OUR STORY
Owned by the Gallace family, Rocky Creek is more than just a farm—it’s a commercial wholesale brand, a retail label, and a beloved “pick your own” destination.
OUR HISTORY:
The Gallace family’s passion for strawberries began with Matt Gallace’s father, Mick, who saw the potential in the sweet red berries. It all started when Matt’s grandfather, Peter, purchased the farm in the early 1960s. Originally, Peter planted an orchard, but fruit trees take years to bear crops. To help with cashflow during this time, they planted strawberries between the maturing fruit trees. Mick developed such a love affair with strawberries that while Peter was away visiting family in Calabria in 1968, Mick made a bold decision—he cleared the orchard and replanted the land with strawberries. When Peter returned, he shook his head at the sight of the new crops but soon joined his son in building what would become a thriving strawberry farm. As Matt fondly recalls, “I guess my grandfather knew the future was in strawberries.”
THE NEXT CHAPTER:
Today, Matt continues the family tradition, using sustainable farming methods passed down through generations. Though the rich soil of Main Ridge is fertile, strawberries are demanding crops. To ensure the soil remains healthy, Matt plants a green manure crop a season in advance, made up of rye corn, oats and other annuals. This is later tilled into the soil along with compost and manure, nurturing the soil’s microbiome, which is essential for unlocking nutrients. “We want to feed the soil’s microscopic bugs,” says Matt. “Without them, the soil can’t properly support the strawberries.”
The farm now grows a number of varieties of strawberries, most notably, Albion—all handpicked, chilled, and packed on-site. The Albion variety, known for its large, sweet berries, is reserved for the “pick your own” experience, while the other varieties are sold under the Moonah Ridge brand.
The Gallace family’s strawberry story first took off under the name Sunny Ridge Strawberries. After selling their farms located in Main Ridge, Boneo, Yarra Valley & Queensland including the café and “pick your own” business almost a decade ago, they bought back the Main Ridge cafe and “pick your own farm” during the COVID pandemic and rejuvenated it under the new name Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm, due to Sunny Ridge still operating in the wholesale market. The farm’s café now offers a range of strawberry-related products, from chocolate-coated strawberries and hand made berry jams, to freshly picked fruit and vegetables, allowing visitors to enjoy the true farm-to-table experience.
As Matt proudly says:
“It’s such a joyful experience for families.
They come to this beautiful part of the world, see where their food comes from, pick it, and take it home.”
OUR FARM
Where Freshness and Community Flourish
At Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm, we offer a hands-on experience that goes beyond picking fresh produce—it’s a journey from the fields to your plate. Nestled in the picturesque hinterland of the Mornington Peninsula, our farm is home to over 300,000 strawberry plants strawberry plants alongside seasonal favourites like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Our farm-to-table philosophy guides everything we do, from growing quality produce to serving up delicious treats in our café.
Sustainable Farming Practices
You may notice some of our fields growing grains this year. These fields are being rested to improve soil health, allowing us to care for the land responsibly and ensure we produce the best strawberries year after year. By rotating crops and nurturing the soil, we’re investing in the long-term health of our farm, so our strawberries can continue to grow with their signature sweetness and flavour. This commitment to sustainable farming means our produce is as delicious as it is thoughtfully grown.
The Rocky Creek Café Experience
Our café is more than just great coffee and fresh food; it’s an opportunity to experience the flavours of the farm itself. Many of our menu items, from milkshakes to handmade desserts, are crafted with berries picked fresh from our fields. After exploring our U-Pick areas, unwind in the café and enjoy dishes made with the freshest ingredients sourced right here on the farm. Our farm-to-table experience captures the heart of the countryside, where community, quality, and sustainability are always in season.
U-Pick: A Hands-On Family Adventure
Our U-Pick experience invites visitors of all ages to connect with their food in a fun and memorable way. Whether it’s strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries, everyone can enjoy the thrill of picking fresh fruit straight from the fields. Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm is the perfect destination for families, friends, and anyone wanting to immerse themselves in nature and take home a true taste of the farm.
