Citrus picking near Sydney clusters in two spots: the Hawkesbury around Laughtondale and Sackville, and the Central Coast hinterland around Somersby and Peats Ridge. Both run on a similar winter calendar, with mandarins, oranges, lemons and limes typically ready from May through September and peaking around June and July, which makes the depths of winter the best time to go.
Nearly all these farms are within about 90 minutes of the city, making for an easy day trip along the Hawkesbury River or up through the Central Coast hinterland. Ford's Farm at Laughtondale is a lovely spot to start, with riverside picnic tables and coffee and cakes for sale alongside its per-kilogram citrus pricing. Expect muddy riverside tracks after rain, and call ahead — winter picking days can be cancelled at short notice if the paddocks are too wet to walk.
10 farms
Sackville North · Bilpin & the Hawkesbury
About 90 minutes north-west of Sydney
Bilpin · Sydney Basin
Around the Sydney basin
Laughtondale · Sydney Basin
Around the Sydney basin
Somersby · Central Coast
About 90 minutes north of Sydney
Peats Ridge · Central Coast
About 90 minutes north of Sydney
Dooralong · Central Coast
About 90 minutes north of Sydney
Somersby · Central Coast
About 90 minutes north of Sydney
Bilpin · Bilpin & the Hawkesbury
About 90 minutes north-west of Sydney
Laughtondale · Sydney Basin
Around the Sydney basin
Kulnura · Central Coast
About 90 minutes north of Sydney
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There are two main clusters: the Hawkesbury River farms around Laughtondale and Sackville, and the Central Coast hinterland around Somersby, Peats Ridge and Dooralong. Both are within about 90 minutes of the CBD and grow a similar mix of oranges, mandarins, lemons and limes. With this many options, it's worth picking one cluster for your day out rather than combining both in a single trip.
The Hawkesbury farms around Laughtondale and Sackville are about an hour north-west of the city via Wisemans Ferry or the Hawkesbury River, while the Central Coast hinterland orchards are a similar distance north via the M1 and Peats Ridge Road. Both routes involve some winding country roads, so allow extra time, especially if you're bringing a picnic along for the day.
The main citrus season here runs through winter, roughly May to September, with June and July the peak — meaning midwinter is genuinely the best time to visit, not the quiet season it is for berries or stone fruit. A few Central Coast growers also pick valencia oranges later, into autumn. Ring ahead, since a wet week can close paddocks to walkers temporarily.
Most farms charge by the kilogram rather than a big entry fee. Ford's Farm asks $5 per car plus around $5 a kilo for mandarins, limes, lemons and oranges, with cumquats a little dearer at $12 a kilo. Watkins Family Farm sets a minimum bucket charge instead. Because models differ across farms, check pricing when you call to confirm the visit.