Meet the locals – Sue and Ian Harrison, Stay at Kirro

For sixth generation locals the Harrisons, the Scenic Rim is all about family – sharing their family legacy, running their family business and being close to family.

The Harrisons have been in the area since the 1800s, in the days of the original Beaudesert Shire, when their family first settled in the region.

Now, Sue and Ian Harrison are continuing the legacy for future generations, sharing the beauty of the Scenic Rim through their gorgeous farm stay, Stay at Kirro, on their cattle grazing property Ladybrook Farm, in the Kerry Valley.

They run commercial beef cattle for export and local trade and they also sell their own bred cattle, which are processed in the Scenic Rim and sold at the farm gate on a regular basis.

When you visit Stay at Kirro, you’ll discover the farm is quite the menagerie, with horses, sheep and working dogs also there to welcome you.

The Harrisons breed Australian Stock horses for work horses and camp drafts and they have ventured into Speckled Park cattle, with the pretty calves proving popular with farm stay guests.

They run meat sheep for their grandchildren to have as pets and for Stay at Kirro guests to feed and learn about, and they also have a team of working kelpies to help with the farm work.

We asked Ian and Sue to share some of their local tips for the best places to eat, drink and relax in the Scenic Rim.

What do you love about the Scenic Rim?

We like living in the Scenic Rim because we can be close to our family and friends and close to the Gold Coast for holidays, because we don’t get away very regularly  from our properties.

Our children and grandchildren, being the seventh generation of the Harrisons, all play an important part in our farm operation. Even though they don’t live on the farm, they are just a phone call away if we need a hand to get hay in or brand some new cattle, or fix our computers.

What’s your favourite place to eat/ drink in the Scenic Rim?

We like to go to VK Everydays in Beaudesert for lunch, and one of the pubs in town (Beaudesert Hotel or Railway Hotel) for dinner.

What’s your favourite Scenic Rim spot?

Having a large cattle property, we tend not to go out that much. We attend all the local camp drafts and we love to go to Barton’s Rose Farm at Kalbar to have a look and pick up a new rose bush or two. We love any of the local nurseries, or just a drive around the Scenic Rim.