Xmas Rocks Venue & Events

23/08/2026

A little update from us at Xmas Rocks 🤍
Building something that is unfamiliar, uncertain, requiring full finance (and guidance) to build from the ground up, in our regional area, has been one of the steepest learning curves of our lives.
Our planning and development pathway hasn’t been as connected or clear as we would have hoped. There were things we simply didn’t know, questions we didn’t know we needed to ask to elicit the right answers and guidance, and no handbook to walk us though the steps. Parts of the process have been very challenging for us and taken longer to work through than anticipated.
As a result, we have been asked to wait until our full approvals are in place before we confirm further venue bookings.
The good news is — we are moving toward the end of that process, with lots happening behind the scenes.
We have been fortunate enough to run a number of functions, events and gatherings, and the success of those occasions, and the continuation of queries have shown us that our vision is validated.
We want to send a heart-felt thank you and appreciation to the special people in our lives who have backed and supported us and our vision.
While we are waiting as patiently as we can for our full approval to advertise, we are still very much welcoming enquiries. We’ve had a number come through recently for weddings and celebrations, we would love people to keep reaching out. It means we can stay in touch with you as we receive information now that we are near the end of the process.
Behind the scenes, we certainly haven’t stopped.
Our next improvement to the barn will be paving the front landing, creating a more practical surface for bands, a DJ, extra dance floor area.
Our equine arena was is close to completion… and then 80mm of rain arrived and reminded us who is actually in charge out here 😅 The roofed-arena will be utilised as part of experiential leadership and team building workshops.
Our intention is to continue re-investing back into Xmas Rocks — improving the barn, the surrounds and the holistic experience for the people who visit here.
Our vision is stronger than ever, and we have stayed rooted to our "Why". Xmas Rocks offers something we think is increasingly hard to find — privacy, space and genuine exclusivity for groups and gatherings.
A place for networking, learning and development, celebrations and personal and professional experiences.
Through Jess’s work with Attuned Co., there is much more taking shape in the background — Xmas Rocks is the home-base for Attuned Co's professional training and development for regional business and psychosocial consulting. She's one of Australia's leaders in equine-facilitated experiences for managers and leaders and teams; women's development; couples connection experiences, and family workshops with the horses (non-ridden).
Like any business with an ABN, there is an intention to generate income, reinvest, grow and create something sustainable here on our farm. Rather than choosing to start an intensive, high value crop or livestock enterprise, we have chosen to set aside a relatively small area and diversify into another form of on-farm enterprise — one that uses the assets, landscape and character we already have, in a different way.
We’re committed to working alongside other local businesses and services, because strong regional communities are built when businesses support businesses. In the Tatiara and Upper Limestone Coast, “business” takes many forms — it’s the neighbouring farm selling their primary production products, the local hotel, the coffee van, the hairdresser, the contractor, the accommodation provider, and businesses like ours choosing to diversify in a different way.
Visitors to the barn will flow into local catering, accommodation, food and beverage suppliers and other services. The more reasons we can collectively give people to visit, stay, spend and return to our region, the stronger our local economy becomes.
We have been quieter than usual while we navigate the approval process, but our quiet doesn't signal our standing still, there is so much happening here behind the scenes.
If you have been considering reaching out to enquire, please don’t hesitate to do so. We would be very happy to keep you in the loop as we move through these final stages.
We're looking forward to being able to officially launch the venue in the coming months.
Thank you, too, to everyone who has continued to encourage us, recommend us and believe in what we’re creating here, we value you more than you know.

🤍
Scott and Jess

22/08/2026

08/05/2026

We tested out the diesel heater to combat the biting southerly wind yesterday. It did well to take the cold out of such a big space with a high roof for 2 days of team meetings in the barn.

26/04/2026

It was a pleasure to have friends celebrate their combined 60th at Xmas Rocks Venue last night. The NW windy afternoon dropped off to a perfectly warm, still evening for this special gathering. The barn hosted its first live musician Dave Blackett who was incredible! We weren’t sure how the sound and acoustics would go in the barn combining live music and conversations between guests, but it was perfect. Thank you Alicia and Geoff for a wonderful evening, it was special and memorable, happy birthdays 🎉🖤💛