As owners of Hillside Gardens, we have been farming white huacaya alpacas for approximately 10 years. We have been members of the Australian Alpaca Association since our original purchase of three females [one from a Peruvian shipment] in the mid 1990's.
Our farming interest goes back many years and we have successfully bred Boer Goats and sheep for most of our married life. Our interest in alpacas began initially from the environmental perspective and from that point on, our journey with alpacas began.
When choosing the name for our alpaca enterprise we deliberately used the term ’farm’, because we believe that alpacas in order to become a force to be reckoned with, will need to be farmed, commercial animals.
We set out with the original goal being to breed females with fine, soft and lustrous fleeces and this began at a 10 acre rural property on the outskirts of Perth. The original breeding goal has not changed but the size and style of the property did in 2000. The current Hillside Gardens Alpaca Farm location is now at a 100 acre property at Bakers Hill. The property was purchased because of its picturesque, undulating farming topography which is ideal for young developing cria to build muscle and size. The property faces Great Eastern Highway, the main arterial road to the Eastern States. This location was also chosen for its proximity to Perth and the surrounding farming areas.
The strong breeding program has continued and we are now also members of the SRS group.
In 2005 we made a bold decision to purchase as part of a Western Australian syndicate, The National Supreme Champion, Banksia Park Khan ET.
This male has exceptional qualities and using a male of this calibre across our females has enabled us to continue and progress with our commitment of breeding quality white huacaya. His offspring are already winning broad ribbons both here in WA and nationally.
The first Hillside Gardens cria of this multi supreme champion were born early in 2007 and we have been delighted with the results. Our goal of breeding alpacas with fine, soft handling and lustrous fleeces is certainly continuing to be fulfilled.
On farm visits to view alpacas offered for sale are most welcome. We have a range of alpacas suited to both the first time buyer or the experienced breeder.
Hillside Gardens over the years have successfully sold males and females within Australia, to South Africa and to New Zealand.
