Fun, farms and families: a long weekend in Port Macquarie

The most chaotic traffic conditions encountered in the Greater Port Macquarie region over the weekend will likely occur at the FUN Organics farm when some 2500 resident chickens are moved from paddock to paddock in purpose-built caravans.

FUN Organics (Farming Under Nature) is one of 11 farms around the Port Macquarie area that will be creaking open its gates to the public over the June long weekend for the inaugural Farm Gate Trail.

Chris and Ann Eggert manage the 200-hectare organic farm along with Chris's father Paul and mum Jenny, who also has a yoga studio on-site.

Ann Eggert says she welcomes the opportunity to offer families an educational introduction to life on the farm. But she says it's not all about clucking over the farm's chickens and cows.

"A lot of city folk don't think too much about the food they eat. They buy eggs and milk from the supermarket and meat that has been cryovacked," Eggert says.

"There's something so earthy and fantastic about showing people where their food comes from. Families love it and all appreciate different things: a toddler might just want to look at the tractor, the older kids love collecting the eggs or feeding the calves, and the parents might just appreciate the fact they can enjoy morning tea while their kids are happy," she says.

Eggert says many of those who visit the farm, which has been in the family for five generations, alter their buying habits after the open days. She says getting up close and personal with the resident animals also helps families forge a link between food and farming.

"Many visitors to the farm now seek out our organic eggs because they have learned first-hand about how superior the nutrition of an organic egg is and realise they are getting more bang for their buck with both our eggs and our milk," says Eggert, whose three boys Lachlan, 10, James, 8 and Billy, 3, all help out with everyday duties on the farm.

"We want to build farms that are sustainable not just environmentally, but socially as well. This is the kind of operation where children are welcome. Children might learn all about the environment from their parents or teachers, but sustainability is more than just a buzzword: seeing it in action adds to those layers of learning," she says.

Eleven farms that don't usually open to the public are included on the suggested Farm Trail itinerary, which covers poultry, dairy, garlic and essential oils, beef, pork, eggs, native bush foods, sheep's cheese, alpacas and macadamias.

From farms to vineyards

Getting off the farm trail, Bago Vineyards is another happy place for families. This Sunday, the vineyard will be hosting an afternoon of jazz in the vines, where parents can pull up on a patch of lawn to enjoy a cheese platter and glass of wine while letting their children loose in the largest hedge maze in NSW.

Also a short drive away from the craggy Port Macquarie coastline, along a lovely curl of road, you will find Cassegrain Winery, which overlooks rolling vineyards and grounds carpeted in colour from more than 2000 rose bushes. While the adults indulge in a few gulps of wine at the cellar door, younger children are catered for in a dedicated kids’ corner stocked with colouring-in pencils and paper. You can also enjoy some of the outstanding wines produced at the family run vineyard at the adjoining restaurant, Ca Marche, which, as well as serving French fare, has a reasonably priced children’s menu.

For a more budget-friendly lunchtime alternative, head to the Hastings Farmers' Market in Port Macquarie where you can DIY lunch with a loaf of sourdough, a fistful of lettuce, artisanal cheeses and smoked trout.

Another casual lunch option is the iconic Big Oyster Seafood & Cafe, where you can enjoy oysters or an ample serving of fish'n'chips on an outdoor deck overlooking the Hastings River.

Children will love working up an appetite at pick-your-own-fruit farm Ricardoes Tomatoes & Strawberries. The less green-fingered should head straight to Cafe Red to sample sweet and savoury treats inspired by food plucked fresh from the farm: try a wedge of strawberry shortcake or scones with strawberry jam.

Back on the Farm Trail, and Jill and Ian McKittrick of Ewetopia, a new enterprise specialising in the production of sheep milk's cheese, will give children the chance to muck in to help herd the sheep and milk the resident cow, Butterscotch. Ewetopia will be serving scones with strawberry jam over the long weekend.

The self-drive Farm Gate Tour in the Hastings and Camden Haven area costs $30 to attend all the events. Details:portmacquarieinfo.com.au/explore