THE CONCEPT
The Olive Industry in Australia, although in its infancy, is developing at a very rapid rate. We are now seeing Australian grown  products marketed and competing with imports from the traditional growing areas of the world.

Southern colder climate areas of Australia have already produced some of the finest Extra Virgin Olive oils in the world and many hectares have been planted over the past few years.

At Olive Hill Estate, we are developing a concept to further develop the industry in this region. We will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to tour the 3000 tree Olive groves, view the processing of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and taste the large variety of olive products grown and produced on site, in our Olive Style Café/Restaurant. When completed in early 2004, it will be the first  integrated Olive Farm Visitors Centre in Australia.

Sunbury / Bulla area was chosen for this unique venture as it is located in the heart of a well established wine growing area that hosts an ever increasing tourist industry. It will compliment and support the local wine and other primary producing industries at the gateway to the Macedon Ranges.

THE PROPERTY

Olive Hill Estate is located on the Sunbury Bulla Road, 12 km north of Melbourne Airport.

An easy 25 minute drive from the centre of Melbourne along the Tullamarine Freeway, past Melbourne Airport, will find you at the entrance of the Estate, on Shepherds Lane. A further 3 minute drive, after passing the wineries, will place you in the centre of the Sunbury shopping centre.

Located on the southern slopes of Redstone Hill, the 80 acre property has a commanding view of the entire city of Melbourne and the northern environs of Port Phillip Bay. This elevated location is ideal for visitors to enjoy a rural environment with city views, whilst dining in the Olive Style Café/Restaurant, (opening early next year).

The property is undulating and the centre high ridge makes an ideal location for the Visitors Centre and residence to maximise the 270 degree panoramic views, taking in Mt. Macedon to the north, through the city of Melbourne to the South and the distant mountains to the west.

Southerly view of the original olive grove. Melbourne city skyline in the background.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Olive Hill Estate was purchased in August 2000. The property at that time was primarily used for grazing, however, a small 350 tree olive grove had been established at the top of the estate.

Over the next two years an intensive development programme was undertaken to develop the property with access roads, olive groves and the introduction of recycled water irrigation for the property.

Today almost half the Estate is planted with fully irrigated olive groves, a citrus plantation and a small nursery.

A number of oil and table olive varieties are grown on the property, resourced from Italy, Greece, Spain, United States and one Australian variety.  These include Frantoio, Corregiola, Kalamata, Sevillano, UC13 and Hardy’s Mammoth.

Over 2600 olive trees in five separate olive groves have been planted on the Estate. In June 2003, the original 350 olive trees produced their first commercial harvest. Over 600 bottles of some of the finest Extra Virgin Australian Olive Oil was produced from these five year old trees and is now available for sale through our website.

Final preparations and Council Planning Permits have been completed and shortly the  building programme for the integrated olive processing, visitors centre and restaurant will commence. It is anticipated that the completion of the Centre will be in early 2004.

This is the heart of the property, where visitors can take guided tours of the Olive groves; view extra virgin olive oil being produced through an observation window downstairs, before proceeding upstairs to the Olive Branch Café, to taste the culinary delights of dishes prepared with estate grown olive produce.

The processing centre will process table olives as well as different varieties of extra virgin olive oil. Purchases of produce will be available in the gift shop and the entrance hall downstairs.

 Information on olive production and the history of the Olive Industry in Australia will be featured on the walls of the entrance hall for visitor’s interest. Viewing the latest techniques in the washing, pressing, filtering and bottling of Olive Hill Estate extra virgin olive oil products, will be available during the harvest season and on other occasions throughout the year.

The processing centre and the restaurant will be located in the centre of the property, surrounded by olive groves, affording the best elevated view and location for visitor activities.