All year we are hanging out for summer produce when the sweet and succulent fruity treats come into their own. Well now’s that time! There is really nothing like fruit that is in season, tree ripened and direct from the farm, and the Mornington Peninsula has a bunch of much-loved producers who grow strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries, apples and more in our rich red soils.
You can pick your own fruit during the summer months or buy a ready-picked package to take home. It’s guaranteed to be utterly fresh and delicious. You’ll also find delights such as traditional varieties of apples you’d thought had disappeared forever. Then there are little surprises such as house-made ice cream, preserves, desserts, sweet treats, apple juice, apple cider and apple cider vinegar.
Top Tip: This produce is seasonal, so it is not available all the time. To avoid a wasted trip, check websites, social media or even give them a call to check availability prior to your visit.
Try out a few of our favourites below:
Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm:
For the best strawberries ever! Pick them yourself or buy them already picked. Plus sweet-yet-tart raspberries and plump, juicy blueberries. The onsite café gives you the chance explore the seriously delicious dessert menu with their own berries matched with incredible farm made ice cream. Oh, and try the berry chocolate fondue!
Drum Drum Blueberry Farm:
The farm is certified Demeter Biodynamic and has been growing and selling fresh picked blueberries for over 30 years. You can also try their homemade blueberry products which are all available directly from the farm during January and into February. It's a short season so make sure to get in quick to make the most of their healthy and delicious fruit!
Red Hill Cherry Farm:
Down a dirt, country lane this farm is dedicated to all things ‘Cherry’ – and what cherries they are. You can ‘Pick Your Own’, try cherry ice-cream, cherry cordial and even cherry beer or cherry cider (Best In Class at the Red Hill Show)! Or grab a bottle of their award-winning cherry port to try. They also grow sour Morello cherries used to cook up eastern European inspired jams, tarts and vinegars.
Staples Apples and Cherry Orchard:
Down another dirt road and on a west facing hillside in Main Ridge, this farm is owned by the Staples family – a family with roots in the area back to the 1800’s. As the name says, apples and cherries are the main produce grown here, which is probably why Masterchef chose to film their ‘apple pie segment’ here. You’ll find other seasonal fruit (peaches, kiwi fruit, and more) available on the farmgate stall, but you will have to take a punt and see what there is on the day.
Ripe ‘n’ Ready Cherry Farm:
A visit to this farm (right next door to the Red Hill Market site) gives you a choice to pick your own cherries in the orchard, or buy ready picked cherries, raspberries, boysenberries, blueberries, marionberries and blackberries from the farmgate stall. Try the delicious fruit ice-cream – made with real berries and cherries. You can even book yourself in for some rainbow trout fishing in the dam – fun for the whole family.
Get more great Summer Ideas HERE>>
Can’t wait for your next visit to the Mornington Peninsula and want to be the first to hear about what’s happening including new events join our mailing list HERE>>