Brisbane Kids of all ages will enjoy strawberry picking in Bli Bli on the Sunshine Coast at the picturesque McMartin’s Strawberry Farm.
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.
While strawberries are the predominant winter crop, custard apples, lychees and mandarins are also grown throughout the year.
McMartin’s Strawberry Farm – What To Expect
McMartin’s farm is about hour or so from the Brisbane and offers a fun morning or afternoon outing for Brisbane families.
After parking, enter the gift shop and ask for a container to collect your strawberries in.
The gift shop has lots of lovely products to tempt you including strawberry themed merchandise, jams and other treats.
When you are ready, follow the directions to the day’s allocated picking field and start filling your container with ripe, plump, sweet and juicy strawberries.
Remember, you are not allowed to eat the strawberries while you are picking them. You have to pay for them before you start tucking in.
With plenty of strawberry plants to choose from, you will not be disappointed. When your have gathered enough strawberries to suit your need, return to the gift shop and have them weighed and priced before paying the friendly staff.
Then for the best bit – wash, eat, repeat!
Depending on when you visit, the farm may also offer pick your own mandarins, which is a lovely novelty for kids who have never picked fruit direct from trees before.
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.
Of course it will be hard not to try one of the many flavours of homemade gelato, often including flavours with fruits grown on site, such as strawberries and custard apples.
Top Tips For Choosing Your Strawberries
Choose berries which 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 which are dull, or have green or yellow patches.
Wash and handle strawberries with 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.
Strawberry Picking Top Tips
- Follow the rules – no eating strawberries while you are picking and no running int he fields or standing on the plants
- Wear gumboots or old shoes (it can get muddy due to irrigation or rain)
- Bring a dirty shoe bag to put in dirty gumboots and shoes before you get back in the car (you will thank us for this one later!).
- Bring sun protection – lather on the sunscreen and bring a hat
- Get there early to score the freshest, best berries
- Bring baby wipes to clean grubby hands and faces after eating the strawberries on the way home
- Wash your strawberries before you eat them
McMartins Strawberry Farm features
- Pick your own (PYO) strawberries (and at times other fruits)
- Small gift shop
- Cafe
- Toilets
- Off-street parking
Generally the farm is open for pick your own strawberries from June until the end of the school holidays in October, but this will always depends on the weather and crop availability. It is always best to check McMartins website or social media before visiting.
While You Are in the Area
McMartin’s farm is lucky enough to be nestled between the Maroochy River and the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary. If you have time, explore the neighbouring sanctuary with your Brisbane Kids before you head for home.
The Sunshine Castle is a short 5 minute drive away and the peaceful Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens are a 20 minute drive from the farm.
How to Get to McMartins Strawberry Farm
Mc Martin’s Strawberry Farm can be found at the end of Sports Road in Bli Bli.
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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