CRACKENBACK FARM

Our Story

The Young family moved to Crackenback from Sydney in the late 1970's. The family spent the next two years designing and constructing the Guesthouse. Development restrictions in the area and subsequent legal battles delayed this process but it was built and became an immediate success.

The original 1800's McEvoy cottage became a small craft shop where Devonshire Teas were served. Demand increased and the business out grew the tiny cottage. Crackenback Cottage Restaurant was designed as a large replica and opened in 1982. The maze was built at the same time with the assistance of a New Zealand maze consultant.

After operating both the Cottage and the Guest House for a couple of years the Young's were approached to lease the Cottage. With four children, the Young's saw this as the perfect opportunity for some good family time so they agreed. The cottage was leased for 10 years to three different operators. At the same time membership became available in the guest house and this was known as Maneroo Farm Club (This club is no longer active).

When Sarah finished her studies and she began to operate the Guesthouse. After doing this successfully for four years, Sarah was in a position to also take over the restaurant. The place was in a very run down condition and needed a lot of TLC.

Sarah has worked extremely hard throughout the 90's as well as the past decade and has built Crackenback Cottage and Farm into an award-winning tourist attraction. Sarah was the winner of the 1997 Wendy O'Donohue Young Achiever in tourism award and in May 1998 was awarded the Executive Development in Tourism Program at the University of Hawaii. Some years ago Sarah purchased the Crackenback Cottage Restaurant complex from her parents and continued to expand the property including the creation of the chapel.

In 2004 Sarah decided on a change and leased Crackenback to Tania and Rob Ward who operated the business successfully for 3 years. Following this the Crackenback Cottage Restaurant, Chapel and Maze was put on the market and sold in 2007 to Kerry Henderson and Keiran Murphy.

Crackenback Farm is still owned and operated by the Young Family, for the past four winters Marg and Butch have enjoyed seeing lots of regular visitors and new faces and look forward to welcoming you to Crackenback Farm, if they are not at the Farm it is always in good hands.

Reasons To Stay at Crackenback

• Choose own ski area
• Stay in Award Winning Architect Building with only 7 rooms and excellent facilities
• Easily accessable from Alpine Way
• Unique High Country experience
• Friendly old fashioned service with special touches
• Comfortable and warm with open fires & underfloor heating
• Full Cosy Bar with Honesty system
• Family owned and operated for over 30 years
• Full Breakfast and Afternoon Tea included in Tarrif
• Dinner & Lunch (Crackenback Cottage Restaurant - sadly closed down by the owner at this time)
• Walk to Schnapps Distillery
• Giant Maze next door (Sorry, sadly closed down by the owner at this time)
• Massage availalble and heated plunge pool
• Ipod docking station, TV & DVD in all rooms
• Full Size Billiard Table

Reasons NOT To Stay at Crackenback

• No transport available - require a car
• Not an Apartment
• No guest cooking facilities or self-catering
• Not a large resort
• No BYO Alcohol
• No Laundry Facilities
• No on snow facilities
• No Childminding Facilities
• No Undercover Parking
• No / limited mobile phone reception for Telstra
• Unfortunately we are not equipped to allow Guests to bring Pets however close by there is a very pet friendly lodge.
• The Cute Room - # 2 – The Cute Room is a smaller style bed room ( Queen ) & bathroom is a basic small one.
• TV reception can be poor with limited TV channels available in some rooms in the rooms – The main TV in the lounge areas has a large variety.
• Property was built in the late 1970's if you are looking for a modern "brand new / fully refurbished" holiday experience Crackenback Farm may not be for you ... Not a 5 star luxury hotel.