News The Stock-Your-Pantry Tour of West Gippsland
West Gippsland boasts some of the best farms in Australia, so it’s no wonder that it’s the ideal place to stock up on all your pantry needs.
Pack a basket and jump in the car for the perfect gourmand’s day out. BYO esky and ice blocks, then fill your boot with crisp veggies, orchard-fresh apples (that maybe you've picked yourself), delectable cuts of meat and smoked meats, and eggs from some of the happiest hens around.
This is a loop itinerary from Melbourne, with a total of 2:45 hours' drive time. All stops are on the fringe of Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, but with all that country calm, you'll feel like you're hours away.
The Butched with the Chef
Nar Nar Goon | 1 hour east of Melbourne
Start off at the award-winning Butcher with the Chef, where you can select from a vast range of meats. There’s marinated chicken wings, legs of lamb and t-bone steaks, and much more.
Hours: All day Mon - Fri, and Saturday mornings. Closed Sunday.
Garfield Fresh Harvest
Garfield | 10 minutes east
Zoom back onto the Princes Highway and make a stop at Garfield Fresh Harvest, where you can stock up on organic vegetables. Purchase a box or pick and choose from the seasonal produce.
Hours: Open 7 days per week.
Sherwood Park Orchard
Bunyip | 4 minutes east
Another 4 minutes on the Princes Highway and you'll reach Sherwood Park Orchard, where you can select from a delicious array of juicy fruit, jams, sauces and eggs. You can pick your own apples in season, strolling through the lovely orchard. If you're in need of a snack, there are pies and cakes in the bakery and they'll take care of your caffeine needs too.
Hours: Open 7 days per week.
Country Style Meats
Garfield, 6 minutes southwest
Slip off south from the highway and move on to Country Style Meats for a curated range of fresh cuts and ready-to-cook meals. Meats are prepared daily from ethically-raised animals. The secret is out about the smoked ham - this talented team know their way around a smoker.
Hours: All day Mon - Fri, and Saturday mornings. Closed Sunday.
Cannibal Creek Bakehouse & Luna's Cafe
Garfield | A quick 5 min stroll down the main street
Cannibal Creek Bakehouse is where you stock up on fresh, artisan sourdough loaves of bread or sweet treats. Fill your nostrils with the heavenly scent of freshly baked bread, baked to perfection in the scotch oven.
It's time to settle in for lunch - all this produce-shopping is hungry work. Pop next door to Luna’s, run by the same owners. This former garage is now an uber-cool, plant-heavy space where you can enjoy a menu of hot grain salads, soft shell crab burgers and tiger prawn orecchiette.
Hours: The bakery is open all day Wed - Sat. Closed Sun - Tue. Luna's Cafe is open every day except Tue.
Homegrown Farm
Catani | 12 minutes south
Keep the food frenzy going at the HomeGrown Farm, where you can purchase cartons of free-range eggs, laid by some very happy chickens.
Hours: Open 7 days per week.
Orchard End Farm
Bayles | 14 minutes west
Visit the farm gate at Orchard End Farm, where you can stock up on organic blueberries and homemade jams. They are growers of legendary garlic in season, and other seasonal fruit and veg.
Hours: Call ahead to arrange your visit on 0418 262 763.
From Bayles, it is a 1 hour drive back to Melbourne.
Published on under: Eat & Drink