Some of the best travel experiences come from side-line conversations between host and visitor. Moments that might start out with a presentation on how cheese is made that turn into chats on where the locals get their coffee or their favourite bush walk.
As more producers see the value in talking directly to people about their place and ways of production, it opens up truly valuable experiences for visitors to get a sense of where they are.
Online booking systems have made it easier for both producers and visitors to take part in immersive experiences. Having a booking confirmation helps plan a trip away, leading to richer and unhurried moments to remember.
Most of our accommodation and hospitality members have online reservations too, so you can plan out your visit to the Otway region – look over the best places to stay, and places to eat.
Connect with people, product and place in the Otways with these great experiences.
Brae. Visit the farm behind the food.
Brae Guided Farm Tours 11am-12pm Fridays and Saturdays, year round. Bookings are essential, via the @braerestaurant website.
Join Head Gardener @the_greenacre for a one-hour guided walk through Brae’s 20-acre organic farm, where you’ll see what’s in season, taste what’s being harvested and discover how the land shapes what we serve.
Wander through the vegetable gardens, orchards, olive grove and polytunnel. See the crops that make their way into the kitchen, and hear how composting, cover crops, soil health, organic pest management and biodynamics are helping us care for the farm for the long term.
Fridays & Saturdays at 11am
$30 per person, including a drink made with produce from the farm.
Advance bookings essential. Add a farm tour when you reserve your visit to Brae.
Non-diners are welcome too! Call ahead to book your place.
https://braerestaurant.com/journal/brae-farm-guided-tours
Apostle Whey Cheese
Looking for the ultimate food tourism experience while visiting the 12 Apostles and Great Ocean Road?
Ever wondered how milk, cheese and ice cream you buy in shops is made and where it comes from?
https://www.apostlewheycheese.com.au/apostle-whey-cheese-great-ocean-road-farm-tours
Heritage Alpaca Co.
An unforgettable tour that will immerse you in the gentle world of alpacas.
A Stroll Through the Pastures, Supervised Feeding Frenzy, Lead an Alpaca Adventure, Picture-Perfect Moments, Warm up in our farm shop.
https://www.heritagealpacaco.com.au/farm-tours
Keayang Maar Vineyard
Vines + Volcanoes tour,
Join a guided walking tour of Keayang Maar learning about the unique terroir of this vineyard that is located in the middle of the third largest volcanic region in the world.
Taste our cool-climate wines shaped by the unique soils of the New Volcanic Plains region.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
■ Guided walk learning about the dormant volcanic maar crater
■ Behind-the-scenes winery & cellar door visit
■ Curated 4-wine flight with tasting notes
■ The four-generation dairy to wine, family story
WHEN & WHERE
Every Wed – Fri, 11:00 & 2:00 pm | Private bookings & flexible tour times available | Allow 50 min for tour |
182 Maguires Rd, Dixie VIC 3265
https://www.keayangmaar.com/vines-volcanoes-tour
Tarndwarncoort. Wool – the heritage and the craft.
Immerse yourself in a heritage space dedicated to wool growing and hand making.
Tarndwarncoort (or Tarndie for short) is a small scale farm and yarn store focused on Polwarth wool. It is tailored to crafters – knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, dyeing.
You can book a specific time to visit and have the confidence of planning a trip.
https://www.tarndie.com/farm-shop
