Our addiction to honey has taken us to a few interesting places. On our recent road trip to Victoria, we added Mornington Peninsula to our itinerary, not only for the Hot Springs but because of the honey. This morphed into a Mornington Peninsula Farm Gate experience which saw us eating berries, honey and a whole range of produce around the area.
Across the Mornington Peninsula, there is seasonal produce being grown all year round. I had no idea and was excited to discover that over summer this means berries!
Wondering about produce around other part of Melbourne? Check out our Fruit Picking spots near Melbourne roundup.
Mornington Peninsula Farm Gates to Stop
Table of Contents
Pure Peninsula Honey
It all started 25 years ago when John, the founder of Pure Peninsula Honey, found 2 feral beehives, which he carefully monitored, tended to and eventually moved into boxes. To his wife’s horror, he left his trade as a butcher and became a honey man! Luckily it paid off, and Pure Peninsula Honey has become a huge player in the honey trade.
The Pure Peninsula Honey farm gate is open 7 days a week (although closed on Christmas Day) from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. You can taste all of the different types of honey whilst learning about bees. There’s a live hive so you can watch them in action safely.
We left with a few kilograms of honey, some pollen and a range of beeswax goods.
Address: 871 Derril Rd, Moorooduc VIC 3933
Produce: Honey and other bee products
Website: https://www.purepeninsulahoney.com.au
Main Ridge Dairy
Main Ridge Dairy is currently the only Farmhouse Cheesery and Dairy on the Mornington Peninsula. With the goats milked twice a day, the dairy produces high quality goats milk every day, turning it into their award winning cheeses on site.
In 2019 Main Ridge Dairy was awarded the champion trophy for ‘Best Medium Producer’ at the Australian Food Awards after winning 7 gold medals out of 9 entries.
Cheese tastings and cheese platters paired with local wines are available.
Address: 295 Main Creek Rd, Main Ridge
Produce: Farmhouse cheeses
Website: www.mainridgedairy.com.au/
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm was one of the largest farm gates that we visited on our trip. It boasts not just its fruit picking but a large restaurant and shop.
Sunny Ridge farms both traditionally in the soil, as well as hydroponically in coir (substrate). Coir is naturally occurring (untreated) and biodegradable soil substitute – coconut husk.
The picking season for guests, where you get to pick your own fruit, runs from November through to April.
During berry season (November to April ), Sunny Ridge is open every day of the week (Closed Christmas Day, NYD & Good Friday) from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. The off-season runs from May to October, with Sunny Ridge open all school holidays and then Friday to Sunday from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Address: 244 Shands Rd, Main Ridge
Produce: Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries
Website: https://sunnyridge.com.au/
Torello Farm
Torello Farm was originally an old market garden that has had a River Cottage type makeover and now specialises in specialty potatoes, heirloom vegetables and tree ripened fruit, as well as heritage breed animals: Dorset Down sheep and Belted Galloway cattle.
Produce from Torello Farm is available at the farm shop along with goods sourced from other local farms.
Address: 410 White Hill Rd, Dromana
Produce: a range of fruit and vegetables, preserves and beef products.
Website: www.torellofarm.com.au/
Ripe n Ready Cherry Farm
Ripe n Ready Cherry Farm is a small operation of 24 acres and one of our favourites. The family behind the farm have decided to develop a sustainable and healthy way to farm their land so that the food they produce and long-term viability of the land is enhanced. You can also book trout fishing!
Address: 52 Arkwells Ln, Red Hill
Produce: cherries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Boysenberries, Marionberries, Blueberries, Eggs, Honey.
Website: www.ripenreadycherryfarm.com/
Hawkes Farm
Hawkes Farm is a 140 acre family farm on the Mornington Peninsula that grows vegetables and strawberries. When visiting, kids can enjoy the small vegie patch where they might pick some produce, or enjoy the beautiful old Farmall tractor parked close by.
Open seven days a week, you can stop by to pick up the farms own products or get your hands on other local brands including Pure Peninsula Honey, Mock Red Hill sparkling juices, Baker Boys bread, Cape Schanck Olive Estate olive oil, Red Hill Truffles hazelnuts and truffle products, Fresh Herb Company herbs, Mushroom Forestry mushrooms and Tuerong Farm flour.
Address: 661 Boneo Rd, Boneo
Produce: a variety of seasonal vegetables and strawberries
Website: hawkesfarm.com.au/
Red Hill Cherry Farm
Red Hill Cherry Farm is the original cherry picking destination on the Mornington Peninsula, opening back in 1969. During cherry season (Mid November through to January), Red Hill Cherry Farm offers the opportunity to pick your own cherries. They also offer the chance to procure a range of cherry products including cherry port, dessert wine, cider, beer and ice-cream.
Address: 69 Prossors Ln, Red Hill
Produce: cherries and cherry products
Website: www.redhill-cherryfarm.com.au/
Green Olive at Red Hill
Green Olive at Red Hill is a 27 acre family farm that grows olives, grapes, herbs and veggies. You can visit the farm shop at Red Hill where you can enjoy coffee from beans roasted on-site and savor the aromas of the herbs and spices as they roast. You can enjoy our hand-made sausages or tapas dishes and even take a small taste of the farm home with you.
Most interestingly, Green Olive at Red Hill grows five varieties of olives (frantoio, leccino, picual, manzanilla and kalamata) that produce an abundance of olive oil, table olives and gorgeous body products. The kids will also love the variety of farm animals on site.
Address: 1180 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge
Produce: olives, grapes, herbs and veggies
Website: www.greenolive.com.au/
Benton Rise Farm
Benton Rise Farm is a small community-focused fresh produce market that only sells what is in season. Take the kids along to see the Red Rattler and petting zoo. Benton Rise Farm is open Friday to Sunday each week.
Address: 150 Coolart Road (cnr Graydens Road), Tuerong
Produce: Fresh seasonal produce
Website: www.brf.com.au/
Hart’s Farm
Sitting on 10 hectares, Hart’s Farm focuses on olives with over 500 tress of Frantoio, Leccino & Pendolino variety, as well as a pear and apple orchard used to produce the farm’s ciders.
Cider, Olive Oil, Olives, and some seasonal produce are available at the Farmgate on Saturday and Sunday afternoons as well as public holidays, by appointment or via the online store.
Address: 300 Tucks Rd, Shoreham
Produce: apple cider and olive oil
Website: hartsfarm.com.au/
If you have visited a farm gate on the Mornington Peninsula that we have missed, please let us know by leaving a comment so we can consider listing it within our resource.
Best Time of Year to Explore Mornington Peninsula Farm Gates
There are farm gates open all year round on the Mornington Peninsula, however fruits and vegetables are seasonal so knowing what to expect at the time of year you visit is important so you aren’t disappointed.
We have created a Mornington Peninsula Seasonal Produce Table to identify which produce is in season to help you plan your trip. Orange indicates that the produce should be readily available. The yellow indicates that you might be lucky, although it’s low season, whilst the grey indicates that it is not in season.
Mornington Peninsula Seasonal Produce Table
Click here to download our Mornington Peninsula Farm Gate Produce Resource
Mornington Peninsula Farm Gate Map
The Mornington Peninsula is a large area, with an area of 724 square kilometres. We have created a map of where our recommended farm gates are to help you work out the route you will take on your visit. Simply click on each arrow to find out more about each farm.
PIN THIS
More Things to See and Do in Melbourne with Kids
We love exploring Melbourne and have created the ultimate guide to Melbourne with kids.
Wanting to explore Melbourne during the School Holidays. We update our Melbourne School Holidays with Kids post prior to each term ending.
Love fruit? Fruit picking is a fun experience for the kids? Head to our Fruit Picking spots near Melbourne roundup.
History is always a fascinating thing to explore with kids, don’t you think? What about visiting the Old Melbourne Gaol with the kids?