Brisbane Kids of all ages will enjoy strawberry picking in Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast at the picturesque McMartin’s Strawberry Farm.
And as your kids gorge on their collected berries, you can feel good knowing they are having a healthy treat, unless they dunk them in chocolate dipping sauce first…
McMartin’s Strawberry Farm – The History
Set in a peaceful, rural setting, the 56 acre farm, which began with sugar cane, dairy and small crops, has been family owned and operated since 1945. For the past 25 years, strawberries have been the predominant winter crop, while custard apples, lychees and figs are grown in other seasons.
McMartin’s Strawberry Farm – What To Expect
McMartin’s farm is an hour or so from the big smoke and offers a fun morning or afternoon outing for Brisbane families. First, enter the gift shop and ask for the plastic punnets to collect your strawberries in.
The gift shop has lots of lovely products to tempt you including homemade strawberry jam and chocolate covered strawberries. Next, follow the directions of staff to the day’s allocated picking fields and start filling your punnets with ripe, plump, sweet and juicy strawberries.
With 320 000 strawberry plants to choose from, you will not be disappointed. When your punnets are full, return to the gift shop to have them weighed and priced. There’s probably no need to tell you the final step… wash and eat!
Top Tips For Choosing Your Strawberries
Choose berries that are firm, plump, unblemished and free of mould. Look for those that have a shiny, deep red colour and bright green caps attached. Once picked, strawberries do not ripen further so avoid those that are dull, or have green or yellow patches. Wash and handle them with care and bring them to room temperature before serving.
Strawberry Health Facts
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K and provide a good dose of fibre, folic acid, manganese and potassium. They also contain significant amounts of phytonutrients and flavanoids, which makes strawberries bright red. The vibrant red colour means they contain powerful antioxidants and are thought to protect against inflammation, cancer and heart disease.
Café & Wetland Sanctuary
After you’ve purchased your strawberries, you can order light meals and refreshments from the farm’s café and sit out on the covered deck overlooking the beautiful landscape. A hot cuppa (babycinos, milkshakes or hot chocolates for little ones) and scones served with jam and cream will warm you up on a cold winter’s day. If the weather’s not too wintery, you must try the award winning fruit flavoured ice creams, marketed as Strawberry Lane Ice Creamery. It’s fruity. It’s creamy. It’s divine.
McMartin’s farm is lucky enough to be nestled between the Maroochy River and the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary. If you have time, explore the neighouring sanctuary with your Brisbane Kids before you head for home. The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens are a 20 minute drive from here.
What You Need To Know
- Open 9am-4pm Wednesday-Sunday from June until the end of the school holidays in October.
- Pick your own strawberries, undercover deck, children’s play area
- Café selling award winning homemade ice cream, Devonshire tea and other refreshments
- Plenty of parking available
- Bring hats and sunscreen for strawberry picking and uncovered playground
- If it’s been raining or you are heading here in the morning, prepare for muddy puddles (we found a plastic bag, change of clothes and shoes to be a clever idea)
- Depending on when you go they sometimes also offer a pick your own mandarin activity which is a lovely novelty for kids who have never picked from fruit trees before.
Mc Martin’s Strawberry Farm can be found at the end of Sports Road in Bli Bli. For group bookings and birthday parties, please phone (07) 54484912. For more information, including the official opening date for strawberry picking in Bli Bli each year, please visit www.mcmartinsfarm.com.au.
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