THE STORY BEHIND SCOTCH HILL TRUFFLE FARM
What brings people to Scotch Hill and what makes them return?
A TRUFFLE FARM , A DESTINATION AND PLACE TO STAY IN WEST GIPPSLAND
Scotch Hill Truffle Farm is a working truffle farm and agritourism destination set high in the rolling hills of West Gippsland, just over an hour from Melbourne. Known for its stunning views, seasonal truffle experiences and year-round farm stays, Scotch Hill brings together land, learning and hospitality in one place, shaped by cold winters, forest edges and the rhythm of the seasons
What does Scotch Hill offer to you?
A DEEP CONNECTION BY PLACE , PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE
Everything at Scotch Hill is connected by land, knowledge and long-term practice, with experiences and offerings available across the year. Each offering reflects the same philosophy: patience, quality and generosity in sharing what we’ve learned.
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WINTER BLACK TRUFFLES
Harvested seasonally by trained truffle dogs. -
INOCULATED TRUFFLE TREES & ADVANCED CITRUS TREES
Available year-round, grown using decades of nursery expertise. -
TRUFFLE HUNTS & SEASONAL EXPERIENCES
Immersive, educational and sensory, offered during the winter truffle season. -
FARM ACCOMMODATON
Year round stays, from intimate escapes to group retreats with exceptional views and offering country living at its best.
Who are the people behind Scotch Hill?
MICHELLE & RON – FOUNDERS, FARMERS, EDUCATORS
After graduating with their science degree Michelle Jones and Ron Geritz relocated to Neerim South in 1990, raised their family here, and have been active contributors to the local community ever since.
Michelle has held a fascination with truffles for more than 30 years. That interest was shaped and reignited through global travel and exposure to truffle cuisine, leading to a deeper appreciation of both the cultural and culinary dimensions of truffles and, ultimately, to their cultivation at Scotch Hill.
Ron brings more than 30 years’ experience in high-tech horticulture and sustainable agriculture across Australia, Europe and Asia. He has led large-scale nursery and vertical farming projects and continues to contribute to regional transition and resilience initiatives, combining practical expertise with systems-based thinking.
Michelle has led international agri-business partnerships across Australia and China. Her work has been recognised with the Australia–China Business Award in Agribusiness, reflecting a long-standing commitment to knowledge exchange and sustainable agricultural development.
What happens when farming is guided by time rather than speed?
OUR FARMING PHILOSOPHY
Truffles cannot be rushed. They require years of preparation, attention to soil health, tree wellbeing and careful harvesting at peak maturity.
Scotch Hill is located in the cool, high-rainfall hills of West Gippsland, where farmland meets forest and winter settles deeply into the soil. Cold winters, reliable rainfall, rich soils and elevation create ideal conditions for cultivating winter black truffles beneath holm oak trees (also known as holly oak, Quercus ilex).
At Scotch Hill, we make farming decisions with patience and a long view. We prioritise soil biology, manage trees for longevity, and focus on quality over volume. This considered approach shapes both the farm itself and the experiences we share with our guests.
Scotch Hill Truffle Farm is a proud member of the Australian Truffle Industry Association.
What stories does the land carry forward through generations?
HERITAGE OF PLACE
Michelle’s connection to Gippsland spans generations. Her great-great-great grandfather, Henry Godridge, arrived in the region in the mid-1800s during the goldfields era. An enterprising settler, he established the Tanjil Hotel to serve the goldfields community, later acquiring the Morwell Bridge Hotel and investing in fertile farmland along the Latrobe River.
In 1879, while fishing on the riverbanks, Henry discovered a seam of brown coal — a finding that helped shape the future of Gippsland’s energy and industrial history. That legacy of adaptation, enterprise and responsiveness to land continues at Scotch Hill today.