Caldermeade Farm and Cafe
Caldermeade Farm and Cafe
3.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Caldermeade Farm offers a unique experience for family and friends. Enjoy great food in the natural settings of a large commercial dairy farm, view milking in progress and let the children experience the joys of the animal nursery. Tractor Trailer Farm Tours are a fantastic way to see and learn more about farm life. Situated on the South Gippsland Highway just south of Pakenham and Kooweerup, Caldermeade Farm and Cafe is the ideal place to stop off on a trip to Phillip Island or a visiting the many attractions of Gippsland. Settled in 1875, Caldermeade was originally one of the region's premier beef cattle properties. Today it is a modern, fully operational commercial dairy farm focusing on educating and entertaining its visitors. Nestled behind century old Hawthorn hedges is the friendly family café providing indoor and outdoor dining. Schools, community, disabled and special interest groups can take advantage of specialized farm tours by arrangement.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
208 reviews
Excellent
57
Very good
56
Average
35
Poor
17
Terrible
43
velake
Wattle Bank, Australia4 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Living in the country (Inverloch)we have driven past this place since it was first built.
We say every time we go past that we should stop, finally today was the day.
We ordered a milkshake and a smoothie,
We waited 15-20mins then when the guy realised he had forgotten after looking at my 6.6” husband and whipped up our order.
The milkshake was warm and the smoothie was disgusting.
Save yourself $17 and visit McDonald’s 2 mins down the road.
Keep supporting local businesses.
We say every time we go past that we should stop, finally today was the day.
We ordered a milkshake and a smoothie,
We waited 15-20mins then when the guy realised he had forgotten after looking at my 6.6” husband and whipped up our order.
The milkshake was warm and the smoothie was disgusting.
Save yourself $17 and visit McDonald’s 2 mins down the road.
Keep supporting local businesses.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ebony M
4 contributions
May 2022 • Family
This was our first time going to caldermeade farm and we loved it!
We took our 15 month old and he had a blast watching the chickens, rabbits, cows, and goats. We were there at opening and were able to watch the chickens and rabbits get fed, and the calves bottle feed.
I will say, this isn’t a “petting zoo”, you cannot touch the chickens or rabbits as they are in a fully fenced in cage. You can pat the calves and baby goats but not get in the pen with them and you can feed the older goats through holes in their pen. You do not have to pay anything to go into the yard and see the animals or feed the goats.
The cafe was lovely, my partner, my son and myself shared a big breakfast and it was more than enough for us.
I definitely recommend going and checking out caldermeade farm
We took our 15 month old and he had a blast watching the chickens, rabbits, cows, and goats. We were there at opening and were able to watch the chickens and rabbits get fed, and the calves bottle feed.
I will say, this isn’t a “petting zoo”, you cannot touch the chickens or rabbits as they are in a fully fenced in cage. You can pat the calves and baby goats but not get in the pen with them and you can feed the older goats through holes in their pen. You do not have to pay anything to go into the yard and see the animals or feed the goats.
The cafe was lovely, my partner, my son and myself shared a big breakfast and it was more than enough for us.
I definitely recommend going and checking out caldermeade farm
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MyOwnOpinion21
Melbourne, Australia413 contributions
Nov 2020 • Family
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit here with our adult children, but our 2 year old granddaughter seemed to enjoy it more than us.
She had a great time feeding the goats and cow's and would have stayed all day if she could.
You can stay and watch the cows coming in to be milked and view from an upstairs viewing area, all activities are free.
The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
A limited menu, but there is something for everyone.
You can purchase dairy products, meats, pies etc to take home and reasonably priced.
Definitely pop in and have a wander around, if you aren't wanting lunch, there's always Devonshire tea to enjoy.
She had a great time feeding the goats and cow's and would have stayed all day if she could.
You can stay and watch the cows coming in to be milked and view from an upstairs viewing area, all activities are free.
The staff were very friendly and welcoming.
A limited menu, but there is something for everyone.
You can purchase dairy products, meats, pies etc to take home and reasonably priced.
Definitely pop in and have a wander around, if you aren't wanting lunch, there's always Devonshire tea to enjoy.
Written November 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue T
Melbourne, Australia3,630 contributions
Apr 2021
New reviews have told of their disappointment but Caldermeade farm has had a huge transformation of which you would know if you had previously visited quite awhile ago. The upgrades have been enormous with a huge cafe and dining area, dairy products onsite for sale and other local produce.
We had a share platter and coffee and all was very good along with the service. At the moment the cafe looks quite empty with less tables and seating but we are in difficult times so this area will improve over time. (maybe lower the price on devonshire teas) otherwise all good.
Outside has been fully landscaped and a fantastic area for the kids to run around in, play on the play equipment and go and have a look at the animals.
When the farm is completed it will be a great place to drop in, enjoy lunch and let the kids have a fun time.
We had a share platter and coffee and all was very good along with the service. At the moment the cafe looks quite empty with less tables and seating but we are in difficult times so this area will improve over time. (maybe lower the price on devonshire teas) otherwise all good.
Outside has been fully landscaped and a fantastic area for the kids to run around in, play on the play equipment and go and have a look at the animals.
When the farm is completed it will be a great place to drop in, enjoy lunch and let the kids have a fun time.
Written April 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Georgia
Brisbane, Australia14 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We visited for a few hours, had an amazing breaky, and decided to hang around for a tour and was not disappointed! Keli our guide looked after us so well, answering all the questions we had about the cattle, milking process and farm. Feeding the girls from the tractor was an absolute highlight and something to be experienced! Then it was time to play with the 3 week old calves and watch the herd get milked through the 150 year old turnstile! Kids and adults alike loved it, the dairy food was delicious and Keli really made our girls day. Thank you!
Written March 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan R
2 contributions
Jul 2022
Visited Caldermeade Cafe with my wife, step daughters and their children. Whilst the children enjoyed the animals and playground, the same cannot be said of the food at the cafe. The service was good, with the staff polite and helpful, however as we were outside and a little chilly, the patio heater were not operating, as they were "out of gas" and were told "I've told them they are empty". There were no condiments on the table, and had to find our own sugar for coffee. Knives and Forks only arrive once meals were delivered. My wife had a Brisket Burger, and the meat was just plain dry, I ordered the Pork belly, served with the minimal of sides, and a tough as old boots. Not again Caldermeade farm
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barrygallagher2024
Melbourne, Australia2 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We ended up here quite accidentally, but it turned out to be the highlight of our few days away!
We have visited several tourist locations like this where they find any reason to charge you extra for different things, but not here. No entrance fee, no additional charge to see the cows being milked from a well set up viewing platform. The video has a lot of good detail and insights into dairy farms. We got to see the cows being milked (2.30pm), various farm animals on the grounds and had lunch there.
We had enough food in two main meals for 3 of us. We will happily go back again for the food and the activities. Its not the cheapest, but we thought it was value for money. Loved the organisation and the staff were friendly and prompt (Thanks Heelspur!) An unexpected pleasure!
We have visited several tourist locations like this where they find any reason to charge you extra for different things, but not here. No entrance fee, no additional charge to see the cows being milked from a well set up viewing platform. The video has a lot of good detail and insights into dairy farms. We got to see the cows being milked (2.30pm), various farm animals on the grounds and had lunch there.
We had enough food in two main meals for 3 of us. We will happily go back again for the food and the activities. Its not the cheapest, but we thought it was value for money. Loved the organisation and the staff were friendly and prompt (Thanks Heelspur!) An unexpected pleasure!
Written July 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LBF
2 contributions
Jan 2020
After years of stopping here on our way to and from Phillip Island we stopped today Australia Day. We had not been down to the Island for 12months due to illness and looked forward to the break. What a huge disappointment. It was like visiting a different place altogether. Almost no choice on the menu,shockingly bad food,dreadful service and very expensive. The tables and chairs were dirty as were the floors,wall,window and doors. Looked uncared for. In the past it had always been crowded but only 4 tables occupied. How can a lovely place that served such nice food with pleasant and helpful staff go downhill so badly. We will not visit again and will not recommend to anyone to bother. They should be ashamed of themselves.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela G
Auckland, New Zealand1 contribution
Jul 2022
Sorry this isn’t a good review. Today we had the pies, had read about the pies and to be honest they were shocking. Watery bits of meat and loads of fat, which I picked out. Just terrible and disappointing. Ordered two Lattes….no coffee in it. Pale milky coloured and no flavour of coffee, there again very very upsetting and we will not be back.
Please sort yourselves out Caldermeade farm cafe…you have a good wee place there but your food and beverages are not worth the money.
Pamela
Please sort yourselves out Caldermeade farm cafe…you have a good wee place there but your food and beverages are not worth the money.
Pamela
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andrew b
1 contribution
Nov 2021
The Caldermeade restaurant/Cafe is a very poorly run business.
The food arrived one hour after ordering and it was less than Luke warm and not particularly delicious.
From arrival to leaving was two and a half hours.
The business has attempted to 'improved' the experience in terms of increasing the size and space between tables, toilets etc. but it falls down heavily in service and quality.
We, as a family often called in at Caldermeade on our way to Phillip Island and always looked forward to the experience. Since the revamp we have been three times and each of those experiences have been very disappointing.
We will not be going back there.
The food arrived one hour after ordering and it was less than Luke warm and not particularly delicious.
From arrival to leaving was two and a half hours.
The business has attempted to 'improved' the experience in terms of increasing the size and space between tables, toilets etc. but it falls down heavily in service and quality.
We, as a family often called in at Caldermeade on our way to Phillip Island and always looked forward to the experience. Since the revamp we have been three times and each of those experiences have been very disappointing.
We will not be going back there.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Why do you not have a simple item such as a toasted cheese sandwich on your menu? And why did the nice server have to " consult the Chef to see if we serve that"?.The answer was NO! Any local milkbar will do such a simple order!! And you are a DIARY?? Unbelievable! I have shared my experience online and most people cannot see how such a simple item cannot/will not be served here.Boy,have you made an error here.But i guess money before service,right??
Written January 14, 2021
I see - so a toasted cheese sandwich is a special order?If that is what you think then it is time for you to change your vocation.The "Chef" made it quite clear that this simple item would not be on the menu,and indeed it was not on the printed menu.Any cook or chef will oblige with such a simple item - and you are a Diary!My posting has caused much merriment on the web - comments include"you have to be kidding"etc but this critique only serves to highlight a glaring shortcoming in managment - obviously not in touch.Your crack about milkbars only serves to show your lack of a logical explanation over this issue.What astounds me is your comment about renovations possibly affecting the menu! Just ludicrous!
Written January 16, 2021
Hi. We visited your farm in January in the way to Phillip Island. Fantastic milkshakes and food. Do you sell your soaps?? We bought the colostrum soap and it worked fantastically on my husband's rash on his arms. Would like to buy more and get it posted to either us in the UK or to our daughter in Sydney. Thanks Jill
Written February 6, 2019
Hi Jill, when we visited we didn’t notice them selling soaps but if you ring them direct they might be able to help you
Written February 6, 2019
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