Carrot Day in Kalbar: What to Expect
Are you planning a day trip to Queensland’s Scenic Rim for Kalfresh’s Carrot Day in Kalbar?
My youngest is carrot’s biggest fan and when I first learned about Carrot Day, I knew we had to go. I heard they sell out quickly, so I knew I needed to be fast when tickets went on sale.
We have now gone to Carrot Day in Kalbar 2 years in a row and the entire family enjoys this day.
Are you planning on going and wondering what to expect? Keep reading to find out what happens on Carrot Day including parking information, how early to get there, how much time to spend at the event, how much money you should plan on spending, and what to bring (or not bring) with you.
Getting Tickets
If you want to ensure that you get tickets to Carrot Day, be sure to follow Kalfresh Vegetables on social media to find out when they will be released.
Another way to find out about ticket sales is to subscribe to the Eat Out Scenic Rim newsletter.
Generally, they announce the release day just a week or so before tickets go on sale. The tickets go on sale a few weeks before the Carrot Day event.
While tickets do not sell out immediately, times do. The tours take place throughout the morning and early afternoon.
Don’t wait long. Be ready to book any tour time you can get once tickets are released.
Where is Carrot Day?
Carrot Day takes place at Kalfresh Vegetables in Kalbar, Queensland, which is part of the Scenic Rim.
Kalbar is about an hour southwest of Brisbane.
There are 2 locations for Carrot Day, with most people starting at Kalfresh Vegetables, where the carrot factory is. This is where the food stalls are as well as activities for kids.
Carrot picking is done at a location down the road from Kalfresh Vegetables. They provide a map and directions upon check-in.
Kalfresh Vegetables is located at 6206 Cunningham Highway in Kalbar.
Arriving at Kalfresh Vegetable Farm
Free parking is available at both Kalfresh Vegetables and the carrot-picking farm, though there is a bucket for those who wish to make a gold coin donation to the Lions Club.
Someone is available to help guide drivers into parking spots at both locations.
The toilets at the factory are located just before check-in. You can walk in and out of the event as needed.
A table under a canopy is located at the entrance. They have a list of names which will be used to check you in.
You receive a few papers including directions to the farm where you can pick carrots. You also receive wristbands with your tour time on them.
Food and Drinks at Carrot Day
In addition to the sausage sizzle, there are a few carrot-themed food and drink items for purchase.
This year, both standard beef sausages and beef with carrot sausages were available. There was also a choice of bread including carrot bread.
Corn on the cob was also sold at the sausage sizzle stand.
A farm table is set up with fresh vegetables that can be purchased. At the other end of these long tables are carrot-themed baked goods.
Options included carrot cake, carrot-shaped cookies, gluten-free carrot cake, carrot protein balls, and carrot walnut bread. This year, they also had carrot soup which was served with bread.
For those who want to drink their veggies, there is an option to buy a cup of carrot juice or the whole bottle. We tend to get the bottle which is enough to share among the 4 of us. Options include carrot + apple + orange and carrot + ginger + orange, which is the one we always get.
They offer juice samples so you can decide which one you prefer before purchasing it.
A coffee stand is also available with both hot and cold drinks as well as treats.
Kid-Friendly Activities
Kalfresh Carrot Day is family-friendly and they have a few kid-centered activities for those who show up early.
Kids can color in carrot day coloring sheets on a long table or play with tractors in a sandbox. Another option is to climb into giant tractors.
My kids like to climb up the giant hay bales, but they have gotten scratched so I don’t recommend it.
Seating at Carrot Day
There are not many places to sit down at Carrot Day, but you don’t generally stay too long.
A row of seats made of hay is located in the middle of the food stands and activities. We can usually sit down right away, though sometimes there is a wait.
Carrot Factory Tour
Before your tour, put your belongings in the car. You can have items in your pocket but no bags and nothing on your head.
A few minutes before your tour time, they will announce that it is time for you to check-in.
At this point, make your way to the tent. You then have a few minutes before your guide starts the tour.
The beginning of the tour is outside where your guide talks about the vegetables that Kalfresh grows around Queensland. Carrots, onions, and pumpkins are packaged at this location.
Then you enter the carrot factory.
I usually stay in the back on the line so that I can take photos and videos without feeling rushed, but if you want to hear what is being said, try to be one of the first people in line.
While the tour guide does wear a microphone, it is a working factory and it gets loud. The factory is running 6 days a week, 22 hours a day, and it is running during Carrot Day.
In the first few rooms, you can see the carrots being cleaned. After they are cleaned, they are sorted into various sizes and shapes including oddly shaped carrots. Then they are moved into the packaging room.
You aren’t allowed to photograph the packaging room.
Staff members sort through the carrots and they are bagged and brought into the refrigerator for storage.
The tour ends in the refrigerated room which is the last stop for the carrots before heading off to a shop.
Each tour member is offered a bag of Kalfresh carrots to take home. The first year, we only took 2 bags, but this year, we opted for 4 as we will eat them.
Pick Your Own Carrots
After our factory tour, we drove about 5 minutes down the road from the carrot farm for carrot picking.
They recommend that you pick carrots after your tour unless your tour is one of the last tours of the day. In that case, pick your carrots first.
Both years, we have been one of the last groups to arrive at the farm for carrot picking and it looks like the field is fully picked over, but that is not the case. There are plenty of carrots available.
Check-in at the desk and they will provide you with as many bags as you would like. They do advise that you do not pick more carrots than you can eat.
We opt for 2 bags, one for each kid.
Staff is available to help dig up carrots with a shovel. They loosen the dirt to make it easier for you.
Sometimes there are shovels that you can use as well.
A few port-a-potties are located by the farm as is a hand washing station. There aren’t seats or shade.
The carrot picking farm has a contest multiple times throughout the day where you can turn in the wonkiest carrot and enter your name to win a prize.
They don’t pick the wonkiest carrot to win, they pick a name. Winners receive water bottles, lunch boxes, and other Kalfresh Veggie branded items.
Carrot Day T-Shirts
We were disappointed that we could not purchase the cute carrot-themed shirts that the staff wore during our first visit to Carrot Day, but as of 2024, they are available for sale!
You must pre-purchase your shirt. Shirts can be bought at the same time you purchase your tickets. Then, you pick them up when you check-in.
When is Carrot Day?
Carrot Day at Kalfresh Vegetables in Kalbar is held in June during Eat Local Scenic Rim Month.
How Long Should We Spend at Carrot Day?
We opt to arrive at the carrot factory about an hour before our tour. This is enough time to eat lunch and let the kids play before our tour begins.
This gives us enough time to use the toilets and put our belongings in the car before the tour without feeling rushed.
Carrot picking takes us about 30 minutes, though the kids like to stay for 2 rounds of the wonkiest carrot contest if possible.
If you prefer, there are places in Kalbar to eat on Carrot Day. You can find some options further down.
Are There Toilets at Carrot Day?
Yes, there are toilets at both Carrot Day locations.
I recommend the toilets at the factory over the farm, as they are a permanent fixture.
What Kind of Food Can I Buy at Carrot Day?
- sausage sizzle
- corn on the cob
- fresh veggies to take home
- carrot bread
- carrot cake
- carrot soup
- carrot-themed treats
- gluten-free carrot-themed treats
- carrot juice
- coffee
Carrot Day Wrap-Up
If you have kids, or to be honest, even if you don’t, carrot day is worth a visit.
Make sure to sign up for the Kalfresh Veggies newsletter or follow them on social media so you are ready when tickets go on sale. Tickets sell out usually within a day.
We prefer to be at Carrot Day around lunchtime so we can eat the delicious goodies, but if you prefer to eat elsewhere, there are a few good options in Kalbar.
Most of the food seems to be plentiful, but I did see the soup sell out. Luckily, it was after I had purchased a cup.
Wear comfy clothes and closed-toed shoes. You need closed-toed shoes on the factory tour and when on the farm.
Where to Eat in Kalbar on Carrot Day
While you can eat at the Carrot Day event, there are also restaurants in Kalbar you can check out. Kalbar is a small town, and the restaurants are located near each other.
Here are some options for restaurants that will be open during lunchtime.
Things to Do Nearby
We usually drive out to Kalbar just for their events, but if you are looking for something else to do when you are out that way, here are some fun options.
- Summerland Camel Farm
- Elderflower Farm
- Scenic Rim Farmbox
- The Emporium
- Naughty Little Kids Goat Farm
- Scenic Rim Farm Shop
If you are driving to Kalbar from Brisbane, you will drive through Ipswich which has even more things to do. We usually just stop at Costco, but if you are looking for some family-friendly things to do, here are some ideas.
- Ipswich Children’s Library
- The Workshop Rail Museum
- Ipswich Nature Centre
- Children’s Art Centre at Ipswich Art Gallery
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