Beerenberg Strawberry Farm, Adelaide Hills
The Adelaide Hills are a haven for food and drink lovers with a penchant for beautiful views. Here, history is entwined with local culture and quaint towns that pepper the swathes of greenery.
Beerenberg Farm sits in the Adelaide Hills and has become one of the most popular attractions in the entire country. The products farmed, produced, and sold here can now be seen in countries all over the world.
The farm itself uses only fresh, local ingredients to make products like jams, marmalades, and condiments, all of which are on sale in the onsite farm store. The farm gets its name from the German translation of ‘Beerenberg’ which means ‘berry hill’.
Based on the old German-inspired town of Hahndorf, the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm dates back to 1839 when the Paech family arrived in the area just after South Australia had been declared a state.
The first batch of jam from the farm wasn’t made until 1971, though. Before this, the farm had grown a variety of fruits and vegetables but in the 1970s it was decided by the current generation that their main focus would be on growing strawberries. Since then, Beerenberg has expanded its range of products to include 60 different items, many of which have been sold all over the world since the mid-1980s.
Today, the Paech family still own the farm, with the fifth and sixth generations making sure it’s staying true to its authentic Australian roots.
Beerenberg’s Farm Product Range
Continuing from the success of the cult favourite strawberry jam that was produced in the 1970s, Beerenberg Farm has followed on their path to success with homemade jams and the introduction of chutneys, relishes and sauces as well. Their second-best seller is the caramelised onion jam which is a rich combination of onion and spices. Their sauce collection includes favourites such as tomato, BBQ and mustard along with some unique flavours such as blue cheese, hot chip and African spice taka tala. The relishes are extremely popular with visiting guests and include flavours such as balsamic beetroot, chilli jam, and Mediterranean bruschetta.
You can purchase the farm range products onsite at the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm and if you find yourself at home and craving more of the delicious blends, you can purchase from their online store as well. The great thing about this range is that in the farm shop, you’ll be able to sample some of the delicious flavours on display. The farm shop is open every day from 9 am -5 pm except on Christmas.
Picking Your Own Strawberries at Beerenberg Farm
One of the things Beerenberg Strawberry Farm is famous for is its huge collection of strawberry plants. Between November and April, families and visitors flock to the farm to try their hand at picking their own juicy strawberries.
In a kind of bonding experience, people can hunt through the designated strawberry patch to find the perfect piece of fruit before taking their collection home with them.
Strawberry picking has been a part of the fun at Beerenberg since 1975 and, to this date, the farm has never missed a season. In fact, in Australia’s warmer months, strawberry picking at the farm has become one of the top things to do in Adelaide.
Taste of Beerenberg Experience
For another way to experience Beerenberg Strawberry Farm, why not decide on this exclusive group tour that will see you enjoying a grazing platter in a private section of the farm, hearing stories of the farm’s history. After this, you’ll be picking juicy strawberries and even get to go home with a gift bag to commemorate your time at the farm.
The Beerenberg Foundation
The Beerenberg Foundation was established to provide assistance in the longevity of the cultural and historical projects of Hahndorf. The foundation has done great work so far with the implementation of heritage signs around the village informing readers of the pioneering families of Hahndorf. They have also funded projects such as the ‘Windows and Doors’ project at the Hahndorf Academy which sees vintage-inspired signs above the doors of each of the rooms in the academy with little tidbits of information about the history of the historical building.
Getting to Beerenberg Strawberry Farm
To get to the Beerenberg Strawberry Farm which is located in Hahndorf from Adelaide, simply travel up the South Eastern Freeway and take the exit into Hahndorf town. Keep going all the way along the main stretch of road before you reach a hill – the farm shop is on the right-hand side.
If you’re walking to the farm from the centre of Hahndorf, just take a stroll down the main street and you’ll find the store about 450 metres from Otto’s Bakery. And if you’re arriving by bus, the number 57 stops right outside the farm shop.