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Pick Your Own Farms

Cherry picking in Australia

Cherry picking is a short, sharp summer season across Australia, generally running from November to February and peaking in December. The earliest orchards open from mid-to-late November in districts like Young and Yass in NSW, the Perth Hills in WA, and parts of the Adelaide Hills. Most regions hit their stride through December, including Orange and the Riverina in NSW, the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, and Queensland's Granite Belt, which has a short, Christmas-timed window that can sell out well before New Year. Tasmania and the Riverina tend to run a little later, sometimes into late January or February. Picking is usually all-you-can-eat in the orchard, with fruit to take home charged by weight. Expect entry fees of roughly $5 to $25 depending on the farm, and take-home cherries priced from around $8 to $22 a kilogram, with prices firming as each region's crop nears its end.

Cherry season by state

Swipe to see all months. Peak and available windows are typical only and shift with the weather.

Typical cherry picking months by state
State Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
New South Wales Available Available Peak
Victoria Available Available Available Peak
Queensland Available Peak
South Australia Peak Available Peak
Western Australia Available Peak
Tasmania Peak Peak Peak
Australian Capital Territory Peak Available Peak Peak

Best places to pick cherry in Australia

New South Wales

Victoria

Closed for season Last verified 17 Jul 2026

Big Fella Cherries

Coldstream · Yarra Valley

Season
Nov-Jan approx (Christmas/summer period)
Price
Entry fee applies plus fruit picked charged separately
Open
Hours vary seasonally, likely weekends
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South Australia

Western Australia

Open now Last verified 17 Jul 2026

The Fruit Corner

Pickering Brook · Perth Hills

Season
Nov-Dec; Feb-Mar
Price
Entry fee approx $5 adults, $2 children; produce priced per kilo (Granny Smith apples ~$1/kg, Pink Lady ~$2/kg per one source)
Open
Open most weekends, roughly November to July depending on season; closed over winter (reopens late Nov/early Dec); check Facebook for exact dates
Booking
No booking needed
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DirectionsCall
Closed for season Last verified 17 Jul 2026

Carmel Cherry Farm

Carmel · Perth Hills

Season
Nov-Dec; Sep-Nov
Price
Sources vary: buggybuddys.com.au reports $10 entry per adult (kids free) plus cost of picked fruit per kg; RAC and Destination Perth report $5 adult entry plus $25/kg. Confirm current pricing before visiting.
Open
Weekends only during short cherry season (Nov-Dec); bookings essential, limited availability via Facebook waitlist
Booking
Booking required
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Directions
Unconfirmed · call ahead Not recently verified

Mr Peter Orchard Farm

Karragullen · Perth Hills

Season
Nov-Dec
Open
Seasonal self-pick cherry orchard, typically opens during cherry season (Nov-Dec)

Details may have changed. Call before travelling.

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Tasmania

Closed for season Last verified 17 Jul 2026

Iron Creek Bay Estate

Sorell (Tasman Peninsula gateway) · Hobart & the Huon Valley

Season
varies by crop, roughly Dec-Apr
Price
Complimentary for overnight guests; $20 per container for day visitors.
Open
Fruit picking part of a broader farm-stay/estate experience with 5km of signposted orchard paths; check harvest calendar for current availability.
Booking
Booking recommended
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Directions
Closed for season Last verified 17 Jul 2026

Platinum Ridge Cherries

Glaziers Bay · Hobart & the Huon Valley

Season
Jan-Feb
Price
Shed-door sales and a 'rent your own cherry tree' scheme (fruit that grows on your rented tree is yours to pick); pricing not published.
Open
January-February, Tuesday-Sunday 10am-3pm, by appointment only.
Booking
Booking required
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Cherry picking near your city

Cherry picking near AdelaideCherry picking near HobartCherry picking near MelbourneCherry picking near Sydney

Related crops

How to pick ripe cherry

Ripe cherries are deep red to almost black (depending on variety) and firm, with the stem still green and pliable. Pick with the stem attached rather than pulling the fruit off — cherries without stems spoil faster and bruise more easily. Keep picked cherries out of the sun and eat or refrigerate them the same day if you can; unwashed, they'll keep in the fridge for about a week, and only wash just before eating.

Last verified 17 Jul 2026. We check listings against farms' own sources and re-verify regularly. How we verify Report a change

Frequently asked questions

When is cherry season in Australia?

Cherry picking generally runs from mid-November to February, with December the peak month almost everywhere. Warmer inland districts like Young in NSW and the Perth Hills in WA start earliest, from late November, while the Riverina and Tasmania can run into late January or February. Queensland's Granite Belt has the shortest window, often finished by early January. Always confirm dates with the orchard, as a hot spell can end the season early.

How much does cherry picking cost?

Entry typically ranges from about $5 to $25 per adult, often covering all-you-can-eat picking in the orchard, with children usually cheaper or free under a certain age. Cherries to take home are then charged by weight, commonly $8 to $22 a kilogram depending on the region and how far into the season you visit. Some farms charge per kilogram picked with no separate entry fee.

Can you pick cherries near Sydney?

There are a couple of small cherry orchards in the Hawkesbury/Bilpin district, about 60 to 90 minutes from the CBD, though NSW's main cherry country is Orange and the Central West, roughly a three to three-and-a-half hour drive, and Young further south-west. Many Sydneysiders treat cherry picking as a weekend trip rather than a day trip. Book ahead, as cherry season is short.

Can you pick cherries near Melbourne?

Yes, and it's one of the best-served crops close to the city. The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, both under an hour and a half from the Melbourne CBD, have multiple cherry orchards typically picking from November into January. The Mornington Peninsula also has cherry picking over a similar window. Book ahead, since cherry season sells out fast in a good year.

Do you need to book for cherry picking?

It varies by orchard, but booking is common because cherry season is short and popular weekends fill quickly. Some farms take walk-ins on weekdays but require bookings for weekends, while others run entirely on online booking systems. Call or check the farm's website before you drive out, especially in the first two or three weeks of the season when demand is highest.