At the end of a winding, well-trodden path in the southern Tablelands, nestled amidst lush greenery, lies Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy. Here, brothers Dan and Rob Watson have revolutionised their family farm to incorporate biodynamic milk processing and value-adding, along with establishing a farmhouse cheesery. As trailblazers of biodynamic dairy farming in the tropics, they take pride in supplying the region with healthy, nutritious food.
Visitors can relish these offerings at the Farmhouse Cafe, which boasts serene views of pastures surrounded on three sides by World Heritage Rainforest.
“We chose to farm biodynamically because we care deeply about the food that we eat and the effect it has on your health and wellbeing,” explains Michelle Bell-Turner, public relations manager for Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy, before heading off on a tour of the Farmhouse Cafe, once the Watson family home.
Aside from the addition of a veranda and kitchen downstairs, the cafe is the same as when the brothers played in its hallways. Walking through the farmhouse, Michelle points out the sibling’s old bedroom, now converted into a cosy seating area. Much of the original home, such as the spotted gum floors, remains, providing a direct connection to the history of the property while enhancing the ‘family farm’ experience.
Outside, on the veranda, Michelle points to a spot near Mount Bartle Frere, Queensland's highest mountain, known as Broken Nose. It's just a short drive away and the source of the vanilla used in their phenomenal ice cream. Everything served at the café is made on-site, allowing visitors to relax on the veranda while savoring delicious treats like the ploughman’s lunch, grazing boards, and famous dessert platters. Guests can also take home cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, all crafted from the farm’s own biodynamic milk and enhanced with locally sourced ingredients.
Not only a showcase of delicious treats, the cafe is like a storybook of the region, bringing to life the local stories behind the artisan foods and crafts you can take away to enjoy at your leisure.
Just 10 minutes from the famous Millaa Millaa Falls, Mungalli is a worthy inclusion on any Tablelands itinerary - or a destination all of its own. Mungalli’s 18 flavours of ice cream are also available from ‘The Dairy – Ice-creamery & Milkbar’, conveniently located a stones throw from the iconic Cairns Lagoon.
“It's about connecting people to the farm even if they’re not able to get here,” says Michelle on the concept of The Dairy.
Jay Sainsbury, manager of The Dairy, made his way to Mungalli after a series of serendipitous experiences in Europe, such as working at a famous London ice creamery. He has also had the privilege of working on the Tablelands farm. “It actually gave me even more backstory into why I’m trying to do this,” he says.
Jay explains how unique it is for an ice cream shop to have a direct link to a local farm, making The Dairy Ice-Creamery like a ‘cellar door’ to the farm.
What is biodynamic farming?
Mungalli operates as a biodynamic farm; a holistic and ethical approach to farming where the land and animals are nurtured to support vitality and health. Farming techniques are aligned with the patterns of nature to achieve greater results and greater health by eliminating the use of any harmful additives to the soil. This, in turn, promotes biodiversity and fertility.
This outstanding farm is one of two biodynamic on-farm dairy processors in Australia, and the only family-owned one. Michelle explains, “Biodynamics is all about life. Bio is life and dynamic is vitality. So, it’s about vitality. Biodynamics is about bringing that vitality of life into the soil and the product of the food, for the person that’s going to eat it.”
Their Swiss Brown, Aussie Red, and Jersey cows are very well looked after and get to graze on organic mountain pastures that have beautiful herbage; a big contributor to the health of the milk they produce. “It’s all about happy cows, a healthy earth and producing real food that’s minimally processed for the customer,” Michelle adds.
It is no secret that Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy has a deep passion for providing ethically farmed and healthy products for the region. As for their future, they hope to continue to expand their ice cream production while supporting local businesses and farmers.
