Situated in Bedfordview, Gillooly’s Farm provides a quiet escape from the big city rush. Picnic and braai facilities are available on 44 hectares of land. Here you can enjoy walking trails for you and the dogs and recreational areas for children.
A place for Twitchers
If you love bird watching, Gillooly has an array of bird species in the area. Spend your time with the binoculars watching the likes of the White-breasted cormorant, the Reed cormorant, to the African Darter, also known as the snakebird, Egrets, house sparrow, yellow-billed duck, and Cape wagtail, an Egyptian goose and the Grey heron to name a few.
Apart from the aves, the farm also has a large man-made lake, which is home to a number of fish species like the Common carp (or Eurasian carp), Blue kurper (or Mozambique tilapia) and Sharptooth catfish (Barbel). However, these fish are only to look at, no fishing is permitted.
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Fun for the family, including doggos
Perhaps you want to keep things in the family and take your fur-babies for a walk. Gillooly’s Farm is a big winner when it comes to walking dogs. The ample space and walking route offers new scenery from the usual dog parks in the city.
For parents with human babes, there are recreational areas on the farm, which will be great for little ones. Parents can enjoy delicious food and refreshments at the restaurant.
Travel guide Nokwanda Poppy says Gilloy’s farm is “the most beautiful place I have ever seen in a while, so peaceful, chilled, safe and amazing. There is an option of a picnic, swings, sitting next to the lake, hiking…I’m definitely going to go there again before the end of this year.”
Another positive local guide, Siobhan McKane, rates the farm highly. “For a public park, it is very well taken care of and safe. I felt safe parking my car and walking around the lake. Beautiful views of the water and grounds. Almost like being far from the city, but it’s actually closer than you’d expect.”
The braai area can be utilised by families and friends, and is the perfect way to pass long summer afternoons with special folk. Pack a picnic and laze around the water, or under a shady spot, reading books, and snacking on homemade treats.
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The deets
Gillooly’s Farm is open every day from 07:00 to 19:00, no booking required and entrance is free.
Keen to try the place out? Punch in 47 Boeing W Rd, Bedfordview, 2007 into your GPS, and off you go. For direct queries you can contact them on 0860 543 000 or 011 453 8066.
Written by Niamh Walsh-Vorster.
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