Those fresh berry bulbs you scattered on your morning bowl of cereal, the lettuce on your sanga at lunch and the veggies you threw into the wok in the evening have all done the hard yards to make their way from the fields to you. Their growth guides – our beloved farmers – have dedicated long hours, a fair amount of elbow grease and their great big hearts to the cause.

Most of us living in the city may not often get the opportunity to dig our toes into the dirt and breathe in the fresh country air, so this weekend we’re committing the time to heading west and visiting the farms responsible for our daily nourishment.

Located just over an from Brisbane, the Lockyer Valley region offers a wealth of sprawling farmland, fresh produce markets and paddock-to-plate dining venues. Take the drive inland from the city, sticking to the highway and passing through the historic Redlands region until you hit the Laidley Valley Tourist Drive. Weave your wheels through the hills and valleys, casting a grateful eye and perhaps a camera lens over the fertile farming land.

Take a sharp turn off the Warrego Highway and head south towards Mulgowie, where you’ll find the Mulgowie Markets operating on the first Saturday of every month. Proudly boasting the tagline of ‘real’ farmers markets, the community event provides a space for local growers to sell their wares directly to the public. Chat to the experts about what’s in season and how you can best be using the goods on offer. Affectionately termed ‘Australia’s salad bowl’, the region is known for its high soil quality and boasts one of the top ten most fertile soils in the world.

If all this pondering over produce has stirred your appetite, pop into The Staging Post Cafe at the Lockyer Valley Cultural Centre in Gatton and sample local fruit and vegetables at their best. Once you’re well sated, head to the nearby Bauer’s Organic Farm to take a peek at Queensland’s largest producer of certified organic vegetables. Comprising several farms within the Mt Sylvia area, the 1000 acres of chemical-free farmland is shared between certified organic vegetables and grazing beef cattle. Time your visit to attend one of the farm’s regular tour open days, which will give you the opportunity to learn more about organic and biodynamic principles from one of the country’s most experienced growers.

Before heading back to the city, it’s only fair that you offer equal attention to the fruits of the region. Swing through Toowooomba or navigate the backstreets to reach Preston Peak Winery, where you can sample some fantastic regional wines from the cellar door.

Find more information about the Lockyer Valley here.