Otway Harvest Trail

07/01/2025

Summer in the Otways…

Long, warm days roll into spectacular sunsets and deliciously mild evenings, as the green foothills slowly change to a golden brown.

You’ll see farmers cutting and bailing hay into the night, some of them transforming their harvest into festive sculptures to see in the holidays. Potato farmers are also busy in the warmer months planting crops for the autumn harvest.

The buzz returns to our villages and towns as beach crowds seek respite in cool valleys or a quick dip in one of the chilly waterfalls.

Pick-your-own berry farms are bursting with ripe fruit and there’s nothing better than taste testing a perfect sun-kissed raspberry before filling your bucket.

Vineyards are also lush and green, as new season grapes ripen in the sunshine in preparation for autumn’s vintage.

Outdoor tables at pubs, cafes and restaurants are prime real estate. Summer is a wonderful time to explore the Otways, as the spring mud dries out to allow regular
cars back on the windy bush tracks.

Visit the makers and growers along the way and find a shady spot for a picnic to sit and enjoy the Otways…
📸 thanks to

05/01/2025

M e m b e r S p o t l i g h t

OTWAY ESTATE
Otway Estate, producers of Prickly Moses, combining great tasting beer with key environmental practices.

Created in the Otways with pure rainwater utilising solar power for production and repurposing spent grain to minimise our environmental footprint.

We’ve created award winning handcrafted beers for you to enjoy. Come visit our cellar door and experience limited edition exclusive beers.

10 Hoveys Road, Barongarook 3249
03 5233 8400
[email protected]
pricklymoses.com.au

28/12/2024

A Friendly Reminder for Safe Driving in the Otways

Whether you’re lucky enough to call the Otways home or are visiting this stunning region, we kindly ask all drivers to stay safe and focused on the roads. Here are some important tips:
• Keep a Safe Distance: Avoid tailgating; allow plenty of space between your car and the one in front.
• Follow Speed Limits: Stick to posted speed limits—they’re there to keep everyone safe.
• Stay in Your Lane: Drive in the middle of your lane and avoid crossing the center line.
• Avoid Unsafe Stops: Please don’t pull over in areas without room for others to pass safely, especially to take photos.
• Watch for Wildlife: Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
• Respect the Environment: Don’t litter or leave rubbish in overflowing bins where native animals can get into it.

In just the last two days, I’ve witnessed four near-misses on our roads. Let’s work together to keep this beautiful area safe for everyone—residents, visitors, and wildlife alike.

Wishing you all a happy and safe time as we roll into the new year!

24/12/2024

As the year comes to a close, the Otway Harvest Trail committee sends our warmest wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, and joyful New Year!

Keep an eye out for updates from our members, including opening hours and events, so you can plan your visits and enjoy the very best the Otways have to offer.

We look forward to welcoming you back to the Otways in the near future.

Wishing you a festive season filled with happiness,
Tom, Ami, Di, Sandra, Vicki & Sal 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄

22/12/2024

OTWAY HARVEST TRAIL – Christmas Gift Guide


FOR THE WINE CONNISSEUR

Here’s a wonderful opportunity to support a small winemaker doing big things in Timboon. Babche Wines has a limited number of mixed packs ready to deliver to your door. The packs feature three wines from their 2024 vintage, all hand-picked and made without additives. Each pack includes a bottle of deliciously savoury Rosé, a sparkly dry Lambrusco and Babche’s take on 100% Chardonnay Brut, the Farmer’s Fizz.

Order at babchewines.com or pop in to Babche’sTasting Room in Timboon, serving wines by the glass and delicious local produce from Friday to Monday, noon to 5pm.

Shop 3 / 9 Main Street, Timboon, 3268
0487 561 365
[email protected]
babchewines.com

22/12/2024

OTWAY HARVEST TRAIL – Christmas Gift Guide

FOR THE FOOD LOVER

Need help buying a gift for that person with everything? Ask for a made-to-order gift box from the team at Greavesy’s, Terang’s own purveyors of all things fresh and local.

Pop in to the shop, open seven days a week, or go online to order festive gift boxes featuring local makers and growers on the Otway Harvest Trail. Expect fresh produce, meat and seafood through to locally made sweets, liquor and gifts.

Greavesy’s deliver across the south-west, including Terang, Mortlake, Camperdown, Timboon, Peterborough, Garvoc, Panmure, Warrnambool and Port Campbell.

44 High Street, Terang
03 5592 2595
[email protected]
greavesys.com.au

20/12/2024

OTWAY HARVEST TRAIL – Christmas Gift Guide


FOR BIRD LOVERS

How cute is this cheeky kookaburra? It’s one of a collection of native bird sculptures hand built in clay by Winchelsea’s Alison Dean, who also runs Smooth Vibes food van selling super-fresh smoothies and healthy snacks from her vintage caravan at local markets across the Otway Ranges.

Alison’s collection of bird sculptures (from $60) include a very stern looking Tawny Frogmouth owls and truly joyful Cockatoo. All of her clay creations are fired at a high temperature, so they can keep watch either inside the home or outside in the garden.

To buy one, contact Alison on 0403 758 718 or [email protected].

18/12/2024

OTWAY HARVEST TRAIL – Christmas Gift Guide

FOR DOG LOVERS

Here’s some Christmas cheer from Countrywide Cottages, the best dog friendly holiday accommodation on the Great Ocean Road. With every booking or gift voucher purchased in December, you get a free bottle of Dog Lovers Gin and a bag of Purple Chips. Valued at $95, it’s our festive gift to you, and both the gin and the chips are proudly made in the Otway Ranges.

To qualify, spend a minimum of $250 on a voucher, or book to stay with us anytime in 2025 and use the code OHT2024.

Questions? Call Di on 0419 114 786 or email [email protected]

17/12/2024

“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the mind.”

– Luther Burbank

16/12/2024

Today was so hot and windy, but so thankful for the cool change that has come…

16/12/2024

OTWAY HARVEST TRAIL – Christmas Gift Guide

FOR THE CONNISSEUR 

Bakers at the Loaf and Lounge in Camperdown are famous across south-west Victoria for their festive treats, with irresistible mince tarts, old-school gingerbread and buttery shortbread in good supply, but there’s one treat that never fails to impress - the bakery’s small batch Christmas cakes. Made from scratch to a secret family recipe, with beautifully preserved vintages dating back to 2020, these cakes are baked in the cold of winter with local organic eggs and the finest selection of well-soaked dried fruits. The batter for each cake weighs a staggering 1.5kg when it goes in the oven, creating a dreamy sweet aroma right up Manifold Street. The baked cakes are then wrapped in muslin until Christmas, carefully unwrapped every two weeks for another soaking of the bakery’s special alcohol blend, and then turned over to rest for another 14 days. It’s a process as gentle as it is patient, and it’s tradition to unwrap the cakes for the last time on December 1 and give them a final wash of Cognac for good measure. Priced from $110 to $170, these cakes are a great Christmas gift.

Visit the baker at 223 Manifold St, Camperdown, or call (03) 5593 1521

15/12/2024

Here’s a fabulous last minute holiday!

15/12/2024

M e m b e r S p o t l i g h t

THE VAULT – OSTRICH FARM AND AUSTRALIAN GIFT SHOP

Our Ostrich Farm Shop & Australian Gift Shop has a large range of Australian goods from local suppliers to complement its wide range of ostrich products. It is situated in the former Winchelsea National Australia Bank, where a large bank vault is used to house leather goods.

A wide range of high quality leather goods made from ostrich, kangaroo and emu leather, including bags, corporate items, wallets and belts can be found at the Vault. Ostrich meat, ostrich mettwursts and ostrich eggs for eating are also available.

In addition, ostrich goods including dusters, boas, feather handbags, plumes and ostrich egg shells are available.

The Vault also specialises in a unique range of local and Australian made gifts and souvenirs, including cards by regional artists, linen, hides, wood products, children’s books, sheep skin Ugg boots, glasses, platters, cups, hats and children’s books.

An extensive range of emu products is also stocked including pure emu oil, massage oils, lip balms and capsules.

Come buy ostrich goods direct from the producer and learn about their benefits.
Visit our farm shop or online shop. Or book a farm tour of the Ostrich Breeder farm for a unique informative experience. Group farm tours can be made by appointment.   Check website for more details & online shop.

Open: Oct-May Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Jun-Sept Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Other times by appointment

30 Main St Winchelsea, VIC

61439311303
[email protected]
ostrichaustralia.com.au

12/12/2024

M e m b e r S p o t l i g h t

COMMON GROUND PROJECT
Common Ground Project is a regenerative farm, cafe, social enterprise and charity with a mission to connect and empower the community through farming, food and hospitality. With an onsite cafe and Food Hub showcasing the produce not only from the farm but other local producers in the region. Common Ground Project aims to be a community hub for locals and tourists alike with all profits circulating back into training and employment programs across the organisation.

Open: Wed-Sun 8am-3pm

675 Anglesea Rd, Freshwater Creek 3217
03 5264 5082
[email protected]
commongroundproject.com.au

06/12/2024

It’s on tomorrow in Colac at the Showgrounds! But well! Buy local and visit the great stores on the Main Street and surrounds!

Planning to come to the Colac Growers and Makers Market this Saturday from 10am to 2pm at the Colac Showgrounds? From 10 - 10:30, we will have young local musicians performing. Come along early and support them while enjoying a morning coffee. Bring the kids - we will have a badge making activity for them.

04/12/2024

A fabulous opportunity for hospitality professionals.
with .repost
・・・
Join our front of house team!

+ Work from 1 to 4 days a week
+ Have Sunday to Tuesday to yourself every week
+ Work full time, part time or casual
+ Take holidays during our annual closures mid-year, Christmas and New Year every year
+ Visa holders welcome
+ Join us now or in the new year
+ Bar skills preferred

Click the link in our bio to Join Our Team.

Our front of house team is dressed by . Photos by

03/12/2024

02/12/2024

M e m b e r S p o t l i g h t

PENNYROYAL RASPBERRY FARM
Come down and pick your own gorgeous Raspberries and Blackberries. YUM!
Pennyroyal Raspberry farm is a family owned berry farm located in Murroon in the Otways. It has been operating organically for over 30 years and grows over ten varieties of berries including raspberries, American brambles, boysenberries, jostaberries and red currants.
We also sell farm made cider & preserves as well as alpacas & alpaca products.

The farm is open for pick your own berries during December and January. Check website for seasonal updates and opening hours, depending upon berry availability.

Open: check our website for opening hours

Summary of opening dates and times:
Fri Nov 29 - Mon Dec 2 PYO and farm shop open
Tues Dec 3 - Wed Dec 4 Closed
Thurs Dec 5 - Mon Dec 9 PYO and farm shop open
Tues Dec 10 -Wed Dec 11 Closed
Thurs Dec 12 - Fri Dec 13 PYO and farm shop open
Sat Dec 14 - Mon Dec 16 PYO, farm shop and Cafe open
Tues Dec 17 - Wed Dec 18 Closed
Thurs Dec 19 - Tues Dec 24 PYO, farm shop and Cafe open
Wed Dec 25 - Thurs Dec 26 Closed
Thurs Dec 27 - Tues Dec 31 PYO, farm shop and Cafe open
Wed Jan 1 Closed
Thurs Jan 2 - Sun Jan 5 PYO, farm shop and Cafe open
Then subject to berry availability.

115 Division Rd Murroon
0475 899 326
[email protected]
pennyroyalraspberry.com