Visitor information

Front entrance artwork

Edendale is a Community Environment Farm set on seven acres of land next to the Diamond Creek in Eltham.

With a focus on connecting with nature and lifelong environmental learning, a visit to Edendale is a great day out for the whole family.

Visit us to learn about sustainable living, enjoy the natural environment, buy some indigenous plants, meet our farm animals and feed the chooks! 

The Farm & Indigenous Nursery are open for visitors 10 am to 4.30 pm daily.

  • Cafe Eden is open 10am to 2.30pm weekdays, 10am to 3pm on weekends (20% surcharge applies on public holidays)
  • The Shop is open 10am to 4.30pm weekdays only and is currently closed on weekends.
  • Edendale may close when conditions are unsafe for the public or staff (e.g. Extreme and Catastrophic fire danger days) or when we cannot adequately staff the facility.
  • Edendale Farm, The Shop and the Indigenous Nursery accept EFTPOS only no Cash. (Cafe Eden accepts both card and cash payments)

Restrictions

We have some restrictions in place to protect the welfare of our animals, the environment and the safety and enjoyment other visitors.

  • No dogs (we love them, but our animals don't!)
  • No balloons due to environmental considerations
  • No excessive alcohol or loud music 
  • Bike riders are asked to dismount on entry (bike parking stations are available on site)
  • As Edendale is an environmental education facility we ask you to plan a minimal waste visit and take any waste home

    Getting to Edendale and parking

    Front gate - walk in - Gastons Rd

    Park in the front carpark on Gastons Rd and walk up the pedestrian access driveway to begin your visit.

    Main carpark - on site - Gastons Rd

    • Two disabled parking spaces
    • 29 spaces
    • No coach or large bus access past main entrance gate

    Additional parking - Eltham North Adventure Playground

    Entry off Wattletree Road opposite Eltham North Primary School. Large carpark area. From the playground, walk to Edendale following the signs on the walking trail which leads across the Diamond Creek, follow the path to our North Entrance gate. This is a  a short 2 minute walk.

    Ride or walk

    Bike ride or walk along the Diamond Creek Trail that links Diamond Creek to the main Yarra Trail.

    Bus

    Disembark at Gastons Road or Wattletree and Main Road intersection from one of the following PTV bus services:

    • 578 Eltham to Warrandyte via Kangaroo Ground
    • 579 Eltham to Warrandyte via Research – Warrandyte Road
    • 582 Eltham Town Service via Woodridge Estate
    • 580 Diamond Creek to Eltham Station

    Train

    Get the train to Eltham station, then bike ride or walk along the path to Edendale Community Environment Farm (30 minute walk).

    Entry Fees

    Entry to Edendale is Free

    Donations are welcomed and go towards the care of the animals.  $3 EFTPOS donation points are located at the main entrances and $2 EFTPOS donation points are located with the chook food.  Larger donations can be made at The Shop / Reception

    Edendale is cash free and only accepts card payments for workshop fees, donations, nursery and shop purchases.

    EFTPOS donation touchpoints are located around the farm for payment with credit and debit cards, phones and smart watches.  Make a donation by tapping your card or device on the touchpoint.

     

    Group visits

    • Suggested small group donation of $10. Receipt can be issued.
    • Larger groups are welcome but prior notice of visit is appreciated.
    • Bookings for designated spaces or tours by arrangement - please contact us.

    Refreshments

    Cafe Eden

    • Light lunches, coffee and snacks can be purchase from Cafe Eden, the alfresco café onsite.
    • Cafe Eden accepts both cash and card payments.

    Bring a picnic

    • There is plenty of lawn space to throw out a picnic rug or use one of our undercover shelters with bench seating and trestle tables.
    • Drinking taps and a water bottle refill station are available - part of the 'Be Smart Use Tap' Melbourne Water initiative.

    Please note: access to undercover areas can be limited, as our shelters are often booked for birthday parties (weekends) and school visits (weekdays).

    Accessibility

    At seven hectares in size, Edendale is accessible for visitors with additional mobility needs.

    Attractions are centralised on the site as much as possible, allowing access to our animals for all visitors. However animal display areas change in accordance with the needs of the animals and the land use. 

    • Our main carpark has designated accessible parking with a turn around area for mini buses (no coaches or large buses)
    • Access to animal areas, outdoor shelters and the indigenous nursery is via gravel paths, some moderately sloping
    • Accessible toilets are available near Reception and at the north entry, near the indigenous nursery

    • For visitors with special needs a Social Story for visiting the farm can be found at the bottom of our Visitor Information page.

    Toilets

    Behind Reception/Mummery Room buildings

    • Male, female and accessible facilities
    • Nappy changing station

    North entry near indigenous nursery

    • Male, female and accessible facilities

    Make your visit waste-free

    Whether visiting Edendale for a casual day visit, a larger get together or a child's party, we ask that you consider the environment.

    Party decorations and napkins can sometimes blow away and end up in our paddocks and dams. For this reason paper items are preferred. In addition we ask that you please use reusable or recyclable plates cups and other items wherever possible.

    Great things to use whenever you visit Edendale are:

    • Reusable or recyclable picnic ware for serving, crockery and cutlery
    • Cotton material tablecloths or reusable plastic cloths
    • Cotton or paper bunting for decorations (please see below about our strict No Balloon policy)
    • Paper party favour bags or gift bags
    • A cardboard box or two to take any waste home to sort into your appropriate bins at home
    • When using our onsite bins near Cafe Eden please take careful note of items that go in each bin and sort your waste accordingly.

    Please note: we have a strict No Balloon policy. Broken and lost balloons may end up in our paddocks or the environment where they are a hazard to our animals, creatures in the wild and ultimately our waterways and oceans. Visit the Zoos Victoria website to learn about the impact of balloons on seabirds and alternative ideas to inspire you. We will ask that balloons (including foil balloons) be removed from the farm to be disposed of offsite. 

    Be smart, choose tap

    More than 50% of plastic bottles end up as landfill or litter and it can take up to three litres of water to produce one litre of bottled water. To help reduce waste, Edendale has installed a water station for filling reusable drinking bottles with tap water.

    The aquaBUBBLER and the ‘Choose a Tap’ campaign is a Yarra Valley Water initiative that encourages the community to use reusable water bottles and drink the excellent quality water that comes from a tap.

    For visitors to Edendale, this water station provides access to tap water to fill your own water bottles.

    The aquaBUBBLER is located on the junction of the central and northern pedestrian pathway. It is clearly visible with its bright blue colour and signage.

    Be Smart Choose Tap logo