The Best Places to See Canola Fields in Victoria
Canola is an oilseed crop which is a variant of the ancient crop rapeseed. It was created through plant crossbreeding by scientists in Canada who developed an edible version of the rapeseed plant, which has toxic compounds erucic acid and glucosinolates. The name "canola" comes from "Canada" and "ola" denoting oil.
Canola has a strong cabbage smell which reflects its membership of the Brassicaceae family, which includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish and turnip.
Canola is grown for its seed, which is crushed for the oil. The oil is used for industrial purposes like biodiesel and food uses including margarine, cooking oils and salad oils. It is one of the "healthier" oils with mono and polyunsaturated fats in place of saturated fats. The by-product, after the oil is extracted, is a protein-rich meal used by the intensive livestock industries.
When is the best time to see canola in flower?
There is usually a window from mid-August to mid-September when canola crops are in full bloom with bright yellow flowers. Flowering is usually finished by mid-October. This period varies by region and depends on environmental factors such as the weather.
The exact location for canola crops varies each year because farmers rotate the crops grown in each paddock to regenerate the soil.
Places to Walk Through Canola Fields
Shiraz Republic in Cornella, Central Victoria, offers a Canola Walk where you can immerse yourself in a field of brilliant yellow 360 degrees of colour. Entry is $10 per adult and $5 for children. Children under 5 are free. A family pass is $30. Availability of the walk is both seasonal and weather dependent. The the walk is open August 16th until October 4th, but is subject to change.
Places to View Canola Fields
Northern Victoria
- In the Nagambie area check out the fields along O'Dwyers Road, Vickers Road and Nook Road.
- Dookie area including near Tallis Wine
- Along the Goulburn Valley Highway to Shepparton
- Shepparton area
- North of Benalla
- Around Elmore
- Between Cobram and Yarrawonga along the Murray River
- Shiraz Republic in Cornella has a a large canola field adjoining the winery/brewery which offers a Canola Walk.
Top Family activities in the Greater Shepparton area (Shepparton, Dookie)
Top Family activities in the Campaspe area (Cornella)
Top Family activities in the Strathbogie area (Nagambie)
Top Family activities in the Moira area (Cobram, Yarrawonga)
Top Family activities in the Bendigo area (Elmore)
North West of Melbourne
- Along the Western Highway all the way to the Grampians
- Ballarat area (typically west of town)
- One of the largest canola fields is near Lexton
- Werona (north-west of Daylesford)
- South-east of Carisbrook along the Pyrenees Highway
- Between Beaufort and Waubra along Black Bottom Road
- 3-4km south of Avoca on Sunraysia Highway
- 12km south-east of of Moonambel on Sunraysia Highway
- At the back of Melbourne Airport and other places on the road to Sunbury
Top Family activities in the Ararat area (Ararat)
Top Family activities in the Pyrenees area (Lexton, Beaufort)
Top Family activities in the Ballarat area (Ballarat)
Top Family activities in the Northern Grampians area (Moyston)
Top Family activities in the Hepburn area (Werona)
Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula
- Along the Princes Highway from Melbourne to Geelong
- Around Little River, Avalon and Balliang
- Around Point Wilson (Coming from Melbourne take the Pt Wilson exit and go left)
- Around the Bellarine Peninsula (Curlewis - Coryule Road, Ocean Grove - Grubb Road, Portarlington - Portarlington Road, Drysdale - Anderson Road and Banks Road, Leopold - Portarlington Road)
- Geelong side of the You Yangs
- Along Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road
- Around Ceres, Barrabool, Anakie, Steiglitz, Maude and Meredith
- Rokewood area
Top Family activities in the Golden Plains area (Rokewood, Ceres, Barrabool, Anakie, Steiglitz, Maude, Meredith)
Places to View Canola Fields by Balloon
Soar high above the vibrant yellow canola fields in a hot air balloon and immerse yourself in a sea of colour with Goldrush Ballooning based in Benalla. Flights run from late August until the end of September. Prices are $385 for adults and $365 for a child (7 to 12 years old).
Important Note The canola crops are the livelihood of the farmer and please respect private property and do not trespass into the fields due to biosecurity risks and potential damage to the crops. No shot or amount of attention on social media is worth trampling over some innocent farmer's livelihood.
The crops are generally alongside the road, so you can take great photos without entering the field.
