Things To Do In Officer & Surrounds

Officer is much more than a great place to build a new home. With so much to do in the suburb itself and very close by, it’s also a great place to build a life.

From pottery painting and award-winning wine, to adventure activities indoor and out, there’s something for everyone in Officer and the nearby area. Here’s our guide to the many stops you could make during a day out in this exciting area of Melbourne’s south east.

Explore a world of feathers, fur and fun

Part bush adventure, part animal sanctuary, part theme park, Gumbuya World is a land of fun just a few suburbs over from Officer. There are 52 species of animals to meet along the Wildlife Trail and heaps of rides to enjoy, from water slides (in the warmer months) to tree swings. It’s open everyday from 11am to 4pm.

gumbuya.com.au  | 2705 Princes Hwy, Tynong North  | 15 minutes by car

Visit the cellar door on your doorstep

As well as being a great place to live, Officer is an excellent spot to grow grapes. Specifically pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, shiraz and viognier. In 1999 Benny D’Angelo and his family bought 10 acres of land in Officer and planted vines throughout. The family still owns the vineyard, and the attached restaurant, two decades on. The cellar door is open from Friday to Sunday. Check the website for times and bookings.

dangelowines.com.au | 41 Bayview Rd, Officer | 7 minutes by car

Visit the quarry that became a botanical garden

“Let’s go down to the old quarry” sounds like something from a kids’ adventure movie, but that’s exactly what you’ll be doing when you visit Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick. Between 1859 and 1978 what is now a beautiful 39-hectares of lakeside greenery was a basalt extraction site. Today you’ll find a playground, amphitheatre, many picnic spots, walking tracks and not one but two rock seams featuring fossils up to 20 million years old.

casey.vic.gov.au | 668 Princes Hwy, Berwick | 15 minutes by car

Stay indoors and get climbing

If you (and your kids) love a physical test, Clip ‘n Climb in Berwick offers every indoor climbing wall, game and challenge you could possibly imagine – from kids’ starter climbs to hair-raising trials of daring. It’s all super safe, but sure to get your heart pumping.

clipnclimbberwick.com.au | 39-51 Intrepid St, Berwick | 12 minutes by car

Potter around at the Robert Gordon factory

One of the most famous names in Australian pottery is Robert Gordon, and the company’s factory is just minutes from Officer, in Pakenham. While you browse the beautiful ceramics, your youngsters can paint their own mug, plate or piggy bank in the Kids’ Workshop (during school holidays). The Paint Your Own studio is also a great gift idea for kids and kids at heart.

robertgordonaustralia.com | 114 Mulcahy Road, Pakenham | 7 minutes by car

Farmers market @ the Old Cheese Factory

If you like the sound of farm fresh produce then you have to visit the Farmers’ Market at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick. It’s on every second Saturday and fourth Sunday of the month and is approved by the Victorian Farmers’ Markets Association. It’s a great place to meet friends and shop, but even if you’re not buying, the Old Cheese Factory itself, which was built in the 1860s, is a beautiful historical site to explore.

farmersmarketattheoldcheesefactory.org.au | 34 Homestead Road, Berwick | 15 minutes by car