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Explore Victoria’s Best Orchards for Fruit Picking
Fruit picking in Victoria starts in November and continues right through to May the following year. The season kicks off with stone fruits like cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums, and finishes with pears and apples. Whether you are after the freshness of summer berries or the rich flavours of autumn apples and pears, there is no shortage of options. Explore Victoria’s Best Orchards for Fruit Picking below, and discover some top spots along with tips for making the most of your visit.
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What is the Best Time for Fruit Picking?
In Victoria, fruit-picking seasons vary depending on the type of fruit.
Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your visit:
- Stone fruits (cherries, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums): November to February
- Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries): November to April
- Apples and pears: March to May
Each fruit has its own ideal season, so the best time to visit will depend on what you want to pick. If you are interested in stone fruits, summer is your best bet, while those after apples and pears should plan for an autumn visit.
1. Rayners Orchard – Woori Yallock
For a year-round fruit-picking experience, Rayners Orchard in the Yarra Valley is a great choice. This orchard grows more than 450 varieties of fruit and have at least 8 varieties of fruit every day of the year. Depending on the time of year, you can pick peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, apples, and pears. The farm also offers fruit-tasting tours and tractor rides through the orchard, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages.
Please note that their farm operates differently from typical U-Pick fruit farms. With the vast variety of fruit on their property, they require visitors to join a guided fruit tasting tour (cost $7.50-$35.50), so one of their farm guides can help locate the trees that are ready for picking and tasting.
Season: All year round
What to Pick: Peaches, nectarines, plums, apples, pears, and more
Location: 60 Schoolhouse Road, Woori Yallock
2. Ripe ‘N’ Ready Cherry Farm – Red Hill
This popular cherry farm on the Mornington Peninsula is a must-visit for cherry lovers. Ripe ‘N’ Ready Cherry Farm offers a fantastic cherry-picking experience from late November through to mid-January. The farm’s picturesque location in Red Hill adds to its charm, making it a great spot for a family outing.
Season: November to January
What to Pick: Cherries
Location: 52 Arkwells Lane, Red Hill
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3. CherryHill Orchards – Wandin East and Coldstream
CherryHill Orchards is one of the best spots to experience cherry-picking in Victoria. Nestled in the stunning Yarra Valley, this family-owned orchard opens its gates to the public every summer for a memorable cherry-picking experience. The 100-acre Coldstream orchard opens early November to late December, and the 85-acre Wandin East orchard opens late November to early January. After picking, you can relax and enjoy cherry ice cream or a glass of refreshing cherry juice at their café.
Season: November to January
What to Pick: Cherries
Locations:
Coldstream Orchard – 739 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream
Wandin East Orchard – 474 Queens Rd, Wandin East
4. Blue Hills Berries & Cherries – Silvan
Located in the Yarra Valley, Blue Hills Berries & Cherries offers both berry and cherry picking, making it a popular destination during the warmer months. Between November and April, you can pick your own raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and cherries. The farm is well-known for its friendly atmosphere and delicious fruit. Blue Hills also has a farm gate where you can purchase jams, sauces, and other farm-made products to take home.
Season: November to April
What to Pick: Raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries
Locations:
U-Pick Cherries
30 Chapman Road, Silvan
55 George Road, Silvan
U-Pick Strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries and blueberries
27 Parker Road, Silvan
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5. Big Fella Cherries – Coldstream
Big Fella Cherries is a great option for picking cherries in the Yarra Valley. Located in Coldstream, this family-run orchard allows you to pick big, juicy cherries from mid-November through to January. The stunning surroundings and friendly staff make it a perfect day trip for families.
Season: November to January
What to Pick: Cherries
Location: 220 Coldstream West Road, Coldstream
6. Cherry Haven – Wandin East
Cherry Haven is a family-owned U-pick cherry orchard located in Wandin East, featuring 30 varieties of cherries. Renowned for its exceptional quality, the orchard offers visitors the opportunity to pick their own cherries straight from the trees during the cherry season, which runs from November to January.
Season: November to January
What to Pick: Cherries
Location: 474 Queens Road, Wandin East
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7. Kinglake Raspberries – Kinglake
Kinglake Raspberries is a 25-hectare raspberry farm offering visitors the opportunity to pick fresh raspberries straight from the bush. Located approximately an hour from Melbourne, this family-run farm is renowned for its high-quality raspberries and features two picking seasons — autumn and summer.
Seasons:
Autumn Season: late March/early April – mid May
Summer Season: December-January
What to Pick: Raspberries
Location: Tooheys Road, Pheasant Creek
8. Naturipe Fruits Farm – Bacchus Marsh
Naturipe Fruits has three farms located in Bacchus Marsh and Ballarat, making it a popular choice for fruit picking in the area. Depending on the season, visitors can pick strawberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples and more. The farm is family-friendly and offers a variety of fruit options.
Season: All year round
What to Pick: Strawberries and cherries
Locations:
Bacchus Marsh Main Farm
638 Bacchus Marsh Road, Bacchus Marsh
Bacchus Marsh Strawberry Farm
534 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Bacchus Marsh
Ballarat Cherry Farm
20 Forbes Rd, Leigh Creek, Ballarat
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9. Surf Coast Strawberry Fields – Mount Duneed
Surf Coast Strawberry Fields in Mount Duneed is a welcoming destination for those who enjoy fresh strawberries. Visitors can pick their own strawberries directly from the fields. This family-run operation provides a relaxed atmosphere, making it a great outing for families and friends.
Season: October/November – late April
What to Pick: Strawberries
Location: 2 McCanns Road, Mount Duneed
10. Tuckerberry Hill Blueberries – Drysdale
Tuckerberry Hill Blueberries, located on the Bellarine Peninsula, is one of Victoria’s premier blueberry and strawberry farms. Visitors can wander the rows of blueberry and strawberry bushes to pick their own sweet, plump berries. The farm also offers a café and great views, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing day trip.
Blueberry Season: Mid Dec to First week of Feb
Strawberry Season: October to May
What to Pick: Blueberries and strawberries
Location: 35 Becks Road, Drysdale
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Tips for Fruit Picking:
- Wear the Right Clothing: Fruit picking can be a fun but messy activity, so wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Also, bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent if you’re picking during the warmer months.
- Bring Your Own Containers: Some farms provide containers, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own baskets or bags to transport your fruit. Check with the farm beforehand to see what they recommend.
- Check Picking Conditions: Weather and crop conditions can affect the availability of fruit. It’s always best to call ahead or check the farm’s website or social media to ensure they’re open and have fruit available to pick.
- Arrive Early: Fruit picking can be a popular activity, and arriving early will give you the best selection of fresh produce before the crowds.
- Don’t Overpick: Only pick what you can eat or preserve. Picking more fruit than you need can lead to waste, especially if you can’t store it properly.
Best Ways to Store Freshly Picked Fruit:
- Strawberries, Raspberries, and Blackberries: Store these delicate berries in the fridge in a breathable container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture. They are best eaten within 2-3 days of picking. You can also freeze them in a single layer and transfer them to a container for longer storage.
- Cherries: Cherries should be stored in the fridge to maintain freshness. They can last up to a week if kept cold and dry. For longer storage, you can freeze cherries by pitting them and laying them out on a baking sheet before transferring them to an airtight container.
- Stone Fruits (Peaches, Plums, Nectarines): If your stone fruits are still firm, leave them at room temperature to ripen. Once ripe, store them in the fridge for up to a week. For preserving, consider canning or making jam.
- Apples and Pears: These fruits can last several weeks in the fridge, especially if they are stored in a crisper drawer. Apples and pears also freeze well, either as slices for baking or
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