Once used for storing chaff and machinery, some old farmsheds have found new life as a venue hire.
But the farming family that owns them, has taken things a step further with the Schusters wanting something unique for the Barns of Freeling venue package.
Cropper and hay producer Corbin Schuster, and his family, have established several accommodation options on site, including building three studios in silos.
They wanted to provide an experience where guests would feel they were entering a completely different world and with that the silo conversion idea for the expansion was born.
Corbin said they wanted the accommodation to tie into the esthetic of their historic grain silo, which is a feature on the property, driving up to the entrance of the function site.
"The best part about the silos is that with no supporting structure, they're actually a unit in themselves," he said.
"These silos here are actually meant to hold the pressure of 400 tonnes of wheat in a cyclone.
"But then we actually beefed up the internal structure, so the thickness of the wall sheets and the amount of timber on the inside and we have actually attached the timber frame to the outside of the silo.
"The original silos are meant to have a lifespan of 50 years and the builders have said this thing should not move for 100."
He said they had tried to include absolutely everything suggested during the build process.
"We tried to keep the silos cylindrical and the circular nature of the silo, with everything we've done from the sinks to the rounded bench, we've tried to maintain it," he said.
"It has all the amenities needed and we did everything to utilise the space including a full size bathroom with a bath.
"Each of the barn rooms and the silos have their own unique style but they are all similar."
Corbin said the best part about the whole area was the view would be different, depending on what time of the year, or even what year in the crop rotation.
"The crops are going to be different so the views are going to be different, it's constantly changing," he said.
They have also installed a "non-negotiable" in the silo design, in a skylight above the bed, which also closes electronically.
The whole site has the capacity to sleep 12 people, between the barn studios and the silos.
The accommodation is available for function users but was also available to anyone while the function space was not being used as a standalone accommodation space.
"That just enables people who are maybe from Adelaide or they've flown in from interstate, they can come and explore the Barossa Valley and the Clare Valley," he said.
The Barns of Freeling can be booked via their website.
Kiara Stacey
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
Journalist for Stock Journal. Kiara was in classified sales at Stock Journal before joining the editorial team in 2021. Kiara completed a Bachelor of Communication (journalism) at Deakin University the year prior.
