With a vision to combine her love of education and farming, Narelle Zanker is offering South Australians an experience like no other.
Alongside her husband, Joel, she owns and operates Dairy Adventures, an agri-tourism business located right in their own backyard.
The business allows visitors to get up close with cows and learn firsthand where milk comes from, offering a hands-on glimpse into life on a modern dairy farm.
Mrs Zanker grew up on her family’s dairy farm and then went on to spend four years as a full-time teacher.
While she loved both teaching and farming, she knew she could not pursue both full time.
Guided by a lifelong dream to share farm life with others – and encouraged by her husband – Dairy Adventures came to life and is now celebrating its first year of operation.
The business provides a unique and immersive experience that goes far beyond simply observing farm life.
It caters to a wide range of visitors, including school groups, families, aged care residents, and corporate teams, with activities tailored to suit each group’s interests and needs.
Guests can bottle-feed calves, hand-feed a pet cow named Elvis, fill buckets of grain, tour the dairy, and even try milking a cow.
Mrs Zanker said Dairy Adventures offered visitors an interactive opportunity to experience modern dairy operations in a personal and educational way.
“I still get that connection with people and then rather than educate them about subjects and the curriculum, I can just focus solely on what I am passionate about – dairy farming, cows and farming in general – and give people an exposure in a hands-on and interactive way,” she said.
“It’s not just about seeing the cows; it’s about understanding where our food comes from and the work that goes into running a farm.
“We want people to leave with a deeper appreciation of farming and a memorable experience they can talk about for years.”
Mrs Zanker said the flexibility of the business model had allowed it to attract visitors from across South Australia, from school excursions and corporate team-building events to families seeking a unique day out.
Behind the business is a strong foundation of family support, which has been crucial to its growth and operation.
Mrs Zanker works closely with her husband and parents on the family farm, combining operational management with hands-on work and leadership.
“I thank my husband, Joel – I met him three years ago and we’ve been married nearly two years,” she said.
“It was when we got married that he’s like ‘you said when we started dating that you wanted to start an agri-tourism business, so what are you doing – get started.’
“He helped push it along which was really good and then Mum and Dad have been the best supporters, they’ve been all for everything that we’re doing.”
Since its launch, Dairy Adventures has grown steadily, with the combination of hands-on activities, educational experiences, and personal engagement helping it stand out in the regional tourism sector.
Visitors return time and again, drawn not only by the opportunity to experience farm life but also by the genuine connection the Zankers create with every guest.
Recently, Dairy Adventures was named a finalist in the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards, recognised for its innovative approach to agri-tourism.
“It’s good to be recognised and it means quite a lot to be a finalist,” Mrs Zanker said.
“If we were to win, it would be very surreal.
“We’re not going in with big heads, if we win, we win, if we don’t, we don’t, just being a finalist has been amazing.
“It’s mixed emotions that we were named a finalist and knowing that we’re up against the best in SA.”
While accolades are significant, Mrs Zanker said the primary focus remains on growing the business and providing meaningful experiences for visitors.
“I don’t know where Dairy Adventures will go completely, but I’m excited to see what’s going to happen,” she said.
“We’re constantly thinking of new ways to expand and improve what we offer, from new activities to more educational opportunities for everyone who comes to the farm.”
For the Zankers, the success of Dairy Adventures is about more than awards or recognition – it is about sharing a love of farming, creating memorable experiences, and inspiring a connection to rural life.
“To me and Joel, it means we’ve created something that people love,” she said.
“We feel blessed that we’re able to offer something that everyone seems to love and we can do what we love and get recognised by doing what we love.”
For more information, visit: www.dairyadventures.com.au/
