Berry Farm and Pick Your Own Berries the Great Ocean Road

Berry Farm and Pick Your Own Berries the Great Ocean Road

I still reckon the best kind of souvenir isn’t a fridge magnet — it’s berry juice under your fingernails. The title Visit a Berry Farm and Pick Your Own Berries on the Great Ocean Road says it all: this stretch of southern coastline isn’t just about thundering surf and limestone cliffs; it’s about flavours fresh from the vine. Along the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find family-run berry farms, pick-your-own patches, and farm-gate stalls that serve up the sort of sweetness no supermarket punnet can match.
I’m Paul Beames, and over the years of running tours through Victoria’s coastlines with Great Ocean Road Tour, I’ve had my fair share of berry-stained thumbs and sticky smiles. Let’s dive into why berry picking along this world-famous route is one of those simple Aussie pleasures that never gets old.

Table of Contents

Harvest Adventures: A Sweet Taste Of The Countryside

There’s something refreshingly honest about picking your own fruit. You see exactly where your food comes from, meet the folks who grow it, and leave with enough berries to fuel your road trip picnic. Berry farms on the Great Ocean Road aren’t just for kids — they’re for anyone chasing that slow-down, breathe-in kind of travel.

Here’s why berry picking deserves a place on your itinerary:

  • Taste that knocks supermarket berries flat — fresh, sun-warmed fruit picked straight from the vine is unbeatable.
  • Seasonal adventure — from summer strawberries to autumn raspberries and blueberries, every season’s got its hero.
  • Perfect road trip stop — break up the drive with something hands-on, local, and delicious.
  • Support local growers — many of these farms are family-run, keeping regional communities humming.
A Tasty Coastal Escape
Surf Coast Strawberry Fields – Mt Duneed

Surf Coast Strawberry Fields – Mt Duneed

You’ll smell Surf Coast Strawberry Fields before you see it. Set just off the highway near Mt Duneed, this place is a strawberry lover’s paradise. Rows upon rows of vines stretch across the paddocks, and visitors are welcome to grab a bucket and pick to their heart’s content. Locals come here for the U-Pick, travellers for the warm-up before Lorne or Apollo Bay. They also sell jams, sauces and smoothies. Get here early in the day when the fruit is cool from the morning dew — and yes, tasting as you go is encouraged.

Fast facts – Surf Coast Strawberry Fields

FeatureDetails
Location2 McCann St, Mount Duneed VIC
SeasonNovember – April
ProduceStrawberries
FacilitiesFarm shop, café, picnic area, toilets
CostPay per kilogram (around $12–$15/kg)

Berry World – Timboon

Head down the Great Ocean Road and inland to Timboon, a town that knows how to spoil foodies. Between Timboon Fine Ice Cream, the local whisky distillery, and farm gate produce, you could spend an entire afternoon here. Berry World is one of the region’s best-kept secrets — a family-owned patch bursting with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. The owners will welcome you like old friends, and the berries are chemical-free. There are picnic tables under the gums, and the nearby Timboon Rail Trail is a great walk after picking. If you’re doing the Great Ocean Road itinerary, this is the kind of local detour that turns a good trip into a great one.
Berry World – Timboon

Otway Blueberries – Gellibrand

Deep in the Otway Ranges, Otway Blueberries offers something special — berries with a mountain breeze twist. The farm is near Gellibrand, surrounded by tall timber forests and rich volcanic soil that gives these blueberries their sweetness. It’s more than just a farm; it’s a story of sustainable growing. The owners focus on minimal impact farming and invite you to pick your own or enjoy coffee and blueberry treats at the rustic farm café. You’ll also find local honey, jams and frozen berries for sale — handy if you’re heading home and want to stash some for later.
See also  Great Otway National Park
Tip from the road: Bring a cooler bag with ice bricks if you plan to keep berries fresh while continuing your road trip.
Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm

Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm

A bit inland from Lorne, the Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm near Deans Marsh is a local institution. They’ve been growing berries since the late 80s, and every summer the paddocks are filled with the sound of laughter as visitors fill their buckets with raspberries, loganberries and boysenberries. There’s a small café serving scones with raspberry jam (of course), homemade ice cream and berry cordials. Pennyroyal’s country charm is perfect for families and anyone who wants to slow down after days of coastal driving. Paul’s note: Grab a jar of their raspberry vinegar — it’s great drizzled over salads or even a bit of grilled lamb.

Otway Blueberries – Gellibrand

Deep in the Otway Ranges, Otway Blueberries offers something special — berries with a mountain breeze twist. The farm is near Gellibrand, surrounded by tall timber forests and rich volcanic soil that gives these blueberries their sweetness. It’s more than just a farm; it’s a story of sustainable growing. The owners focus on minimal impact farming and invite you to pick your own or enjoy coffee and blueberry treats at the rustic farm café. You’ll also find local honey, jams and frozen berries for sale — handy if you’re heading home and want to stash some for later. Tip from the road: Bring a cooler bag with ice bricks if you plan to keep berries fresh while continuing your road trip.
Otway Blueberries

Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm

A bit inland from Lorne, the Pennyroyal Raspberry Farm near Deans Marsh is a local institution. They’ve been growing berries since the late 80s, and every summer the paddocks are filled with the sound of laughter as visitors fill their buckets with raspberries, loganberries and boysenberries. There’s a small café serving scones with raspberry jam (of course), homemade ice cream and berry cordials. Pennyroyal’s country charm is perfect for families and anyone who wants to slow down after days of coastal driving.
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Paul’s note: Grab a jar of their raspberry vinegar — it’s great drizzled over salads or even a bit of grilled lamb.

The Fresh Market Warrnambool

Can’t get to the fields but want that farm-fresh taste? The Fresh Market Warrnambool brings the best of the region together. This lively market pops up on the first Sunday of the month and features local growers from across the Surf Coast, Otway Ranges and beyond.
You’ll find stalls stacked with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries from farms like Berry World, Otway Blueberries and Bungador Berry Farm, plus baked goods, gourmet cheeses, artisanal ice cream, and local wines. Don’t miss stalls from Abeckett’s Creek Beef, Dairylicious Farm Fudge, and Otway Estate Ciders. It’s a foodie’s paradise — and the best way to meet regional artisanal producers.

The Fresh Market Warrnambool

The Joy Of Fruit Picking Adventures

Let’s be real — the fun doesn’t stop once you’ve filled your basket. Half the fun is turning those berries into something awesome. Whether it’s a quick jam, a rustic tart or just a handful tossed over your brekkie muesli, berry picking brings the farm to your plate. Here are a few ideas to make your haul last longer than the drive home:
  • Homemade jam: Use equal parts fruit and sugar; simmer slowly until thick.
  • Berry compote: Perfect for pancakes, yoghurt or even your morning porridge.
  • Freezing: Lay berries flat on a tray before freezing, then bag them — no clumps later.
  • Cocktail syrup: Mix berries, sugar and lemon juice; strain and stir into a gin and soda by the campfire.
Local cafés like Pod Café Torquay and The Farm Café at Timboon source their berries from nearby farms, so even if you don’t pick your own, you’ll taste that paddock-to-plate freshness.
The Joy Of Fruit Picking Adventures

When To Visit

Berry picking along the Great Ocean Road follows Victoria’s seasonal availability. Summers are strawberry-picking season, late summer and autumn are for raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. The weather can change in a blink — one minute blazing sun, the next a cool coastal breeze — but that’s all part of the fun.

Berry Picking Seasons Along The Great Ocean Road

Fruit TypeBest MonthsTypical Locations
StrawberriesNovember – AprilSurf Coast, Timboon
RaspberriesDecember – MarchPennyroyal, Timboon
BlueberriesJanuary – MarchOtway Ranges
BlackberriesJanuary – FebruaryInland valleys
BoysenberriesDecember – FebruaryDeans Marsh region

Travel tip: Check each farm’s Facebook or website before you go — weather, crop size or high demand can close early on busy weekends.

Farm Visit Tips From The Road

After years of guiding travellers and seeing a few over-enthusiastic berry raids, I’ve learned a few tricks. Picking berries seems simple enough, but if you want the best haul (and avoid squishing half of it on your back seat), keep these in mind:

  1. Bring your own containers — some farms offer gift vouchers or reusable buckets; farm store discounts are common.
  2. Go early — cool mornings bring the best fruit and fewer people.
  3. Dress for the paddock — sunhat, closed shoes and sleeves; farm life can get messy.
  4. Stay hydrated — grab local Ciderhouse Café sodas or refillable bottles.
  5. Respect the rows — farms rely on you to keep organic farming practices intact.
  6. Taste, don’t feast — farm-fresh picking etiquette keeps everyone happy.
  7. Keep it cool — berries melt fast on the way to the Twelve Apostles, London Bridge, or Loch Ard Gorge.
See also  Things to Do in the Otways
Farm Visit Tips From The Road

Stats That Sweeten The Story

To get an idea of just how big berry farming is in Victoria, check out these figures from the Australian Blueberry Growers Association and Agriculture Victoria:

StatisticDetail
Victorian berry industry value$420 million annually
Number of commercial berry farms200+ across the state
Average Aussie consumption1.5 kg of berries per person per year
Main export marketsSingapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia
Most popular berry varietyStrawberry

So next time you fill a punnet along the Great Ocean Road, you’re not just feeding your sweet tooth — you’re supporting a local industry.

A Personal Yarn – The Day I Learnt Patience In The Patch

A Personal Yarn – The Day I Learnt Patience In The Patch

I’ll never forget my first group stop at Surf Coast Strawberry Fields. I told everyone to meet back in half an hour, but ninety minutes later, they were still comparing the “best berry of the day” under the gums near Teddy’s Lookout.

That’s the beauty of the farm gate experience — it slows you down. Out there, surrounded by laughter, Eucalyptus groves, and the scent of summer, you realise that travel isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about tasting something real, straight from paddock to punnet.

FAQ

Some farms, like Surf Coast Strawberry Fields, accept walk-ins, but others (like Otway Blueberries) require bookings on public holidays.
Yes — most local farms welcome families, complete with farm animals and easy farm-fresh picking.
Light rain usually doesn’t stop picking, but Otway Fly showers or storms might. Bring a jacket and keep an eye on conditions near Cape Otway Lighthouse.
No — to protect crops and maintain organic farming standards, most farms are pet-free.
Yes — most farm stores, Fresh Markets, and artisan Ice Cream stalls take cards, but smaller honesty boxes may still prefer cash.