Ballarat’s best farm experiences
Get a taste of farm life and soak up the Ballarat region’s fresh air, fertile land and wide open spaces.
Black Cat Truffles
The Ballarat region is perfectly suited for growing truffles thanks to its cold, frosty winters and warm summers – all requirements to kick off the fruiting bodies and maturation process in the truffle.
Black Cat Truffles is situated just 20 minutes outside of Ballarat in Wattle Flat. Visit the 1000-tree truffiere to find out more about this earthy, aromatic delicacy.
Tuki Trout Farm
Enjoy the unique pond to plate experience at Smeaton’s Tuki Trout Farm, where you’re guaranteed to catch a rainbow trout in one of the aerated spring water ponds. Once you’ve hooked your catch of the day, you can have it cooked in the restaurant for lunch or cleaned and packaged to take home.
Located on traditional grazing property Stoney Rises, the farm’s cows and sheep graze on natural herbage and native pasture, which gives their meat greater nutritional benefits and a unique flavour. This meat can be purchased at the on-site butcher or eaten in the restaurant.
Inglenook Dairy
Pushing for a higher farm gate milk price and supporting other farms has been a driving force in the continued growth of Dunnstown’s Inglenook Dairy. Its milk, cream and natural yoghurt products are all manufactured 100 per cent on the farm and boast a delicious and natural taste.
Keep an eye on Inglenook’s Facebook page for the all-new school holiday tours, which sell out quick. Interactive dairy tours are also available for schools and group bookings (minimum of 15 people).
Pick your own
We all know fresh is best and you can’t get any fresher than straight from the source. Pick your own:
- tomatoes and strawberries at Yendon Gourmet Tomatoes;
- corn and tomatoes at Spring Creek Organics at Navigators; or
- blueberries at Buninyong Blueberry Farm.
Visit individual websites or social media pages for upcoming picking dates.
Donegans Farm
Owned and farmed by the Donegan family for over 150 years, Donegans Farm in Gordon is home to a menagerie of animals that can be safely observed, patted, fed and handled – think calves, lambs, pigs, goats, hens, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, rabbits, ponies, budgies, parrots and alpacas.
And witness the different seasonal activities of a working farm, such as potato growing (April–June), hay making (October-December) and sheep shearing (October–December).
Acre of Roses
Stop and smell the roses at Trentham’s Acre of Roses. The micro-flower farm is as pretty as a picture with its 1500 organically and sustainably-grown heritage rose bushes, peony patch, potager (kitchen and herb garden) and orchard.
Farm tours and pickings are by appointment between November and May, with flower therapy and styling workshops also a regular drawcard.
Tinakori Animal Farm
Experience life in the country at Tinakori Animal Farm in Clunes. Whether staying in the four-bedroom self-contained accommodation or just visiting, cuddle bunnies, chickens, lambs and guinea pigs, fish on the lake, and admire the native birdlife.
Creswick Woollen Mills
Founded in 1947 by Polish migrant Paul Ryzowy, Creswick Woollen Mills is Australia’s last remaining coloured woollen spinning mill.
Feed and pat the alpacas, sheep and goats in the new animal enclosure plus meet Farmer Cameron, the resident animal expert.
Ballarat Specialist School FARM campus
Open to the public, the Ballarat Specialist School’s FARM campus in Invermay Park houses a range of livestock including poultry, pork, lamb and beef.
While you’re there, explore the market garden and orchards, on-site cafe/bakery, and play paddock complete with a cubby house, obstacle course and huge sandpit.
Country accommodation
Take your experience in the country to the next level with a night or two at Emu Lodge Country Retreat, Galwiji Homestead, Cygnet Park Country Retreat or Wintarni Olives Bed and Breakfast.
Farmers’ markets
Let the farmers bring their produce straight to you at one of the Ballarat region’s farmers’ markets.