Mamma’s little heart is very happy - there is a BRAND NEW u-pick in the Yarra Valley and the heroes are SUNFLOWERS!

Girasole (Italian for sunflower) Yarra Valley will officially open for picking this weekend, February 8 and 9. Grab your kids, find the secateurs and pack your phone or your camera, for a wonderful little family experience.

There are literally hundreds of stems of these GIANT flowers at the farm and you are welcome to wander the rows, throw down a rug for a picnic and cut your own stems, which you pay for at the exit. It is a pretty mesmerising experience and amazing to watch the bees (and yes there are plenty here) buzz through the blooms.

The fields are likely to be open for the next three weekends so don’t delay a visit, book your entry passes online and head to the fields for a bit of fun.

Some helpful tips - if you don’t have secateurs in the shed, you can hire a pair. Wear closed toe shoes that are okay to wear through the rich red soil. Bring a hat and plenty of sunscreen. The flowers are growing so well here because the sun is so good, which means it can be H.O.T! Parking onsite is great. Follow the signs at the entry to drive onto the back paddock.