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10 Best Farm Melbourne Has To Offer [2024]

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Farm Melbourne

Best Farms Melbourne
Best Farms Melbourne

Farming has been at the forefront of Australia’s growth, as it has been in many other countries. It has fed Australia’s rising population and served as an underlying economic lynchpin that has been critical to the country’s economy. For example, the phrase “riding on the back of a sheep” was historically linked with Australia’s success as a result of producing and exporting wool. Through what it produces and gives, the farming industry serves to link all Australians, whether urban and rural. Knowing this, you should be able to identify the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

1. Green Olive at Red Hill

Key ServicesKids Farm Tours | Feed The Chooks, Guinea Fowl And Ducks, Collect Eggs, Pat A Shetland Pony And Meet Maremma Sheepdogs
Websitehttps://www.greenolive.com.au/
Address1180 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge VIC 3928, Australia
Phone+61 3 5989 2992
E-mailbookings@greenolive.com.au
Operating Hours9AM – 5PM Mondays, Fridays – Sundays

Their narrative began with a childhood goal and a plot of land in Red Hill, on the Mornington Peninsula, where they planted their first olive seedlings and established Green Olive at Red Hill, a winery and olive grove. They have five olive kinds (frantoio, leccino, picual, manzanilla, and kalamata) that generate a lot of olive oil, table olives, and beautiful body goods. Their olives are produced on the farm and hand-picked to make 100% natural items for you to enjoy. They cultivate a wide variety of seasonal vegetables as well as an expanding herb collection. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • farm-fresh
  • hand-picked olives
  • 100% natural

Customer Testimonial:

“Went there with our baby. Enjoyed free paddle beside their cheese platter made with regional produce. We adore places like this. The staff was delightful. Offering to warm up our son’s bottle. Had a changing table. Gorgeous setting. Liked the cider so much that we bought a slab. We’ll definitely be back.”

Hayden Dixon

2. Edendale Farm

Key ServicesSee Goats, Sheep, Alpacas, Spiny Leaf Stick Insects, Guinea Pigs, Spinifex Hopping Mice, Blue Tongue Lizards And Various Breeds Of Poultry | Artworks Made From Recycled Materials | Outdoor Seating And A Sandpit For Kids To Play
Websitehttps://www.edendale.vic.gov.au/
Address30 Gastons Rd, Eltham VIC 3095, Australia
Phone+61 3 9433 3711
E-mailedendale@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
Operating Hours10AM – 4:30PM Daily

The existing farm location was originally part of a 51-acre plot acquired from the crown by pioneer Henry Stooke in 1852. Their objective is to establish an interactive community and education center to promote the entire community’s sustainable living practices. The Nillumbik Shire Council is committed to making Edendale an accessible community place that promotes environmental education, events and performances, and informal community usage. The new environment makes it easier for tourists to reach the top of the site, and they appreciate seeing parents with children running and playing on the new grass. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • sustainable living practices
  • environmental education
  • events and performances

Customer Testimonial:

“An absolutely brilliant venue for the 2022 Eltham Jazz, Food & Wine Festival! Can’t wait to return to have a really good look around.”

Bryan A.

3. Chesterfield Farm

Key ServicesPrivate Working Farm | Tourist/children’s Farm |  Activities, Such As Tractor Rides And Milking Demonstrations
Websitehttps://chesterfieldfarm.com.au/
Address1221 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby VIC 3179, Australia
Phone+61 3 9763 1588
E-mailinfo@chesterfieldfarm.com.au
Operating Hours10AM – 3PM Daily

Chesterfield Farm is a historical farm in the centre of Scoresby that is now available to the public seven days a week as a tourist educational animal farm. With the exception of a few holidays, they are open every day. Their activities and animals usually give a lot of fun, as well as a true “hands-on” experience of farm life, as well as various under-cover picnic spaces, a lot of “animal attractions,” and pleasant personnel to make the day pleasurable. Travis and Kylie Morgan and their family purchased Chesterfield Farm in October 2012, and the farm has grown from strength to strength since then. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • historical farm
  • tourist educational animal farm
  • “hands-on” experience of farm life

Customer Testimonial:

“A Sunday day tour with children and grandchildren. Chesterfield Farm gave an afternoon full of fun and adventure for the kids. The atmosphere was fresh and animals friendly. The children enjoyed every moment. Thank you for the care.”

jajubabu

4. Rain Hayne & Shine

Key ServicesChildren’s Farm | Various Very Friendly Farm Animals To Feed And Pat| Free Cuppas And Gas Bbqs Are Available| BYO Food
Websitehttps://www.rhsfarm.com.au/
Address490 Stumpy Gully Rd, Balnarring VIC 3926, Australia
Phone+61 3 5983 1691
E-mailinfo@rhsfarm.com.au
Operating Hours10AM – 4PM Saturdays – Wednesdays

Rain Hayne & Shine Farmyard provides “A Farmtastic Day Out” with a variety of hands-on activities with friendly farm animals in a natural, rustic farm environment. They provide an exciting day for animal enthusiasts of all ages, as well as informative excursions, a playgroup, and birthday parties. In a relaxing rustic farm environment, the Farmyard in Balnarring provides “hands on” interactions with a huge range of friendly farm animals. Ponies, donkeys, a mule, dingoes, and large pigs can also be patted over the fence. The animals have access to food. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • friendly farm animals
  • informative excursions
  • playgroup

Customer Testimonial:

“We love this place! Absolutely recommend visiting with kids all ages. Try the BBQ facilities and enjoy the tranquil surrounds.”

Tobias Jacobsen

5. Living Legends

Key ServicesDaily Guided Tours | Participation In The Public Tour | Pictures And Career Information About Each Champion Racehorse
Websitehttps://www.livinglegends.org.au/
AddressWoodlands Dr, Greenvale VIC 3059, Australia
Phone+61 3 9307 1165
E-mailinfo@livinglegends.org.au
Operating Hours10AM – 4PM Daily

Living Legends was founded to foster a strong bond between the community and its racehorse champions, as well as to encourage life beyond racing for all horses. They give the ideal venue for individuals of all ages to mix and mingle, get up close and personal with previous winners, and truly get to know them. Visitors are privileged to one-on-one experiences with equine aristocracy through guided tours, picture opportunities, and possibilities to feed, pet, and ride. The Living Legends’ Memorial Garden is a unique indigenous native plant garden located in the horse paddock area. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • one-on-one experiences with equine aristocracy
  • unique indigenous native plant garden

Customer Testimonial:

“A Lovely Place to Go.The Horses(Kangaroos too) Cafe With Rooms to have a Devonshire Tea(scones are Huge)in,or on a Nice Day take a Picnic for a Lunch in Relaxing Surrounds.Will go again and say Hi to the Horses and Roo’s.”

Dianne Colbeck

6. Caldermeade Farm

Key ServicesFamily Friendly Café | Outdoor Dining, Milking, Tractor Tours, Garden With Children’s Playground, Shop With Farm Made Produce And Animal Nursery.
Websitehttps://caldermeadefarm.com.au/
Address4385 S Gippsland Hwy, Caldermeade VIC 3984, Australia
Phone+61 3 5997 5000
E-mailinfo@caldermeadefarm.com.au
Operating Hours9AM – 4PM Daily

Caldermeade Farm is a natural location where you may visit, taste, learn, laugh, and feel better. Few individuals these days own and control all aspect of their business, from caring for their cows to running their farm cafĂŠ, manufacturing, and generating nutritious and tasty meals. This seems ridiculous, but happily they are a large family of scientists, cooks, engineers, and farmers who are noisy, hardworking, and scientific (or nerdy). They care about their neighborhood and attempt to serve the highest quality meals possible. They give the globe with superior cuisine derived from the best of nature. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • visit, taste, learn, laugh, and feel better
  • large family of scientists, cooks, engineers, and farmers

Customer Testimonial:

“Beautiful place to stop on your road trip to Philip island. I didn’t take a tour but it looked tempting. I sat for a piece of hash brown a smoothie instead and loved the chilled environment and the views. I bought some amazing cheese and some other stuff too and they didn’t disappoint!”

Kirtan Patel (Kp)

7. Funky Farm

Key ServicesHomestead And Hobby Farm | Mixture Of Farm Animals And Natives At This Sanctuary
Websitehttps://www.thefunkyfarm.com.au/
Address209 Coolart Rd, Hastings VIC 3915, Australia
Phone+61 1300 386 593
E-mailthefunkyfarm@outlook.com

Chris and Sam have always had a passion for horses, both professionally and recreationally. They bought the vacant 10 acre property on Coolart Road in Hastings in 2008, where they initially put it up for horses and constructed a house. Since then, Chris, Sam, and their daughter Ziva have developed the farm into a specialized facility where special needs adults and children may engage with a variety of Australian native animals. You will enjoy a 1.5 hour personalized hands-on interactive tour. They keep their groups small so that everyone may enjoy their time with their magnificent creatures. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.v

Key Differentiators:

  • special needs adults and children
  • personalized hands-on interactive tour

Customer Testimonial:

“Chris was an Amazing young man with our Participant today. I have never met a young man with the empathy and patience like he has. People with any Disability are transformed in to heroes in a few minutes. His team are sensational!”

Jamie Zinner

8. Animal Land

Key Servicesauthentic farm experience | host school groups and birthday parties | self-contained cottage
Websitehttps://animalland.com.au/
Address 200 Duncans Ln, Diggers Rest VIC 3427, Australia
Phone+61 3 9740 0750
E-mailfun@animalland.com.au
Operating Hours10AM – 2PM Mondays, Fridays – Sundays

For almost 30 years, the Animal Land Children’s Agricultural has provided a realistic and practical farm experience to tourists, families, and school groups. There are no laptops, iPads, or phones required here; it’s real-life, hands-on farming, and you get to be a part of it. When Animal Land originally opened in 1985, it was only open for a short period to kindergartens and school groups. Animal Land was created primarily to provide youngsters with hands-on agricultural experience. Visitors do not merely view their animals, like they do at other animal exhibits. They are a family-owned and operated business. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • 30 years of farm experience
  • hands-on farming
  • family-owned and operated

Customer Testimonial:

“It is a great experience and so close to Melbourne. Feeding the sheep and watching piglets, nursing a rabbit.m, riding a pony.Great time”

Kym G.

9. The Big Goose

Key Services Playgrounds, Water Play, Mini Golf And Tractor Rides And Mazes, Special Events
Websitehttps://thebiggoose.com.au/
Address 233 Mornington-Tyabb Rd, Moorooduc VIC 3933, Australia
Phone+61 459 911 549
E-mailfun@thebiggoose.com.au
Operating Hours10AM – 4PM Thursdays – Sundays

The Big Goose, located on the Peninsula highway near Moorooduc, mixes farm animals with an adventure park. The park features numerous activities, including a tractor ride, touring the petting barn, a round of mini golf, getting lost in the maze, climbing around the adventure playground, and one of the most popular pieces of play equipment with the kids, the GIANT jumping cushion. They hope you will be pleasantly surprised by the natural beauty of the farms as well as how well their crew loves and cares for the animals. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • tractor ride, petting barn, mini golf, maze, adventure playground, and GIANT jumping cushion
  • natural beauty of the farm

Customer Testimonial:

“A wonderful place for kids. General admission includes a free tractor ride and sheepdog show.”

Nino

10. Bundoora Park Farm

Key ServicesFeed And Handle The Farmyard Animals | Tractor Ride| Several Playgrounds And Bbq Facilities
WebsiteFacebook
Address1069 Plenty Rd, Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia
Phone+61 3 8470 8170
E-mailbundpark@darebin.vic.gov.au
Operating Hours10AM – 4PM Daily

Bundoora Park Farm is not just a beautiful location to visit; there are also several possibilities to get involved and learn about farm life. They provide teaching programs for organizations and schools, volunteer opportunities for people of all abilities, recreation opportunities, and community garden plots. The Urban Farm offers a realistic farm experience, complete with a selection of animals to touch and hold. Heritage Village at Bundoora Park Farm transports you back in time. Experience early 20th century colonial agricultural life through the many historical images, artifacts, and machinery on show in buildings dating back to 1899. This is why they are one of the top farm Melbourne has to offer.

Key Differentiators:

  • teaching programs, volunteer opportunities, recreation opportunities, community garden plots, and historical images

Customer Testimonial:

“Great playground and animals. My nephew and niece (toddlers) loved it! They didn’t want to leave. Due to covid we missed out on the tractor ride but I hope to go next time we visit! Also no more pony ride because pony is enjoying retirement. Regardless loved being able to enjoy the animals and playgrounds everywhere.”

Rocio Vega

Farm Melbourne

Overall, farming is an old practice that continues to play an important part in human survival; nevertheless, a balance must be established between agricultural production increases and the effects on the environment. Farming, like everything else, has grown and improved through time as technology and data have advanced. Farming, as is often the case, is a function often performed by Farmers’ family members, with Farmers’ children learning the ropes until they are old enough to take over the administration of the farms themselves. We hope this information assists you in locating the best farm Melbourne has to offer.

If you’re looking for more recommendations, you can check out our other posts below:

Rachel Tan - FunEmpire

Article by

I'm currently the editor at FunEmpire Media Australia. I've over 8 years of experience in the media industry discovering the best local businesses, places and things to do in Australia. From lifestyle, entertainment, food, travel, education and more, I strive to curate the very best Australia has to offer.