Close Menu
  • Home
  • What’s On
    • Events
    • Add an Event
    • Major Event
    • School Holiday Guide
  • Things To Do
    • Free Activities
      • Coastal Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
      • Picnic Spots
      • Playgrounds
      • Pram Walks
      • Rainy Day Activities
      • Walks and Bike Rides
    • Places to Visit
      • Attractions
      • Day Trips Away From The Peninsula
      • Galleries & Libraries
      • Historical
      • Markets
      • Tourism Centres
    • Places to Eat
      • Cafes
      • Restaurants
      • Wineries
    • Places To Stay
      • Accommodation
    • Shopping
      • Baby Goods – Sale & Hire
      • Child Friendly Shops
      • Made on the Peninsula
      • Online
      • Retail
    • At Home
      • Craft
      • Games
      • Recipes
  • Classes & Groups
    • Creative
      • Art and Craft
    • Playgroups
      • Central and Northern Peninsula
      • Southern Peninsula
      • Western Port
    • Sports
      • Fitness
      • Pre School Sports
      • Sports Classes and Tuition
  • Services
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Dental
      • Health Care Practitioners
      • Hospitals
      • Support Groups
    • Pregnancy & Baby
      • Prenatal
        • Pre Natal Care/Birth Support
        • Pre Natal Fitness & Wellbeing
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Maternity Products
      • PostNatal
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Post Natal Support & Wellbeing
    • Special Needs
      • Activities for Special Needs
      • Support for Special Needs
      • Therapists for Special Needs
    • Education & Childcare
      • Daycare
      • Kindergartens
      • Schools
    • Finance
      • Finance
    • Photography
      • Photography
    • Child Safety & Wellbeing
      • Child Safety/First Aid
      • Emergency Numbers
  • Articles
    • Education
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Parenting Articles
    • Places to Eat
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Reviews
    • Member Questions
  • Parties
    • Celebrate – Party Ideas
    • Entertainment
    • Suppliers
    • Venues
  • Giveaways
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Giveaways
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Friday, July 4
  • Advertise With Us
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Giveaways
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
Peninsula Kids
  • Home
  • What’s On
    • Events
    • Add an Event
    • Major Event
    • School Holiday Guide
  • Things To Do
    • Free Activities
      • Coastal Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
      • Picnic Spots
      • Playgrounds
      • Pram Walks
      • Rainy Day Activities
      • Walks and Bike Rides
    • Places to Visit
      • Attractions
      • Day Trips Away From The Peninsula
      • Galleries & Libraries
      • Historical
      • Markets
      • Tourism Centres
    • Places to Eat
      • Cafes
      • Restaurants
      • Wineries
    • Places To Stay
      • Accommodation
    • Shopping
      • Baby Goods – Sale & Hire
      • Child Friendly Shops
      • Made on the Peninsula
      • Online
      • Retail
    • At Home
      • Craft
      • Games
      • Recipes
  • Classes & Groups
    • Creative
      • Art and Craft
    • Playgroups
      • Central and Northern Peninsula
      • Southern Peninsula
      • Western Port
    • Sports
      • Fitness
      • Pre School Sports
      • Sports Classes and Tuition
  • Services
    • Health & Wellbeing
      • Dental
      • Health Care Practitioners
      • Hospitals
      • Support Groups
    • Pregnancy & Baby
      • Prenatal
        • Pre Natal Care/Birth Support
        • Pre Natal Fitness & Wellbeing
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Maternity Products
      • PostNatal
        • Maternal Health Centres
        • Post Natal Support & Wellbeing
    • Special Needs
      • Activities for Special Needs
      • Support for Special Needs
      • Therapists for Special Needs
    • Education & Childcare
      • Daycare
      • Kindergartens
      • Schools
    • Finance
      • Finance
    • Photography
      • Photography
    • Child Safety & Wellbeing
      • Child Safety/First Aid
      • Emergency Numbers
  • Articles
    • Education
    • Finances
    • Health
    • Parenting Articles
    • Places to Eat
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Reviews
    • Member Questions
  • Parties
    • Celebrate – Party Ideas
    • Entertainment
    • Suppliers
    • Venues
  • Giveaways
Peninsula Kids
Home»Local Activities»Cruden Farm
Local Activities

Cruden Farm

5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

BY: LORRAINE AITKEN

Cruden Farm, home to the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, holds a special place in many people’s hearts. It’s a place of tranquillity, inspiration, beauty, friendship, generosity, loyalty and above all else is the vision of one extraordinary woman that always put others before herself.

Back in 2009 I had the privilege of meeting Dame Elisabeth and her gardener Michael Morrison by chance at a community event held at Cruden Farm. Michael was driving the buggy around the grounds with Dame Elisabeth by his side when she spotted my then newborn son and stopped to give him a cuddle.  I remember that moment well; she gazed at him with such warmth and loving eyes, as if she was momentarily transported back in time to holding her own son. It was a special moment captured in a photograph that I later sent to her with a note. Despite her many commitments and being 100 years young at the time she replied within a week with a lovely letter thanking me for the photograph and hoping we had an enjoyable day at the farm. I mention this because I feel it represents the type of person she was better than any words I can put on a page. A genuinely warm person that willingly gave her time to anyone she met.

Something she was truly passionate about was Cruden farm, a wedding gift from the love of her life Sir Keith Murdoch, a journalist and newspaper executive.  At the time she was only 19 years old but had visions beyond her years for the 133 acre farm with barely a tree on it. Keith decided the best way he could support Elisabeth with her vision was to enlist the services of Edna Walling (an acclaimed gardener of the time) to contribute to the design of the garden, however the garden was almost entirely destroyed by bushfire in 1944 although some elements remained and can still be seen today such as the stone walls, circular lawn and the world-renowned lemon–scented gums that stretch from the front entrance along the sweeping drive to the house.

In 1952 Sir Keith passed away in his sleep at Cruden Farm leaving Dame Elisabeth a widow at the age of 43 and left to raise 4 children. Not long after Sir Keith’s passing she moved permanently to Cruden Farm where she could indulge in her two biggest passions: gardening and helping those in need.  Whilst Dame Elisabeth did much of the gardening herself she employed Michael Morrison in 1971 to help out on Sunday mornings, Michael was gardener no. 2, Dame Elizabeth was gardener no.1 and over the years they made a formidable team that lasted generations. In fact after 45 years you will still find Michael tending to the garden and ensuring Dame Elisabeth’s garden is just how she liked it. Not fussy, not showy and forever evolving with the times to be enjoyed today, tomorrow and well into the future.

I recently took a tour of the gardens with Cruden Farms managing director John Christie and although I’ve visited many times in the past with my children for family fun days, open gardens and car shows I had never really stopped to take it all in. One of the things that always stood out to me however, for no particular reason other than its beauty was the old water tank. A small wooden platform holds the tank high off the ground under a canopy of old trees with vines entangling themselves on the steel frame supporting it. This small tank as it turns out was the only water supply for both the home and garden until the mains water was connected in the 70’s. I was told Dame Elizabeth would rise early to hand pump the water for the garden, a chore I certainly imagine her doing with a smile.

Nearby to the water tank are the magnificent stables and outbuildings which were built during the Depression after the Murdochs employed men that were desperate for work. Percy Meldrum designed the stables and sourced the stone from the old Moorooduc Quarry for the construction. If you look at the stone on the stable walls you can actually see the chisel marks left in the stone. In the near future, horses may once again return to Cruden Farm, which would be lovely to see.

As for the gardens they were in full bloom with roses, sunflowers, and perennials bordered mostly by blue stone and lush green grass areas perfect for a picnic. In the stone-walled garden there is a lovely simple sculpture of Dame Elisabeth that is slightly obscured by plantings. When I asked why it was tucked away and the answer was “it’s how she would have wanted it”. She would find pleasure in having people find it.

Everything at Cruden farm has an understated elegance just like Dame Elisabeth.

A visit to Cruden Farm is a must and you will find it open to the public twice a month. Dates are released on a month to month basis and can be found at www.crudenfarm.com.au. Admission is $20 for adults but for an extra $15 I recommend taking a tour of the garden. Tours last between 1.5-2 hours and covers much of the farms history and insight into the lay out and thoughts behind the garden. Children are welcome and encouraged on the tours.

As well as the tours Cruden Farm remains largely devoted to community and charity functions and as a part of the general public I can say that we are very fortunate to be able to stroll through this marvellous garden and admire the 80 years of hard work and dedication that Dame Elisabeth created for future generations to enjoy and at the same time continue to support charities that were close to her heart.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Comments are closed.

Calendar
Today
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
30
1
2
2:00 PM - Soundwaves
3
4
5
6
7
12:00 AM - Winter School Holidays at Sk8house
8
9
10
11
8:30 AM - Rise Outdoors hike - Mount Martha to Mornington
12
13
14
15
4:00 PM - Sk8house Sensory Sessions
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
July 2, 2025    
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Band and Cinema Complex, HMAS Cerberus
  • Free Activities
  • Other
Join us for our flagship concert series, Soundwaves, at HMAS Cerberus and experience the RAN Band bringing our full wind band and variety of chamber [...]
More Info
Winter School Holidays at Sk8house
07 Jul
July 7, 2025 - July 18, 2025    
12:00 am
Sk8house
  • Family Activity
Winter School Holidays at Sk8house!   Get ready for non-stop fun this winter school holidays at Sk8house! We're pulling out all the stops to make [...]
More Info
Rise Outdoors hike - Mount Martha to Mornington
11 Jul
July 11, 2025    
8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Book now
  • School Holidays
Join our team of expert Outdoor Educators on a full-day hike from Mount Martha to Mornington on 11 July, to disconnect from screens, explore the [...]
More Info
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
July 15, 2025    
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Sk8house
  • Workshop/Class
The Sk8house Sensory Sessions aim to be a calm, welcoming space for skaters of all abilities to roll their way — with reduced noise, gentle [...]
More Info
Events on July 2, 2025
Soundwaves
Soundwaves
2 Jul 25
HMAS Cerberus
Events on July 7, 2025
07 Jul
Winter School Holidays at Sk8house
7 Jul 25
Carrum Downs
Events on July 11, 2025
11 Jul
Rise Outdoors hike - Mount Martha to Mornington
11 Jul 25
Events on July 15, 2025
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
Sk8house Sensory Sessions
15 Jul 25
Carrum Downs
Visit Our Advertisers
ABOUT

Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company.

MPNG publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids.

MPNG also publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News.

ADVERTISE WITH US

Instagram
Pretty much!
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
Pretty much!
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales.

EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons.

Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business.

There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business.

The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists.

#epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
Epson launches four new EcoTank printers as sales top 100 million and the company remains number one in large ink tank printer sales. EcoTank inkjet printers are world leaders in providing improved productivity for homes and small businesses for a number of reasons. Firstly, they come with up to two years’ worth of ink in the box, so you don’t need to worry about suddenly running out or constantly ordering replacements. This also means less user intervention due to fewer replaceable parts, giving you back time to invest in yourself and your business. There is zero warm-up time and a very fast first page out time with EcoTank printers and this, combined with their unique Heat-Free Technology, saves you time, energy, money and allows you greater flexibility for your home or small business. The new Epson EcoTank ET-4950, ET-3950, ET-3900 and ET-2950 printers come with a 24 month EcoTank Back to Base Warranty (12 month standard express warranty and an bonus additional 12 months upon registration) and are available now from https://www.epson.com.au/ecotank/, and all authorised Epson stockists. #epsonecotank #ad @epsonaust @Epson
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
2026 kinder registrations are now open!
If your child turns three or four by 30 April next year, they are eligible to attend kinder!

Register before 2 July 2025: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/kindergarten

#kinder #kinderregistration2026
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
2026 kinder registrations are now open! If your child turns three or four by 30 April next year, they are eligible to attend kinder! Register before 2 July 2025: www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/kindergarten #kinder #kinderregistration2026
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Elmo’s Circus Dream, a dazzling new live stage spectacular making its world premiere at Caulfield Racecourse these upcoming July School Holidays from June 27th to August 3rd, 2025.

Tickets and information: https://www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au/

#sesamestreetcircus 

@sesamestreetcircus 
@cavanaghpr
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
Elmo’s Circus Dream, a dazzling new live stage spectacular making its world premiere at Caulfield Racecourse these upcoming July School Holidays from June 27th to August 3rd, 2025. Tickets and information: https://www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au/ #sesamestreetcircus @sesamestreetcircus @cavanaghpr
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
❄️ Winter is here! And along with it, a fresh edition on Peninsula Kids magazine. Enjoy flipping through the pages that celebrate the season’s highlights so that you can make the most of the frostier months with your loved ones. 🥰
🌬️ Link to read in bio
————————————————————————————
#peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #winter #lovepeninsulakids #mpgrown #local #pregnnacyandbaby #creative #education #health #spotlight #recipes
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
❄️ Winter is here! And along with it, a fresh edition on Peninsula Kids magazine. Enjoy flipping through the pages that celebrate the season’s highlights so that you can make the most of the frostier months with your loved ones. 🥰 🌬️ Link to read in bio ———————————————————————————— #peninsulakids #peninsulakidsmagazine #winter #lovepeninsulakids #mpgrown #local #pregnnacyandbaby #creative #education #health #spotlight #recipes
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
#thinkingofyou
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
#thinkingofyou
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Grab your cameras and hot choccies! Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston!
When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you’re invited to interact and play among the lights during this free event!
——————————————————————————
#southsidefestival #neonfields #frankston #beautypark #visitfrankston #whatson #whatsonthisweekend #thingstodo #freeevent #photoops #lovepeninsulakids 
@southsidefestivalfrankston
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
Grab your cameras and hot choccies! Neon Fields returns to glow up Frankston! When the sun goes down it is time to gather family and friends and venture into Neon Fields. Beauty Park will once again be transformed into a colourful fantasy world where you’re invited to interact and play among the lights during this free event! —————————————————————————— #southsidefestival #neonfields #frankston #beautypark #visitfrankston #whatson #whatsonthisweekend #thingstodo #freeevent #photoops #lovepeninsulakids @southsidefestivalfrankston
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
In July, Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Senior Neurologist at The RCH Foundation, will embark on a remarkable solo flight around Australia to raise $4.5 million for life-changing treatments for children with rare and complex conditions.

Called Fly for the Kids, this one-of-a-kind fundraiser will help establish dedicated spaces, resources, and specialist staff at the RCH, making advanced therapies — including revolutionary gene therapy — more accessible to sick children across Australia.

Andrew’s journey will see him revisit patients whose lives have been transformed by advanced therapies, putting real faces and stories to the incredible impact of this innovation in paediatric healthcare.

You can learn more about the campaign here: https://flyforthekids.org.au 

@rch.foundation
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
In July, Associate Professor Andrew Kornberg, Senior Neurologist at The RCH Foundation, will embark on a remarkable solo flight around Australia to raise $4.5 million for life-changing treatments for children with rare and complex conditions. Called Fly for the Kids, this one-of-a-kind fundraiser will help establish dedicated spaces, resources, and specialist staff at the RCH, making advanced therapies — including revolutionary gene therapy — more accessible to sick children across Australia. Andrew’s journey will see him revisit patients whose lives have been transformed by advanced therapies, putting real faces and stories to the incredible impact of this innovation in paediatric healthcare. You can learn more about the campaign here: https://flyforthekids.org.au @rch.foundation
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Breast Cancer Trials, ANZ’s largest oncology research group, is holding a ‘matched giving day’ on Thursday, 8th May where – for 24 hours only, donations from the public will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of generous supporters. Every dollar raised will be doubled to help fund clinical breast cancer research.

How can people get involved:
Donate online at breastcancertrials.org.au/givingday (this will go live On Thursday 8th May)
Donate by calling 1800 423 444
Follow Breast Cancer Trials on socials and share their own stories, thanks and memories of their mums and mother-figures.

@breastcancertrials
mornpenkids
mornpenkids
•
Follow
Breast Cancer Trials, ANZ’s largest oncology research group, is holding a ‘matched giving day’ on Thursday, 8th May where – for 24 hours only, donations from the public will be matched dollar for dollar by a group of generous supporters. Every dollar raised will be doubled to help fund clinical breast cancer research. How can people get involved: Donate online at breastcancertrials.org.au/givingday (this will go live On Thursday 8th May) Donate by calling 1800 423 444 Follow Breast Cancer Trials on socials and share their own stories, thanks and memories of their mums and mother-figures. @breastcancertrials
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram
Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay In The Know

Sign up to our free newsletter and receive weekly updates on events and things to do with kids on the Mornington Peninsula.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
© 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.