Planning your visit

How to get to Nutwood Farm 

You can find us at 22 Danes Way, Mount Irvine NSW 2786 (Google Maps)

Mount Irvine is fairly remote and can only be accessed via the Mount Wilson – Mount Irvine Road (off Bells Line of Road B59). It’s a narrow road, so please drive safely and take it slow!

The closest shops and petrol stations are at Mt Victoria and Bilpin. So, make sure you arrive at Nutwood Farm with at least half a tank of petrol or a well-charged battery.

Note: Bowens Creek Road is permanently closed.

 
Close-up of a chestnut tree branch with green, spiny burrs and ripe brown chestnuts, surrounded by green leaves.

What do I need to bring? 

Bring tongs and gloves to protect your hands from chestnut burr prickles. 

Tip: Tongs with a longer handle means less bending to pick up nuts under the trees.

We supply buckets for collecting the nuts and netted bags to take your nuts home in, but bring an eco-friendly bag if you can!  

Tip: Breathable bags made of cotton or linen are best for storage.

Also, bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and wear suitable clothing (see below).

What type of clothes and shoes should I wear? 

We recommend you wear long pants or skirts and a long-sleeved top to protect you from the sun and cold weather and wear a cap or wide-brimmed hat.

You’ll be walking over grassy paddocks, so wear a good pair of walking shoes. In general, closed shoes or boots made from a tough material, like leather or canvas, are best. Chestnuts have sharp burrs and prickles that can pierce more flimsy footwear. 

If it looks like rain, bring weatherproof footwear, a raincoat and an umbrella. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable!

Person wearing black rubber boots standing on grass, with a yellow chestnut shell open and chestnut visible inside.
Close-up of a partially opened chestnut shell exhibiting glossy, brown chestnut nut with water droplets on it.

What to expect when you get here

Car parking is available. Unfortunately we can’t accommodate buses. 

The nut orchard is about 200 metres from the car park. It is a relatively flat walk across grass, but is uneven in places so may be challenging if you have impaired mobility.

There are two public toilets just near the car park, and a picnic area.

Safety tips

Nutwood Farm can get busy during the picking season, so follow these guidelines to stay safe:

  • The car park can be busy, so make sure you are aware of cars, keep an eye on your children, and drive under 20km/h on the property. Follow directions from car park supervisors. 

  • Do not, under any circumstances, climb the trees. 

  • Do not throw things at the trees to dislodge nuts. You may injure yourself or another person.

  • Keep an eye on where you’re walking as the ground in the field may be uneven. We share the property with a variety of wildlife, including a couple of wombats who are fond of digging large holes.

  • Children must be closely supervised, as there are animal drinking troughs on the farm, and puddles of water can form when rain is heavy.

The nearest hospital is a good 60 minute drive away. So, please respect our farm rules—for your own safety and that of other guests.

A park with green grass and numerous chestnut trees, some with overhanging branches. A few people are visible in the distance, walking or standing among the trees. The sky is partly cloudy with patches of blue visible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome. They must be kept on a leash at all times. Please pick up after your dog and take any deposits with you when you leave. The nuts may not be safe for dogs so don’t let your dogs eat them.

  • You are welcome to picnic in the small picnic area next to the parking area. BYO picnic rug. We don’t allow picnics in the actual orchard.

    Please make sure you take your rubbish with you, as we do not have public rubbish bins. We ask that you do not dispose of your rubbish at Mt Wilson, as the bins cannot cope with the overflow during the busy autumn months. 

    Please respect our local environment and do not litter or leave rubbish along roads, or next to over-stuffed bins on the ground. 

  • The area surrounding Mt Irvine and Mt Wilson is famous for its autumnal colours, gardens, lookouts and parks.

    When you’re driving up, you’ll pass places like: 

    Be sure to check out the orchards along Bells Line of Road, particularly in Bilpin (famous for fresh apples), on your way up to the farm. The Harvest Trails and Markets website is a good resource.

  • Chestnuts ripen and fall from the trees around early/mid-March to mid/late-April.

    This seasonality means Nutwood Farm is usually only open to pick your own nuts for five to six weekends of the year.

    Be sure to check our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates on availability, and sign up for email alerts.