Our Story

Set on the edge of Ravensbourne National Park, Primrose Farm sits within a landscape shaped not just by farming, but by a once-thriving rural community.

This area was historically part of Palmtree, a small settlement that emerged during the timber and early farming years of the region. At its peak, Palmtree was more than just scattered farms. It had the foundations of a rural community, including a local schoolhouse and shared buildings that brought families together in what was otherwise a remote part of the range. There are still remnants of the old buildings on Primrose Farm 

In those early years, the land that now forms Primrose Farm played a role in the district’s timber industry. A sawmill operated on the property, connected to the Munro Tramway, a bush tram line that transported timber through the hills. The remnants of that era are subtle now, but the landscape still carries its imprint. When staying at Primrose Farm, you can explore that history for yourself. Inside the farmhouse, you’ll find a book with stories and references to the old tramway and the role this property once played in the timber trade. Step outside, and you’re free to walk the paddocks, and if you look closely, you may still spot traces of the old mill site and the path of the tramway woven quietly into the landscape.

As the timber industry declined, the region transitioned into agriculture. Like many properties in Palmtree and surrounding Ravensbourne, this land became a dairy farm, supported by fertile soils and reliable rainfall. 

Over time, as rural populations shifted and small settlements like Palmtree gradually faded, those community structures disappeared or were repurposed. The land, however, continued its agricultural life, transitioning from dairy into cattle grazing, which remains its purpose today.
When we first came to the property, it was this layered history that stood out. Our role has been to carry that story forward. We’ve restored and refreshed the farmhouse to offer comfort without losing its connection to the past. Today, it remains a working cattle farm.

Now part of the journey Primrose Farm offers something new, not just a place to stay, but a place with a genuine sense of history. A place where a sawmill once stood, where a small community once gathered, and where the story of the land continues to evolve.

And while much of Palmtree has faded into memory, its legacy lives on here, in the landscape, in the purpose of the land, and in the experience we’re proud to share.