We’re well into the summer season, which means that you can soon frolic among some beautiful sunflowers. And luckily for us, there’s quite a few sunflower farms near Melbourne, where you can either admire the blooms or pick your own sunflowers to take home. Take some pretty photos of the cheerful blooms, and bring the whole family along for a nice day in the garden. Just remember to wear sensible shoes, and if it’s a pick-your-own event, bring along secateurs and a bucket.
Just remember that this is a weather-dependent event, and that all sunflower fields have different blooming times. It’s best to check the venue’s social media first before you go. Some of these places also require booking a ticket in advance.
$10 entry for adults, flowers are $3 a stem
Drive about 1.5 hours from Melbourne to this lovely sunflower farm in Modewarre. Walk through the paddock, take some lovely pictures and pick your own blooms to take home. You’re welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy among the sunflowers, or pop by the Airstream for some light refreshments. Surf Coast Sunflowers is now open for a limited season, from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, and evening sessions from 5pm to 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. This is a weather-dependent activity, so stay updated via their Instagram.
CERES Joe’s Market Garden
For flower picking in Melbourne’s suburbs, why don’t you head to CERES Joe’s Market Garden in Coburg? On Fridays and Saturdays, from now until April, you can pop into this garden and pick your own summer blooms. There’s sunflowers, of course, as well as dahlias, everlasting daisies, zinnias and more gorgeous flowers. Learn more here.
Pick Your Own Sunflowers
Take a day trip to Dunnstown, not too far from Ballarat, to try the popular Pick Your Own Sunflowers experience. Wander through the field and pick your own bright blooms to take home. Just remember to bring your own secateurs or scissors, as well as a bucket to carry the flowers. Dogs are welcome too, as long as they’re on a leash. The season is expected to begin in late February or early March.
Girasole
If you’re closer to the Yarra Valley, go and pick some stunning sunflowers at the Girasole farm. Walk through the blooming rows, take some photos and bring the flowers home. You should bring your own secateurs and bucket, but secateurs are also available to hire if you forget. Pack a picnic and stay a little longer, and bring your dog along too for a wholesome day out. This space is expected to open for the season in February.
The Farmgate Shop
Swing by The Farmgate Shop for fresh produce, then pop into their 21-acre sunflower field. During the blooming season, you can pick some sunflowers and wander among the blooms. You’ll find it about 30 minutes away from Ballarat. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for opening dates, prices and more details.
Sault Restaurant
This dreamy restaurant near Daylesford is more famous for its lovely lavender fields, but they’ve got a superb amount of sunflowers too. If you’d like to visit during the summer season, and you don’t have a restaurant booking, entry is $5 per person. Walk between the rows and enjoy looking at these beautiful blooms. Please note, you can’t pick the flowers here, and the space is not available for picnics. If you have a restaurant booking at Sault, you can enter the gardens for free.
The flower fields are also available for professional photography. These must be booked in advance, and the fee is $200 for one hour, or $350 for two hours. Learn more here.
Mornington Green Living Legacy Gardens
For something a little different, head to the peaceful Mornington Green and explore their memorial gardens. Walk through ‘the world’s largest sunflower’, a garden filled with 3,000 sunflowers, planted to look like a huge sunflower from above. The garden is open throughout the year, and the blooms look best in summer. See more here.
Western District Sunflowers
Located in Hamilton, about 3.5 hours away from Melbourne, Western District Sunflowers is a bit trickier for a day trip, but makes for a great stop if you’re visiting the Grampians. When they open for the season, you’ll be able to pick your own sunflowers on weekends. Just bring your own secateurs and bucket. This spot is cash only. Look out for updates on their Facebook page.