The farm
A few years ago, we took a leap of faith and acquired a 40-acre pastoral farm that captured our hearts. Nestled on Ngarrindjeri country, this land spoke to us—its whispers of potential were impossible to ignore.
Since then, we’ve poured our hearts (and quite a bit of sweat!) into rewilding the farm, cultivating native seeds, and supporting ecological restoration efforts across South Australia.
We’re not just about growing grass—we’re about growing hope, resilience, and a community united in reimagining our relationship with the land.
Since setting foot on this land, we’ve been on a mission to turn it into something truly special—a thriving, rewilded landscape buzzing with life.
A couple of the paddocks that once held livestock are now home to native grasses and wildflowers, grown from seed we’ve carefully propagated to support local restoration projects. We’ve established dedicated seed production areas, ensuring that species have a future, not just here, but across South Australia.
We’ve also been working hard on rewilding the farm’s ecosystem—bringing back the birds, the insects, and the natural rhythms that make a landscape whole. And it’s working. The Diamond Firetail finch, once missing from this land, has returned, a sign that we’re on the right path. Alongside this, we’ve been improving soil health, planting habitat corridors, and learning (sometimes the hard way) how to live in sync with nature rather than against it.
To future-proof the farm, we’ve installed a new water tank, because let’s be honest—droughts don’t care about our grand plans. We’ve also hosted a few workshops on rewilding and restoration, inviting like-minded folks to come and get their hands dirty (literally).
And, of course, there have been plenty of lessons along the way.
Fencing disasters, overenthusiastic goats, a pet cockatoo with a jet-engine impersonation, and the neighbour’s fire starting talents—all part of farm life’s charming chaos.
But through it all, we’ve kept going, fuelled by local yummy wine, big dreams, and a deep belief in what’s possible when we work with nature rather than against it.
What we’ve done so far
Future plans
We’re just getting started. Riverdale Farm isn’t just about restoring our little patch of land—it’s about big, bold rewilding dreams. Over the next few years, we’re rolling up our sleeves (again) and diving into some seriously exciting projects.
First up, we’re expanding our seed production areas, with a special focus on threatened native flowers. Think of it as a nursery, but for wild things that belong right here in South Australia. These seeds will help restore local landscapes, ensuring rare and beautiful species don’t just survive, but thrive.
Then there’s the rewilding of the Bremer River working alongside Seeding Natives Inc to restore a full kilometre of it runs alongside our farm, and we plan to return it to a flourishing, biodiverse ecosystem. That means planting, restoring habitat, and giving nature a helping hand to bring back the birds, frogs, and critters that call this waterway home.
But we’re not doing this alone. Each year, we’ll be hosting an Annual Planting Festival, inviting community groups, volunteers, and anyone keen to get their hands in the dirt to help us plant native species and restore vital habitat. Picture it—sunshine, soil, great people, and a shared mission to bring the wild back.
And because knowledge is power (especially when it comes to rewilding), we’ll be running six new workshops at the farm each year. Expect hands-on learning in everything from cultural burning (an ancient and essential practice for healthy landscapes) to native grass identification and seed collecting.
It’s a wild, ambitious plan—but that’s exactly how we like it. Want to be part of it? Watch this space. Better yet, come along for the ride.
