About Boonderoo Walnuts

Boonderoo Walnuts is a primary producer of walnuts and walnut products. The name Boonderoo means “place of many rocks”- and we have many! It is situated at Redesdale – in the heart of Victoria on the volcanic uplands between the Campaspe and Coliban rivers as the join to become Lake Eppalock. It’s a lovely place to farm and to live.

We (Hilary and Mark Jankelson) acquired Boonderoo at the beginning of 2000. It was a sheep farm at the time and we set about converting it to a Walnut orchard beginning in 2001. We had done extensive research into what would be a viable commercial enterprise to undertake. The decision to plant walnuts was compelling. At the time Australia was importing the majority of its walnuts from overseas and we could see the opportunity to change that.

Twelve years later we have approximately 10,000 trees in place at Boonderoo and our other property “Bugilboorie” in the Murray Valley (acquired in 2006). From these two properties we supply the wholesale markets, export markets and 8 Farmers markets in Central Victoria.

When we started our venture in 2000 we had busy jobs and activities in Melbourne. We spent about 2 days a week on the orchard in the early years. Now that the enterprise has grown, and we have added breeding South Devon Cattle, it occupies us just about full time. We still spend some of our week in Melbourne keeping up with our professional work and our social activities.

We get a great deal of satisfaction out of growing and selling walnuts – one of the world’s original superfoods. There is so much good evidence available now about the health benefits of walnuts (link to Info page). We want everyone to eat them. We love engaging with consumers at the markets and our goal is to convert the Australian public to buying fresh Australian walnuts and eating 10 a day!