Irene Dairy Farm

Irene dairy farm is situated in Irene, Centurion, Gauteng and is about 32 minutes away from Sandton, Johannesburg. Here is a complete guide on how to get there, how much it costs and all the activities available for your trip to this dairy farm.

About

Irene dairy farm is a big farm with a large area accommodating stalls, restaurants and chill areas. The farm has been in operation since 1895. There are numerous cows and they have been producing and selling certified raw milk for over 120 years.

Raw milk is healthy and good to drink however this milk must be certified. In order for the milk to be raw, it has to be unpasteurised. Pasteurising milk kills bad bacteria as well as good bacteria.

There is a presence of bees on the farm and bee boxes are placed around the farm in order to help and to avoid killing the bees. As we know bees are a crucial part of our ecosystems and are currently on the endangered list.

How to Get there

Irene Dairy Farm is located about 38 kilometres away from Sandton, Johannesburg. There are various routes that are available to get to the farm. One of the quickest options is via the N1 north where you will continue for approximately 30 kilometres. Thereafter you will take the John Vorster offramp. After two kilometres you will turn left onto Nellmapius Drive.

The route above has no tolls along the drive except for the e-tolls present on the N1. There is one entrance gate to the farm.

Here is a map of the route from Sandton, Johannesburg to the Irene Dairy Farm in Centurion.

Irene Dairy Farm Entrance Fees

There are no entrance fees to enter the Irene dairy farm.

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Things to do at Irene Dairy Farm

Tour of the Irene Farm

When you visit the farm, you are able to do a self-guided tour of the entire farm.

Milking of cows

You are also able to view the cows being milked at the viewing gallery. There is no cost for this and it usually takes place daily in the afternoon at around 15:00 pm.

Bird Spotting Walk

During your visit, you are also able to take a self-guided walk viewing birds on the way. There are around sixty-five different species of birds at the farm.

Pro tip:
Irene Farm does not accept cash. They do however accept all major credit and debit cards.

Stalls

Being that this is a dairy farm, there are various stalls with cows at different stages in the lifespan. These include baby calves, young cows and even a maternity ward where you can witness calves being born.

Tastings

There are numerous tastings which are available at The Barn restaurant. These include milkshake, gin and craft beer tastings. However, these tastings are only available by appointment on weekdays as the farm gets extremely busy during the weekends.

Kiddies Activities

In addition to some of the above, there are quite a few things for kids to do at the farm. There is a wishing well where you can throw money into the well. The money recovered is donated to charities. Also, there is a children’s playground for the kids to play and run around. At the playground, there is a jungle gym and an old tractor for the kids to have fun.

Photography

As the farm is a picturesque venue, many people come to the farm to take photographs which the farm is happy to oblige. However, if the sole purpose of your visit is to take photographs, then you need to make arrangements with the farm offices and you will have to make a donation which will be given to the Smuts House Museum. There are set donation prices in this instance, which can be found on their website.

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Food at Irene Dairy Farm

There are two restaurants and a deli at the farm where you can grab a bite to eat.

The Deck

The Deck is situated next to the deli. It has a bistro vibe to it and the menu offers a wide range of breakfast and lunch options. The restaurant seats approximately 90 people.

They also operate on a first come first serve basis and therefore they do not accept bookings in advance. When you do want to dine at the restaurant, and if it is full, you will need to leave your name and number with the hostess. And upon a table becoming available, you will be contacted telephonically to come back to the restaurant.

The Deck has an a la carte menu with scrumptious meals on offer. From The Deck you are able to take in the amazing views of the farm. The staff at the restaurant are friendly and efficient providing great service.

Our meal at The Deck included a hot chocolate milkshake (R50.00), fiery chicken sliders (R120.00) and salmon cakes (R125.00). The total for our meal for two people including the waiter’s tip was R385.00.

Opening times: 08:00 am – 17:30 pm

The Barn

The Barn restaurant offers both inside dining and seating outside. It therefore ensures that this restaurant is a family den. The Barn is situated next to the playground so that the kids can spend some time at the jungle gym.

It offers seating to approximately 300 people, making it the bigger of the two venues. And it also has an a la carte menu offering both breakfast and lunch options.

This restaurant is situated in one of the original barns which was built on the farm over one hundred years ago. And that is where it gets it namesake.

Opening times: 08:00 am – 17:00 pm

The Deli

Irene Dairy Farm has a shop, The Deli which stocks some of their produce which includes milk and cheese as well as some other daily essentials. In addition, you will find baked goods, beverages and various snack options. The Deli also has an online store and they deliver within a five kilometre radius of the farm vicinity.

The following items are not allowed on the premises;
Own food and drink; dogs; blankets and deck chairs.

Functions

In addition, to all the activities available at the dairy farm, they also offer function and conference venues to people. They host a wide variety of functions including weddings, conferences, parties and other celebrations. There are different options available to best suite your needs.

Recommendation

Irene Farm is a family-friendly day out and gives you a glimpse into a working farm in the city. There are tons of activities for everyone to enjoy. And as it is situated centrally between Pretoria and Johannesburg, it is an ideal location for a fun-filled family outing.

Irene Dairy Farm Contact Details:

WHERE: Nellmapius Rd, Irene, Centurion, 0062

COST: Free to enter

TIMES: 08:00 am to 17:30 (Gates close at 18:00pm)

WEBSITE: https://www.irenefarm.co.za/

If you enjoyed this post, check out the previous post on the Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge, which is situated in Muldersdrift, Gauteng where you will find wildlife, hiking trails, a beautiful dam and amazing food.

Looking for more inspiration, check out the South Africa page which has other posts on things that you can do in this dynamic country.

* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *