Iconic landmark 'Ricardoes' hits market after 25 years

The 40-hectare property on the Hastings River, at 221 Blackmans Point Road, Blackmans Point, hosts up to 150,000 visitors annually.

Ray White Manning Valley principal Rob Chapman described Ricardoes as a household name and a “powerhouse asset”.

“With wholesale tomato supply, pick-your-own strawberries, dining, and retail preserves, it delivers multiple robust revenue streams,” Mr Chapman said.

Offers to purchase the property close on 30 September.

Ricardoes began modestly in 2001 as a tomato-growing sideline, its income simply from an honesty box at the farm gate.

Word quickly spread that Ricardoes tomatoes were “tomatoes as they used to taste” and the Port Macquarie and Hastings community embraced the flavoursome fruit, prompting Mr Sarks to increase production and establish the farm’s now-renowned massive tomato greenhouses.

Sustainability was a hallmark of the expanded operation, with Ricardoes installing extensive solar banks to feed its energy needs, and employing a number of other water conservation and environmental measures. 

As Ricardoes’ multi-faceted production expanded, Mr Sarks’ determination to avoid food waste led him to seek out a manufacturer to turn the farm’s excess tomato and strawberry crops into a range of own-branded sweet and savoury preserves. 

Beginning with its original strawberry jam, there is now a wide variety of Ricardoes-labelled jams, chutneys, salsas and more sold in the farm shop, by local and regional outlets, at market days, and by mail order.

The products have won multiple gold and silver Fine Food Show awards, and the initiative had a remarkable spin-off: Ricardoes’ manufacturing contractor, The Other Chef, also based in Port Macquarie, went on to produce preserves for numerous other local and Australia-wide food suppliers and wineries, becoming a substantial enterprise in itself.

Meanwhile, the popularity of its tomatoes led Mr Sarks to extend to greenhouse strawberry growing, and to offer a nature-based pick-your-own experience that became an instant hit with families and visitors of all ages.

Alongside the development of its casual on-site restaurant, overseen by Mrs Sarks, free farm tours were added, and the business became a magnet not only for visiting locals, just 10 minutes’ drive from the town centre, but also a must-do for tourists, with no entry fee. Ricardoes was voted Best Tourist Attraction in the Greater Port Macquarie Tourism Awards four times, and subsequently entered the Hall of Fame.  

Other distinctions include Ricardoes tomatoes being judged Best in NSW at the Sydney Royal Easter Show a remarkable 10 times - every time they have entered.

TV travel shows such as Getaway, Weekend Sunrise, Better Homes & Gardens, Channel 9’s Today and Sydney Weekender have sought out Ricardoes to feature in their line-up.

Mr Sarks said the family is aiming to sell to another operator for a seamless transition of the business as a popular Port Macquarie icon.

“While Carole and I look forward to a happy retirement, we’ve been very much fulfilled building Ricardoes from its humble beginnings into the variety of experiences our visitors enjoy today.

“We hope someone will be eager to take over the reins and continue to build on Ricardoes’ position as a Hastings community identity and keen contributor to the Port and district’s tourism industry.”