The story behind the Giant Strawberry

Established in 2000 by Dave Cruse and Mark Miller, Redberry Farm began as a small commercial strawberry farm with a simple farm stall and a few strawberry fields. More than two decades later, it has grown into one of the Garden Route’s much-loved tourist destinations.

Today, visiting Redberry Farm is about much more than strawberries. Guests can pick their own strawberries, explore the Southern Hemisphere’s largest permanent hedge maze, take a ride on the Redberry Express, enjoy activities and outdoor adventures, browse the Farm Stall, or settle in for something delicious at one of the farm’s artisan eateries.

And then there is the Giant Strawberry.

Standing 14.5 metres tall and 8.5 metres wide, the Giant Strawberry is hard to miss. It has become one of Redberry Farm’s most recognisable landmarks and a unique attraction in the Garden Route.

The idea came from Redberry Farm owner and farmer, Mark Miller, who wanted to create something that was completely different and one-of-a-kind. During a visit to the southernmost point of Africa with his wife, Janelle, Mark noticed that visitors were happily queuing to take photographs at the landmark despite cold and rainy weather. It sparked an idea: if a unique landmark could draw people in almost regardless of the weather, why not create one that celebrated what Redberry Farm was all about?

And so, the idea of a Giant Strawberry was born.

The construction journey began with extensive planning and collaboration with steel and fibreglass manufacturers, architects and engineers. From October 2020, the project went through numerous meetings and design stages, while COVID-19, steel shortages, delays and rising costs presented their own challenges. The first pieces arrived at Redberry Farm in January 2022, with assembly beginning soon afterwards. By April 2022, the main structure was standing.

The Giant Strawberry officially opened in June 2022.

But this isn’t simply a giant structure shaped like a strawberry. The attention to detail is what turned it into this unique spectacular attraction. Each seed was handcrafted from fibreglass moulds, the leaves were strategically positioned, and veins were moulded onto their undersides to create a realistic finish. The steel framework was carefully shaped to bring the unusual architectural design to life.

Inside, a spiral staircase leads visitors towards the top, where panoramic views stretch across the strawberry fields, surrounding farms and the Outeniqua Mountains. It is part educational tour, part landmark and part photo opportunity – a place where visitors can quite literally climb inside one of Redberry Farm’s biggest ideas.

More than a farm

At its heart, Redberry Farm is still a working strawberry farm. Strawberries have been grown here since 2000, and the farm continues to combine agriculture with tourism, food, family entertainment and outdoor experiences.

From picking a strawberry straight from the field to getting lost in the maze, enjoying a farm-style meal or climbing inside a 14.5-metre strawberry before sliding back down, the experience is about creating lasting memories.

Because at Redberry Farm, the best part of the day isn’t always what you planned to do.

Sometimes, it’s the biggest strawberry you have ever seen – and the unexpected slide waiting inside.