, skydiving, hot air balloon rides, and other incredible experiences.
If you’re keen to further immerse yourself in The Barn, your team may like the activities we can bring to you: guided Aboriginal rainforest walks, pottery classes, axe throwing, circus trapeze lessons, a theatre production, yoga and meditation, wine/gin tasting, and more.
The BarnGallery.
The BarnFAQ's.
The Barn | Coolgardie can sleep up to eleven people. It has six suites, including one accessible room. Five of the suites can be configured to sleep two people per room. We also offer Glamping accommodation, with up to ten glamping tents available. They can be set up in close proximity to The Barn.
For overnight stays, there is a two-night minimum. The Barn is also available for daytime or evening workshops and events.
The Barn | Coolgardie is located twenty-five minutes from the Ballina Byron Airport, ninety minutes from the Gold Coast Airport, and a two-hour drive from Brisbane. The exact location and how to get there will be emailed to you before your stay, however if you have any questions regarding access then please get in touch.
If arriving at the Ballina Byron Airport, The Barn team can greet you at the airport and drive you to the property. The Barn team can also take you back for your return flight. If you are driving, The Barn team will give you detailed directions upon confirming your stay.
Yes, we offer a shuttle service. We also have two Land Cruisers available for hire
Yes, we have been approved as a landing site for helicopters from Ballina Byron Airport. Please contact us if you would like to arrange this.
We have free, high speed Wi-Fi across the property.
If you would like, we can design an ‘all inclusive’ experience. We cater for all dietary requirements, so please make The Barn team aware of any allergies or requirements when making your booking.
Check in time is 2pm and check out is 11am. Earlier check ins are possible; please check with The Barn team. Late check outs are subject to availability on the morning of departure.
Yes, we offer complimentary parking.
Yes, a plunge pool is available for the exclusive use of guests, from December 2021.
Yes, please email the barn@design.farm for your enquiry.
Dogs are welcome on a case by case basis. Please discuss with a member of The Barn team.
Get inTouch.
Please get in touch to discuss how our corporate retreat space can support your business goals and objectives.
- E: barn@design.farm
- 423, Coolgardie Rd, Coolgardie, 2478
Accessible location, wherever you’re coming from.
We are located 25 minutes from the Ballina Byron Airport, 90 minutes from the Gold Coast Airport, and a 2-hour drive from Brisbane.
