Things to do in Greater Melbourne, Victoria: The Best Farms

Animal Land was originally established on 15th October 1985. Our Goals are to provide children a wonderful place to learn about farm animals. Animal land has been specifically set up to give children that real hands on farming experience. Children can only learn so much in the class room. Here they get to scratch, feel, smell and hear all the experiences of life on a farm. From the moment you arrive, you will be treated with that friendly country welcome. We started opening only in the last term of the year with a couple of kinders and schools. Now we have over 7500 visitors per annum. These include schools, kinders, playgoups, social groups, birthday parties, Christmas break ups and open days to the general public. Over the years there has been a lot of changes and we have plans for more. Check out some of the old and new photos we have found in the photo gallery. If you have any old animal land photos you would like to share with us drop us an email and we will include them.

Cruden Farm is one of Victoria’s most exciting green spaces. It is a place of public recreation, located less than an hour from Melbourne. Visit Cruden Farm – a special place left by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch for the people to enjoy, that is now managed by a charitable trust. Open for garden wanders Monday - Friday and one Sunday of every month (excluding public holidays). Please refer to our website for our Sunday Opening details.

Edendale Community and Environment Farm is a key destination for Nillumbik residents and visitors. The site provides a range of important social and environmental benefits through environmental education, raising awareness about sustainable lifestyles, growing and selling indigenous plants and as a place to meet, learn skills and participate through volunteering. Originally part of a 51 acre site first purchased from The Crown in 1852 by pioneer Henry Stooke, the site has now been transformed into a vibrant community environment centre which delivers a wide range of environmental and sustainability based programs. There are so many fun and informative activities all year round at Edendale including meeting our animals, visiting the Indigenous plant nursery, exploring the gardens and artwork, or enjoying a coffee at Café Eden.

Nestled on the banks of Birrarung and only 4 kilometers from the CBD, the non-profit Collingwood Children’s Farm is Melbourne's Community Farm. A haven for children and adults alike, Collingwood Childnre's Farm offers daily activities and acres of paddocks and gardens for you to explore. Cuddle a guinea pig or snuggle with goats, enjoy workshops with the gardener or sit back with a coffee and observe the goings on of a thriving community farm; there’s something for everyone! Collingwood Children’s Farm supports social inclusion through a range of programs, delivered on a working community farm. Our programs develop self-esteem, self-worth and connectedness, particularly of children and those experiencing adversity. Your entry fee directly funds these programs. On behalf of everyone at Collingwood Children’s Farm, thank you for your support.

Pick your own fruit in a traditional family orchard. Open 10am - 3pm during season. Cherries November-December (small entry fee) Peaches Plums Nectarines Apricots December-February Apples March-May Closed June-October. Apples until May. Closed for Winter - Open again November.