Five Generations
Established 1873
George and Mary Elizabeth Couch, founded Bellevue in 1873.
Bellevue Farmstay is situated at the entrance of the working livestock farm “Bellevue” which has been in the Couch family for five generations.
“Bellevue” originally was settled by English immigrants George and Mary Elizabeth Couch in 1873 as a dairy farm. The couple’s youngest son Arthur and his wife Annie later took over the property continuing to nurture and clear the land.
Arthur and Annie Couch , the second generation owners of Bellevue.
Of Arthur and Annie’s nine children, their two sons (Lyle and Norman) along with Lyle’s wife Patricia then established the farm as a prime sheep property in the 1940s. Lyle and Pat’s eldest son Warren continued the farming tradition, diversifying to beef in the late 90s.
Lyle and Patricia Couch, third generation owners of Bellevue.
In 2007, Warren and Wendy opened Bellevue Farmstay, welcoming guests from around the world to experience life on the family farm. Today, Bellevue remains a working farm and family home, with Warren continuing to live on the property in what is affectionately known as the "Top House". Together with daughters Shelli-Anne, Lisa and Amanda, the family continues the legacy of five generations who have called Bellevue home.
In 2024, Wendy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and moved into full-time care. She returns home to Bellevue every weekend and remains very much at the heart of the family, helping ensure the warmth, hospitality and values she helped create continue to shape the farm and guest experience today.
Warren and Wendy, fourth generation owners of Bellevue and founders of Bellevue Farmstay.
The original Bellevue homestead (red roof with blacksmith shed.
