Reconnecting with Nature at Noah’s Park

Nestled in Carabooda, Noah’s Park is a place where visitors can step away from their screens, spend time with animals and reconnect with the people around them.

We recently spoke with owner Brad Johns to learn how Noah’s Park began, what guests can expect when they visit and what the future holds for this growing local business.

How Noah’s Park began

Noah’s Park began after Brad and his family’s original plans for their property changed due to subdivision and zoning requirements. As they explored other opportunities for the land, they discovered its zoning allowed for several possible uses, including meetings, receptions and a caravan park.

This sparked the idea of creating a farmstay.

“We started bringing animals onto the property, and Noah’s Park grew from there,” Brad explained.

The approval process for the nature-based caravan park has been lengthy, but the family has continued developing the property in the meantime. Noah’s Park now welcomes visitors through playgroups, small events, animal encounters and farm experiences.

At the heart of the business is a simple mission: to help people slow down and reconnect.

“You can travel just 10 minutes and feel like you’re a million miles away,” Brad said. “We want people to step away from their screens, escape suburbia, enjoy the fresh air and reconnect with each other.”

Brad believes this has become particularly important following COVID-19, when people became accustomed to isolation and doing more from behind a computer screen.

“We’re trying to encourage people to come back into the community and enjoy genuine, one-on-one connection.”

A personal farm experience

Guests visiting Noah’s Park can expect a relaxed, up-close experience with the animals.

Small-group farm experiences give visitors the opportunity to meet, feed, brush and cuddle the sheep, lambs and goats before spending time with the donkeys and Highland cows.

“You’re right there in the paddock with them,” Brad said. “You can brush them, cuddle them, take photos and spend time with them. Nothing is rushed, and everyone can enjoy the experience at their own pace.”

Brad also shares a little about each animal, including where the breed originated and the roles the animals traditionally performed. However, he is careful not to overwhelm visitors with too much information.

“People are here to experience the animals, not listen to me talk the whole time.”

Memorable moments

Some of Brad’s most meaningful experiences have involved children, teenagers and adults living with disability.

These visits are generally offered as private, one-on-one experiences, allowing each guest to interact with the animals in a way that feels comfortable.

“You can see the reaction on their faces,” Brad said. “Those are definitely the moments that stay with you.”

Another particularly memorable visit involved a woman who was brought to Noah’s Park as a surprise for her 60th birthday.

“She arrived blindfolded, and when she saw the donkeys, she burst into tears,” Brad recalled. “She was so overwhelmed that I went over and gave her a hug. Moments like that make it completely worthwhile.”

Meet the farm’s biggest characters

While the Highland cows attract plenty of attention, Brad says the goats have some of the biggest personalities on the farm.

“They jump around, climb into the buggy and even try to sit in the front seat. People can’t believe what they get up to.”

Another crowd favourite is Rambo, a Valais Blacknose ram known for his long, woolly coat, distinctive call and pink tongue.

“People might come to see the cows, but they often leave talking about how amazing Rambo was.”

The donkeys are also firm favourites, although choosing just one favourite animal can be difficult. When Brad asks children which animal they enjoyed most, many simply answer, “Everything!”

A day in the life at Noah’s Park

Brad’s day begins at around 7.00am with a coffee and the sound of kookaburras outside his window. Once the kookaburras begin calling, he knows it is time to feed the animals.

The rest of the day can include property maintenance, working on new projects, running playgroups, welcoming visitors and hosting animal experiences.

“There is always something new to do around the farm, whether it involves the animals, the house or the playgroup.”

The personal nature of the business also means Brad spends considerable time responding to enquiries and helping people arrange their visits. While the new website will make online bookings easier, he still values the personal connection that comes from speaking directly with guests.

“It can get hectic, but I don’t mind it. It feels more personal and less robotic, which is what we’re trying to create here.”

Brad and his family are also conscious of making time to rest. Noah’s Park plans to close during January, giving the family and the animals a break during the hottest part of summer.

“You can tell when the animals have had enough and need some space. They need time to reset as well.”

Proud to call Wanneroo home

Brad grew up in Wanneroo, where his parents built their family home near Wanneroo Secondary College in 1975. After later spending 17 years living near the beach in Yanchep, he now appreciates everything Carabooda offers.

“The larger properties out here are gold,” he said. “You can be in suburbia within minutes, but when you’re here, it feels like you’re in Margaret River. We’re also only about 10 minutes from the beach, so we really have the best of both worlds.”

With the northern corridor continuing to grow, Noah’s Park gives local families and visitors the chance to enjoy a rural experience without travelling far from home.

Looking to the future

The next stage for Noah’s Park is the establishment of four nature-based caravan sites at the front of the property.

Brad hopes to place comfortable, pre-set caravans on two sites for guests who do not own a caravan. The remaining sites will accommodate travellers with their own vans.

The original idea was to create a convenient and secure stopping point close to Perth, particularly for grey nomads and other travellers passing through the city on their way north or south.

The longer-term vision includes peaceful chalets at the rear of the property, offering couples a relaxing weekend escape. Noah’s Park also plans to apply for approval to host intimate outdoor weddings for approximately 50 to 80 guests.

“The idea is to offer a quiet country setting where people can say their vows and enjoy a relaxed celebration,” Brad said.

A new website is also underway, which will make it easier for visitors to explore the available experiences and book online.

Leaving with a smile

Ultimately, Brad hopes every visitor leaves Noah’s Park feeling better than when they arrived.

“People often arrive caught up in the rush of everyday life,” he said. “By the time they leave, you can see the stress has lifted. If they go home feeling relaxed and with a smile on their face, that’s what we want.”

And if Brad could spend a day as any animal at Noah’s Park?

He would choose Kylo, the family dog.

“He gets to meet and greet everyone, receives more attention than anyone else and, at the end of the day, gets to sleep inside on a bed. He has all this space to explore, animals to play with and plenty of love. That sounds like a pretty good life.”