Freeman’s Organic Farm

Freeman’s Organic Farm is a 150 acre property set in the Gold Coast hinterland. Now owned by the fifth generation of Freeman to run this property, the farm is now run by David Freeman, for whom it is something of a healing place. 

Freeman's Organic Farm

A Short History Of Freeman's Organic Farm

David Freeman is an enthusiastic speaker on the history of his farm and told us many great stories while we were there. The property was once the largest producer of bananas in Australia, for instance. His great-great grandfather would run a team of bullocks down to the docks at Currumbin every week with several tonnes of bananas. You can see Currumbin from the farm but it must have been a precipitous journey back in the day.  

The farm has been handed down through the generations since then and is now a pleasant morning drive away from the Gold Coast. It has been worked by the Freeman family since 1915, with generations of Freeman’s contributing to the property. Even at times being convinced to abandon dentistry in Sydney for the farm life. (And subsequently suffer a stroke from the hard work. But then also go on to another 20 years of yakka on the farm.)

David is not only the fifth-generation farmer at Freeman’s Farm, he is also the fifth-generation to serve as an officer in the Australian Defence Force. His experiences in East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan (twice, and with Special Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan) left a mark on him that the farm helps ease. Working with the soil, and working an organic farm, connects him with nature, his heritage, and  allows him time to heal. It’s hard work though, and I’m sure I wouldn’t be up for it, but as David says, any day you’re not being shot at is a good day. 

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Getting To Freeman's Organic Farm

A word of advice, don’t go on the first day of Christmas holidays when the M1 is still under construction. Any other time…no worries. It’ll make for a lovely morning out. Just head out through Currumbin Valley Road, turn up Tomewin Mountain Road and look for Freeman’s on the right. If you live in the southern end of the Gold Coast it’s barely a 20-minute drive. For us here on the central/norther areas it’s usually a 40 minute drive. 

What we suggest is, you make a day of it. After Freeman’s, head over the top of Tomewin into the Tweed Valley. If you’re clever you’ll stop at Husk Distillery on the way through. It’s technically a farm shop. They grown their own sugar cane, process it and distil it on the property at Tumbulgum. We haven’t listed them because they don’t really fit in besides the small and micro-sized businesses that are roadside stalls. But they may appear one day if we have a change of heart. 

After you’ve fortified yourself at Husk head into Murwillumbah to grab some melons at the melon stall. Then drive up round mountain to get some bananas from the Banana Shack. You’ll have to turn back now because the road is currently blocked up ahead. There was a major washout in the floods and the road is currently severed in the middle. 

On your way home you can choose from a variety of roadside stalls in the Cudgen area. From flowers to chocolate coated bananas, this area has everything you could want. You won’t need to go shopping this week after you’ve been through the stalls of Cudgen. 

If I'd taken a better photo you'd see Currumbin beach in the distance. You sort of can. It's in the top right corner.

Produce Available At Freeman's Organic Farm

Some of the produce at Freeman’s is seasonal. There are some things, like bananas and avocadoes, that are available all year round. Check their website or socials to see what is available. 

They have a unique local climate and fantastic volcanic soil, meaning they grow things I wouldn’t expect them to. We’re only a stone’s throw away from the farm but without their elevation and soil we can’t grow some of their produce. Stone fruit for instance. David also takes advantage of the hills, which provide full sun down one side and cooling winds down the other. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll get peach blossoms, which are available a few short days of the year. You’ll also get onions, broccoli, silverbeet and tomatoes. There is a pick-you-own herb garden and David gave us some pelargonium citronella and holy basil to propagate at home. (They had woody stems, meaning we can put them in water and they should shoot.)

There are some plants for sale and Michael B Raw Honey

Michael B Raw Honey is available at Freeman's Organic Farm

You should take advantage of the pick-your-own section. We had most of this growing in our garden back home but (as we said earlier) we did take some shoots to propagate for own garden. David was keen for us to get some with woody bits on them so they would shoot, which shows you the type of person he is. He was keen to share, whether it was his own story, his history, or his farm. 

pick your own at Freeman's Organic Farm

The Cafe at Freeman's Organic Farm

I’ll be honest and tell you that the cafe isn’t the most sophisticated I’ve ever been to. That’s part of the charm though. You can get a tea or a coffee, with a free biscuit, or you can choose to buy one of them fancy Byron Bay biscuits. We were fully caffeinated for the day and it was quite warm so opted for a coconut water. We then wandered down to admire the view. You don’t get a view like this in my local cafe.

If you haven’t been to Freeman’s then pack the car and head out. Check his website to make sure he’s open first. Then make a day of it by heading over the top of Tomewin into the Tweed Valley. It’s a perfect weekend drive, you’ll get some veges, learn about Freeman’s Organic Farm, and relax with a cuppa at Freeman’s Lookout. 

 

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James Pollock