HAWKESBURY HARVEST FARM GATE TRAIL

Reporter: SALLY OBERMEDER

Sally’s on the farm gate trail in the Hawkesbury ... and she’s not just shopping for the freshest stuff around, she’s actually picking her own produce straight off the trees! 

Kookootonga Walnut & Chestnut  Farm
Over a hundred years old, Kookootonga is a charming nut farm where you can gather your own walnuts and chestnuts each autumn.

Kookootonga has been owned and operated by Bill and Ruth Scrivener for 50 years.
There are 40 acres of chestnuts and walnuts so you can pick up a bucket at the door, and collect as much as you want. Walnuts and chestnuts are actually not picked off the tree, because when they are on the tree they are not yet ripe. They are ripe once they fall off the tree.

On weekends up to 500 people will pass through Kookootonga. The current price for chestnuts is $8 a kilo and walnuts are $6 a kilo.

More Information
Kookootonga Walnut & Chestnut Farm
247 Mt Irvine Road, Mt Irvine

Prices correct as at 21/04/07

Shields Orchard
The Shields Family has been farming at this property since its establishment in 1955.
The property is about 6 hectares in size and has about 4.5 hectares under cultivation.
The main produce that is grown here is apples – in fact there’s 3.5 hectares of apples!
In the summer season (January to mid March) there’s also .75 hectares of stone fruit – peaches, cherries and plums.

Shields Orchard has about 1650 apple trees of 11 different varieties, including some boutique varieties like Cox Orange Pippen of which there are small numbers.
Of course there are also lots of varieties which we all know and love, like the Sundowners and the Pink Lady.

Stock up on all your favourites at the Farm Gate, or better yet, grab a basket and pick your own! The Farm Gate is open every day in season (Jan to mid May) from 9am to 5pm, and apples are currently $2 a kilo!

More Information
Shields Orchard
2270 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin

Prices correct as at 21/04/07

Pit – Stops: Pine Crest Orchard & Lochiel House
From January to May you can enjoy a day out with your family picking your own fruit, strolling through the fruit trees and appreciating the adjoining Australian bush. 
Pine Crest Orchard also sells homemade jams including Apple and Blackberry, Peach and Apple or Traditional Plum Jam. The Shed also stocks locally made apple juice, honey, apple pies and nuts (when in season).

So why not make a day of it and come to Pine Crest Orchard to experience all nature has to offer - straight from the trees into your hand.
Pine Crest Orchard is open Friday to Monday from 9am to 5pm or by appointment.

Lochiel House
Lochiel House is an award-winning restaurant in a colonial cottage built in 1825, with a number of cosy rooms, 3 open fireplaces & a tree-shaded courtyard. Each individually flavoured dish is brought to life with love & inspiration by the owners & chefs, Monique Maul & Anthony Milroy, using local quality produce wherever possible.

Lochiel House is open Thursday & Friday from 11am - 3pm and 6pm - 9pm. On Saturday from 10am - 3pm and 6pm - 9pm and Sunday from 10am - 4.30pm.

More Information
Lochiel House
1259 Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong Heights

Find out about all the great produce in season and visit the growers on the Hawkesbury Harvest Farm Gate Trail.  All the information you need is on the website.
www.hawkesburyharvest.com.au