BETWEEN its flowers and fleecy friends, the Big Bouquet has everything a family needs for a fun day out.
Located in Barak Lane, Healesville, the Big Bouquet features a wholesale gerbera farm and alpaca stud, with 60,000 flowering gerberas on-site all year round.
Owners Natalie and Sander Kerst, who took over the reins in February, said the farm had a “new lease on life”, with plenty on-ground for people of all ages to enjoy.
“We do guided tours, the glasshouse has got about 60,000 flowering gerberas … there’s gardens, there’s the cafe gift shop, a kid’s playground – it’s a nice family day out,” Mrs Kerst said.
She said the Big Bouquet offered popular group tours and lunch packages for those wanting to explore the grounds and get a behind-the-scenes look at the farm.
“I think it’s the only working cut-flower farm that’s open to the public,” she said.
“It’s very impressive – the scale of it is huge, so it’s something to see.”
Visitors also have the chance to get up close and personal with the alpacas on the farm, with those visiting early next year in for an extra treat – baby alpacas, expected to be born in March.
“It’s always on their terms, but they’re pretty friendly,” Mrs Kerst said.
“They’re currently pregnant, and we’re expecting babies in about March.
“There’s nothing cuter than baby alpacas – they’re gorgeous.”
In the lead-up to Christmas, Mrs Kerst said the Big Bouquet had gift options available, such as garments made from alpaca fleece, as well as flowers and plants to brighten up the homes of loved ones.
The Big Bouquet started up in 1998, shortly after the the 9000 square metre Dutch glasshouse was built for the gerbera farm – now, the glasshouse stands at about 12,000 square metres.
For more information about the Big Bouquet and its alpaca stud, call 5962 2283, email info@bigbouquet.com.au or visit the grounds on Barak Lane in Healesville.
