Sages Cottage Farm (Baxter)
Sages Cottage Farm is a wonderful family-friendly destination in Baxter on the Mornington Peninsula, combining a working farm, friendly animals, beautiful gardens, walking trails, a sensory garden, children's play area and a welcoming café.
The 38-acre property is operated by Wallara Australia, a disability support organisation. The farm provides employment and training opportunities for people with disability in areas including hospitality, horticulture, retail and animal care.
General entry to the farm is free, making it a lovely place to bring children for a relaxed visit.
Farm Animals:
Families can wander around the farm and see a variety of animals, including goats, alpacas, miniature ponies, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs.
Visitors can view the animals during a self-guided visit. For a closer encounter, guided animal experiences are offered by advance booking.
Play Area:
There is a children's play area near the café, providing an additional attraction for families with younger children.
Gardens and Walking Trails:
The farm has extensive gardens, bushland, wetlands and open paddocks to explore.
The walking experiences include:
- Wetlands Walk: A nearly 400m accessible pathway around the water, with opportunities to observe birds, frogs and other wildlife.
- Bushland Walk: A peaceful walk through native vegetation, beginning near the Guardian sculptures.
- Sensory Garden: An inclusive garden with tactile pathways, gentle water features, interactive sculptures and quiet seating areas.
- Flower Farm: A working flower-growing area featuring seasonal blooms, with flowers available for purchase at the farm shop.
Historic Sages Cottage:
The heritage-protected property dates back to the 1850s. The historic cottage was built by John and Maria Sage, who were connected to Benjamin Baxter, an early European settler in the district.
The cottage and surrounding heritage buildings provide an interesting glimpse into the area's early farming history.
Sages Café:
Sages Café is located in the historic Baxter Barn and offers coffee, breakfast, lunch, light meals and house-made treats.
The menu features seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce, including herbs and vegetables grown on the farm.
There is indoor and outdoor seating, making it a pleasant spot for families to relax while enjoying the farm surroundings.
The café also provides employment and hospitality training opportunities for people with disability.
Farm Gate Shop:
The farm shop sells a changing range of products, including seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh flowers, plants, seedlings, jams, chutneys, handmade gifts and locally produced items.
Many products are grown, prepared or created on the property.
Guided Farm Tours:
Guided tours provide opportunities to learn about the history of Sages Cottage Farm, explore its gardens and wetlands, and meet some of the resident animals.
Special animal meet-and-greet experiences may also be available during school holidays, with opportunities for supervised animal interaction and feeding.
Bookings are essential for guided experiences, and tour availability varies.
See guided farm tours and bookings for current experiences and availability.
Accessibility:
Sages Cottage Farm aims to provide an inclusive experience for visitors of different abilities.
Facilities include accessible walking pathways, open areas, quiet spaces and the specially designed Sensory Garden.
Visitors with particular accessibility requirements are encouraged to contact the farm before visiting.
Important Information:
- General entry to the farm is free.
- Guided animal experiences require advance bookings.
- Children must be supervised around farm animals and waterways.
- Dogs are not permitted.
- There is on-site parking.
Opening Hours:
Current opening hours
Cost:
Current tour prices and bookings
Birthday Parties:
The Stables at Sages Cottage Farm offers private celebrations, including birthday events. This is a separately operated event venue, rather than a dedicated children's farm birthday party package.
See The Stables at Sages Cottage Farm for private event enquiries.
Location
85 Sages Road, Baxter 3911 View Map
✆ 0437 421 074
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ sagescottage.com.au
→ Sages Cottage Farm on Facebook
