Page 45 - Tropic Magazine Issue 34

TROPIC • SPECIAL FEATURE

Tropical farm cafe

The Pocket – your farm in the
tropics – has not only local
fresh produce and great coffee,
but fantastic paddock-to-plate
home-style meals and treats, all
set in a nature lover’s paradise.
Words: Renee Cluff

Long-time farmers the Gallagher family
purchased The Pocket, just south of
El Arish, last year and quickly set about
adding their own flair. It’s become a
favourite among locals passing through,
drawn by the beautiful fresh local fruit
and veggies, fantastic coffee, delicious
toasties (they are renowned for their
Ruben), home-made ice-cream and so
much more.
For visitors it’s a must-do, with the
scenery, working farm and locally-made
artisanal gifts adding to the experience. It's a space where people
There are sassy chooks, resident wild can connect to nature
cockatoos, wallabies, cattle and even
water buffalo. You might also spot a and understand life on
cassowary, kingfisher or frogmouth owl. a farm
“We want to make it a space that’s
enjoyable and educational and people Aaron Gallagher
are walking away saying ‘wow’,” Aaron The Pocket Farmer
Gallagher – one of two Gallagher sons –
told Tropic.
“It is incredibly unique, it’s so lush and “We really want to hand rear a couple
biodiversity-wise it’s incredibly rich in so we can ride and swim with the water cappuccino, brewed chai, dragonfruit
wildlife and in what you can grow.” buffalo,” Aaron said. “If you are around smoothie as well as gourmet toasties,
The Gallaghers are planting a range of early in the morning you will get to see cakes and treats.” You can also pick-up the
tropical and exotic fruits, including the animals have a lick of molasses and a best quality, locally hand-made products
native species. feed of hay.” ranging from jewellery to native
Pumpkin, watermelon, vanilla and Inside is a gastronomic paradise, all timber pieces.
dragonfruit are among the crops already focused on what’s locally produced. Find the family and all their delights at
on site and the family is conducting “We have all the local products ranging 60840 Bruce Hwy, Friday Pocket –
riparian re-planting along the property’s from Silkwood pepper, to chocolate, just after the Mission Beach turn-off if
freshwater creek. vanilla and locally made chutneys, you’re heading south.
Outside is also home to the cows and sauces and jerkys,” Aaron said.
water buffalo, which visitors can “Plus, there’s arguably the best cuppa INSTAGRAM: @thepocketelarish
interact with. on the Bruce Highway, whether it’s a

The brains, heart and soul of the operation is Mum, Tracey, who has a keen eye
for art and fashion and takes pride in making good quality, healthy, tasty food
using the best ingredients. She works alongside Aaron’s brother,
Jack (not pictured), a fellow foodie famed for his flavoured, fruit-based
‘nice-creams’. Aaron and his Dad, Robert, run the farming side of the business.

45 • tropicnow.com.au