What comes to mind when you think of a timber barn?
Perhaps you picture a traditional farm building complete with machinery, hay bales and livestock. Or maybe you imagine cosy rural accommodation, luxurious barndominium living, or a rustic rural retreat.
While our Cedarspans excel at all of these uses, their commercial potential extends far beyond what immediately springs to mind.
From romantic wedding venues to boutique cellar doors, unique Airbnb experiences to unusual business premises, our prefabricated rural buildings have been helping Australians turn their properties into profitable ventures for 50 years.
The list of potential uses is virtually endless.
But better still, unlike traditional construction, which can take months or even years, our buildings are PreCrafted off-site in just a few weeks and delivered ready for rapid installation – and that’s typically completed in less than a week or two. Little to no disruption to business operations. No costly delays and blown-out budgets. Just quality construction with immediate revenue potential.
So, let’s explore some of the possibilities.
Wedding and event venues
The barn aesthetic has become an incredibly popular choice for weddings, and it doesn’t appear to be going anywhere soon!
With rustic decor and native flowers setting the scene, string lights swinging in the breeze, and live music filling the air, it’s the perfect romantic setting for a happy couple to tie the knot. The combination of an idyllic country setting with all the charm of a timber barn creates an atmosphere that couples love, and guests remember forever.
Creating your wedding and event space
When setting up an events space or wedding venue, it’s important to think beyond the main event and consider the complete guest experience. Here’s how a Cedarspan delivers everything a stylish and successful venue needs.
Flexible spaces for any celebration
Whether you’re hosting grand celebrations or intimate gatherings, our rural barns range from 20m² to 200m²+ and can be connected with joining modules to create even larger spaces or separate areas. Larger floorplans can accommodate round tables for formal dinners, ample ceremony seating, and dedicated dance floors, while smaller venues work beautifully for relaxed celebrations – think long grazing tables, cosy seating areas, and an indoor-outdoor flow.
Our buildings are engineered for a completely open-plan layout without the need for any load-bearing internal walls. This gives you incredible versatility to create distinct zones for ceremony to cocktails, dining to dancing – then reconfigure the entire space for a different event type or needs the following weekend.
Light that makes memories
Lighting is everything. Done right, it sets the mood, highlights what matters most, and creates picture-perfect photo conditions.
Our flexible design allows you to consider orientation and the sun’s path, so you can position windows and doors exactly where you need them. Flood your interior with sunlight during daytime events, bathe the ceremony space or wedding table in the afternoon glow, or capture a golden sunset. We also offer a wide range of window and door styles and sizes to make sure the light is just right.
Year-round comfort
The Australian climate varies dramatically, and guest comfort is essential, regardless of the weather. Crafted from high-quality timber with inherent insulative properties, our buildings also feature cavities to enable insulation and hidden services – perfect for heating and cooling systems – to be fitted after installation. The cathedral ceiling aids natural thermal airflow, while our fully insulated Colorbond® roof helps regulate temperatures in every season.
Smart storage
Event venues need storage – lots of it! Tables, chairs, decorations, equipment – it all takes up space. Fit out post-installation with internal walls to create dedicated storage rooms or add a loft for easily accessible overhead storage – our generous internal height and clearspan cathedral ceiling design make this easy.
Additional facilities
Create additional facilities such as restrooms, a catering kitchen, bar area, or bridal party prep suite with a smaller complementary Cedarspan or a building from our Melwood range. Consider adding accommodation for the happy couple or out-of-town guests, and create a complete campus that grows with your business.
Cellar doors and wine tourism
For Australian wineries – whether established or just starting out – a warm and inviting cellar door is essential to success. It’s the first impression, the backdrop for photos, and as important as the wine you produce when it comes to recommendations!
(And to make sure they leave with a lasting first impression, welcome them with an entrance from Authentic Gates.)
Creating your cellar door experience
Before guests even taste your wine, they’ve formed an opinion based on the venue. Your cellar door tells a story of quality, authenticity, and who you are. Here’s how a Cedarspan helps you tell your unique tale and create a cellar door to remember.
A building that tells your story
Every winery has a unique story – whether you’re a fourth-generation family vineyard, a boutique operation focused on organic practices, or a modern winery pushing boundaries. Our buildings are fully personalisable to reflect your brand and heritage, with design choices that can echo your region’s architectural character or boldly stand out from the crowd. From rustic and traditional to sleek and contemporary, your building is designed with you, for you, to ensure it represents your winery’s identity and tells your tale.
Natural comfort and quality
Unlike tin sheds, which can be uncomfortably hot in summer and cold in winter, our high-quality timber-framed and clad buildings are naturally insulative. Engineered like any traditional building, they can be fitted out with additional wall, ceiling and floor insulation, as well as heating and cooling systems for maximum climate control. Not only is this good for guests, but it’s good for the wine! Plus, when your cellar door is built from quality materials and craftsmanship, it signals to the customer that the same care and attention goes into every bottle of wine they’re tasting.
Showcase your views
Chances are, you have vineyard views and spectacular surroundings. A wide choice of design features – and flexibility with where they are positioned – lets you showcase them to the max. Large windows and stacking doors connect your indoor tasting area to the surrounding scenery, and your property’s prime position can be soaked up from seating areas on the deck, verandah or porch.
Versatile space
Our completely open-plan design offers an abundance of versatility for cellar doors. The absence of load-bearing structural support inside allows you to create distinct zones for tasting, eating and relaxing. All can flow naturally while feeling spacious and welcoming, while special events, private functions and seasonal changes can be catered to with effortless reconfiguration as needed.
Storage solutions
A loft adds extra storage space without impacting on your building’s footprint or your guests’ experience. This efficient use of vertical space is ideal for storing glassware, merchandise or stock, so you can dedicate the ground floor to accommodating guests.
Photo-worhty backdrop
Winery visitors take lots of photos! And the natural timber aesthetic of a barn – whether it offers modern or rustic appeal – is an attractive, Insta-worthy backdrop. Inside, cathedral ceilings and an abundance of natural light make every angle beautiful. And when your cellar door guests post these to their socials with your name visible or your own page tagged, you gain free marketing to potential future customers.
Airbnbs and short-term rentals
Unique holiday rental spaces are popular with travellers, and barn-style accommodation is high on that list. Offering a unique, character-filled experience in a relaxing rural location, it’s the type of short-term rental that can command premium prices.
Creating memorable guest accommodation
Successful Airbnb accommodation requires a balance of charm and comfort. Here’s how a Cedarspan steps up to the challenge.
Tiny retreats to luxury barndominiums
Building the right holiday rental for your property and target market is easy with a Cedarspan. Offering complete flexibility, you have the freedom to create a tiny romantic cabin for couples, a spacious barndominium for families, or even multi-building pavilion-style accommodation for larger groups.
Off-grid capability
Often, the most sought-after Airbnbs offer a genuine escape from the everyday, with travellers seeking a digital detox and a sense of going back to basics. Sustainability is high on the list of priorities for today’s guests, and a Cedarspan is perfect to meet these needs. Built from eco-conscious materials, using one of the most environmentally friendly end-to-end construction methods, the buildings are inherently sustainable. But they are also ideal for off-grid set-ups, easily accommodating solar panels, wood heaters, rainwater systems and composting toilets to create an eco-friendly retreat with low operating costs.
Chic or unique
Your Airbnb can be exactly what you want it to be. Our buildings can authentically settle into their surroundings, or they can stand proudly unique upon the landscape. And, not only do you have complete flexibility with the building’s design and layout, you have total freedom over the fit-out and finish, inside and out. Lean into rustic charm or sleek contemporary modern lines. Go daring and bold, or muted and zen. Maximise the open-plan nature of the interior or create separate rooms and nooks with interior walls. Whatever your vision, you can bring it to life.
Privacy, light and views
Flexibility with the positioning, size and style of windows and doors allows you to maximise your property’s best views and light, while maintaining all-important privacy for guests and – if you live on the property – your own. Add-ons such as decking, verandahs and porches can be strategically placed to further aid privacy, and create relaxed areas that take in the scenery while offering shelter from the elements. Thoughtful extras, such as a carport awning to protect guests’ vehicles, can provide a sense of security.
Quick and easy
While traditional construction can take months or years, and can be costly, unpredictable, stressful and disruptive, a PreCrafted Cedarspan is everything but! In just a few weeks, the building is prefabricated off-site, then delivered in modular panels ready to be installed. It typically takes less than a week or two to reach lock-up stage, with minimal trades required and very little site disruption. That means Airbnb revenue can start flowing sooner, the building pays for itself faster, and you can capitalise on peak holiday seasons with minimal lead time.
Farming and agriculture
They’re the backbone of country enterprise, so it’s essential that farming and agriculture have the right infrastructure to support their success. From functional farm buildings to agritourism spaces, the right barn can make all the difference to both business operations and visitor experience.
Farm buildings that work harder
More and more farmers and agricultural businesses are turning to Cedarspan barns. Here are some of the reasons why.
Authentic style, genuine quality
The Australian countryside is beautiful, and large metal sheds are, quite honestly, a blight on the landscape. In contrast, our timber barns look like they belong – echoing the heritage farm buildings that have dotted rural Australia for generations, blending naturally into pastoral settings rather than standing out as industrial eyesores.
And contrary to popular belief, metal sheds aren’t the budget-friendly option they once were. Savvy farmers are moving away from this false economy, recognising that for a similar investment, a Cedarspan delivers authentic styling and genuine quality that stands up to rural demands for decades. Unlike metal that deteriorates – rusting in rain and baking in summer heat – our timber-framed buildings age gracefully, maintain structural integrity, and provide far superior working conditions all year-round.
Operational functions
Farming and agricultural operations need buildings for an enormous range of purposes. Our barns adapt seamlessly to whatever is required.
Livestock can be housed comfortably in secure, insulated, and well-ventilated accommodation. Equipment, machinery, supplies and produce can be stored in dry, protected spaces. Robust workshops stand up to the daily working demands of maintenance and repairs. You can even process and pack in a clean, comfortable, climate-controlled environment or set up a professional office and admin building to run efficient business operations.
Revenue-generating uses
Many farm operations are tapping into the agritourism opportunities that generate valuable extra income. The right space is needed to deliver a quality experience, and a Cedarspan couldn’t be a better fit. From farmgate sales to farm stay accommodation, our timber barns speak of quality and authenticity, ensuring an unforgettably genuine farm experience for visitors and guests.
Versatility for life
Life’s seasons come and go, and businesses evolve with them. A Cedarspan is easily adaptable to changing needs. What started as a machinery shed can easily become a farm shop. A storage barn can be converted for weekend farm experiences or field-to-table dinner events. And when you need multiple buildings for different functions, our cohesive range presents a harmonious aesthetic across your property for a professional image.
Built for rural realities
Our robust buildings handle everything that rural life requires. Designed with engineering precision and PreCrafted by skilled craftspeople from high-quality materials that are specifically selected for their resilience in Australian conditions, a Cedarspan faces the rigours of rural life with ease. Standing strong through extreme temperatures, wind, rain, hail or snow, they’ll take what life on the land throws at them while adapting to almost any purpose.
Resorts and hospitality ventures
Tourism is big business in Australia. Hospitality operators need distinctive spaces that stand out in a crowded market while allowing flexibility to grow as business expands.
Building your hospitality vision
Timber barns are the smartest and fastest way to launch a new venture or scale existing operations. Here are some of the ways a Cedarspan can adapt to the hospitality sector, whether it’s a luxurious boutique resort or a fine dining experience in a unique setting.
Scale steadily
Our modular approach lets your business expand in stages. Your initial building can be extended in the future by adding panels to the length or connecting to additional spaces with joining modules. Start with one accommodation barn and add more as bookings grow. Add a reception building to welcome guests, then incorporate wellness facilities, activity spaces, or a restaurant as demand justifies investment. This staged approach minimises financial risk, manages cash flow, and maximises flexibility as your business’s future unfolds.
Fast
When starting out or scaling up, time is money. Every day spent in construction is a day of lost income. By choosing a Cedarspan, you’re choosing a fast and efficient route to revenue. Your building is PreCrafted in a matter of weeks, then delivered ready for installation – typically completed in just a week or two. So, if you dream of creating a resort village, you can have multiple buildings up and ready to go in virtually no time at all!
Fuss-free
Fuss-free
Ongoing building work disrupts both guest experience and your site, risking damage to your reputation and your property. You can avoid both with a Cedarspan. The entire PreCrafting process happens off-site with zero impact on existing guests or business operations. Installation happens with minimal machinery, labour, noise and disruption – you can literally be welcoming guests while your next building goes up nearby. They’ll barely notice the work happening, and the site will experience very little disturbance.
Yours to design
With a Cedarspan, you’re not buying an off-the-shelf, pre-designed building that’s like all the others. Whatever your hospitality vision looks like, you’re in control. With a wide range of sizes, architectural features, personalisation options and add-ons, no two buildings are the same. You choose the cladding, the colours, the windows and doors – and position them where you like. Inside, there are no pre-set floorplans, supporting walls or wet area layouts. It’s all yours to decide. So, whether it’s a multi-bedroom guest house, a sophisticated restaurant, or an open-plan yoga retreat, it will work for you.
Stand out from the crowd
Depending on what and where it is, your hospitality venture may be competing in a saturated market, and you’ll want to differentiate. Not only are the bones of your building yours to determine, we hand over to you and your installer at delivery. This means absolute freedom with fitout and finish, inside and out. So, whether you’re creating a funky themed resort or expanding a branded business, there’s no need to compromise on any element of your vision.
And now for something a little different
What we’ve listed so far is just the beginning. There are countless ways a Cedarspan works for business use and commercial enterprise. From professional offices to reception areas, maker spaces to creative studios, activity centres to fitness spaces, the list goes on and on.
But some of our favourite applications are the creative ones.
Niche tourism and experiences
For unique operations, a Cedarspan is ideal – personalisable, flexible, modular, fast, and cost-effective, even when the site is unconventional too. Create visitors’ centres, gift shops, cafés, kiosks or waiting areas that enhance guest experience while streamlining operations. Take The Riverboat Postman, for example. This unique postal service and tourist attraction on the banks of the Hawkesbury River operates from a charming Cedarspan that serves as a ticket office, post office, and admin hub.
Seasonal attractions
Santa’s Workshop – a magical meet and greet and photography studio – has taken centre stage in Sydney’s Martin Place for the last three Christmases. This seasonal attraction is easily dismantled, stored, and reinstalled year after year. For businesses based around seasonal demands or those that need to relocate, a modular Cedarspan is the perfect solution – delivering instant impact when you need it, then packing away until the next season or site.
Whatever you envision
Whatever you envision
The truth is, no matter how crazy or niche, if you can imagine a commercial use for a beautiful, high-quality, functional building that can be installed in under a week, a Cedarspan can make it happen. We’re not sure how many others can say the same.
Business begins here
Whether you’re expanding an existing enterprise, beginning a new business, or exploring revenue opportunities for your land, you’re in the right hands.
Take action, invest in quality, and create something special that turns business dreams – big and small – into lasting success.
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