Hawkes Farm — it's in the soil

Richard Hawkes is a sixth-generation Hawkes farmer. That means Hawkes hands have been pulling fresh fruit and vegetables out of Victorian soil for more than 100 years. 

The Hawkes family bought the current 140-acre farm in the early 1970s.

Things changed in 2007 when Farmer Richard started growing the trusty potato in a small area on the Boneo farm, and today Hawkes’ Premium Kipflers are served in restaurants across Australia. 

Turning off the Boneo Road, the sandy soil we’re so accustomed to seeing in these parts makes for a friendly welcome down a long drive past pick ‘n’ ride tour trailers, the new picnic lawn, and a 1970-something red Farmall Tractor for the kids (and the big kids) to play on.

The farm gate, which started as a few bags of spuds and an honesty box, stocks fresh produce from around the Peninsula – and even further afield for a handful of specialist goods. 

Many farmers and producers in the region supply around the nation but do not sell direct, so Hawkes Farm is making the best of local available to everyone, in a sustainable and responsible one-stop shop and farmgate experience. Hawkes even won gold in the Food Tourism 2019 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards.

The shelves are brimming with the usual local suspects, but also features produce that is harder to find, including Cape Schanck Olive Estate olive oil, Red Hill Truffles and hazelnuts, Rye Sourdough Co, and Tuerong Farm flour.

Friendly farmgate staff serve up fresh Little Rebel coffee and cakes supplied by the Hidden Kitchen in Tootgarook, while Hawkes’ very own iconic Farm Kitchen whips up strawberry smoothies in the summer, hot soup in the winter, and the most divine hand-cut, thrice cooked hot chips all year round.