A Perfect Day in Canberra with Fred & Zoe of Majura Valley Farm

Updated 20 Feb 2026

Meet Fred and Zoe: The passionate farmers behind Canberra’s iconic Autumn Sunflower Maze

Fred and Zoe are the hearts and hands behind Majura Valley Farm, one of the oldest operational farms in the Canberra Region, and home of the Sunflower Maze that dazzles locals and visitors alike each autumn.

If you ask us what makes a perfect day in Canberra, we’ll say it starts on two wheels. Pushbikes are the obvious choice: easy, breezy, and perfectly suited to a city built for gentle adventures.

Our perfect morning begins at Dairy Road, where a pastry from Under Bakery pairs beautifully with a coffee from Barrio Collective. Fuelled and awake, we’ll roll through the tranquillity of the Jerrabomberra Wetlands, letting the quiet reset the pace of the day. From there, the loop takes us past the lake, the galleries, the Sculpture Garden, and finally to the Kingston Hotel, where the bikes are parked and a wellearned schooner marks the calm of late morning. Small bike rides, big skies, good venues, no fuss. Canberra at its best.

If it's a Saturday, the next stop is nearly always the Capital Region Farmers Market, the real deal. Actual growers, genuine stories, great value. Friends who visit get the full experience: market browsing followed by a few hands-on jobs back at the farm. Only after that do our guests earn an afternoon at Bar Rochford.

On the topic of food, we have a rotation of favourites. For something special, we love the drive out to Grazing in Gundaroo. Restaurants like Onzieme consistently celebrate local, seasonal produce, and we’re excited to see what Fiona Buining is creating at Stepping Stone Café in Dickson. If it weren’t obvious, we’re firmly of the belief that the region punches above its weight. If you’re looking to find our produce, the farm gate shop in Majura is the best place to start. Eggs, seasonal vegetables, flowers, lamb—straight from the paddock. Our produce also appears on menus across town wherever chefs value provenance and flavour.

Autumn is our favourite season. Not only is it the season where our sunflower maze comes to life, but it’s the combination of perfect weather, trees turning brilliant shades of yellow and red, events popping up everywhere, and locals soaking up the last soft warmth before winter arrives.

When we’re not working our own land, we like to stay close to nature. Mount Majura Nature Reserve sits right on our doorstep, an unbeatable backyard. We love visiting the Australian National Botanic Gardens too, and often explore neighbouring farms; seeing how others grow and adapt keeps our curiosity alive. To unwind, we head to the classic Bridge to Bridge walk around Lake Burley Griffin with our dogs. It never disappoints, whether it’s sunrise with fog on the water, a glassy midday stillness, or a bold sunset closing the day.

For those wanting to experience Canberra through our eyes, we recommend three essential stops: Mount Ainslie for the view, the National Gallery of Australia for culture, and Majura Valley for food and farming—plus a bottle from Mount Majura Vineyard while you’re there.

What we love most about working the land in Canberra is its history and heritage. Although Canberra is a relatively young city (officially founded in 1913), the landscape carries a much deeper story, shaped by generations of custodians long before it became the nation’s capital. Today, a supportive and connected community continues that legacy. Visitors are often surprised by how collaborative the local community is. Coffee bags from nearby cafés become weed mats in our flower patches. Chefs know their growers by name. Scratch the surface, and you’ll find a network of people sharing, swapping, and supporting each other. It’s connected, uncomplicated, and, like the best days in Canberra, easy. Easy like Sunday morning.