There’s nothing like fresh farm-sourced produce. With a growing number of pick-your-own-fruit experiences available across New South Wales, fruit picking is the perfect road trip activity.
Always check the weather before setting out – and don’t forget to wear solid closed-in shoes, a hat and take drinking water. Lastly, make sure to pack a box, bag or basket for your bounty – which you can either pay for at a set cost per kilogram, per bag, or as an entry fee when you enter the farm depending on what the farm prefers. Some orchards offer reduced or free entry fees for children.
Spring
Hawkesbury
In the Hawkesbury region, Canoelands Orchard begin their stone fruit season in mid-spring with yellow nectarines.
Photo credit: @canoelandsorchard on Instagram
Macarthur
A good wet weather option, Berrylicious Strawberries in Thirlmere grows their fruit undercover and offer pick-your-own days via their Facebook page, while Cedar Creek Orchard offer pick-your-own days for yellow nectarines and peaches as the weather warms up.
Central Coast
In late spring, Misty Valley Farm and The Giving Farm offer blueberry events where you can fill your basket up based on how the fruit is ripening at the time.
Photo credit: @misty_valley_farm on Instagram
Bilpin
A new addition to the farm, Bilpin Fruit Bowl offers strawberry picking on select weekends in its brand new strawberry hothouses.
Northern Rivers
Blueberry Fields hosts occasional community-focused open days with pick-your-own blueberries at the farm in the Byron hinterland.
Autumn
Bilpin
When the leaves start to turn, it’s apple-picking time. Head to Bilpin for the best crop at TNT Produce, Bilpin Springs Orchard, and Pine Crest Orchard, with most farms open until late May/early June.
Photo credit: @pinecrest_orchard on Instagram
Central Coast
In March and April, The Giving Farm offers pick-your-own gooseberries, raspberries and sunflowers. As the name suggests, this isn’t any ordinary farm. A key part of what they do on this beautiful family farm is take in native animals and livestock that need to be cared for. There are also sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and geese – and you can enjoy an animal cuddle and pat session in tandem with your fruit picking experience.
Photo credit: @thegivingfarmau on Instagram
Macarthur
At Cedar Creek Orchards, persimmons at their peak can be picked from April to May. With two varieties to choose from – Makaewa Jiro (Jiro) and Fuyu – this is an opportunity to have your pick of one the lesser-known fruits grown in this country.
Photo credit: @ebonyandlace on Instagram
Winter
Hawkesbury
When the weather turns chilly, head through Wisemans Ferry for citrus such as mandarins, oranges, limes and lemons at Ford’s Farm and Watkins Family Farm.
Central Coast
Winter is time for navel oranges on the coast, with Wyuna Farms and Pick Your Own Dooralong both open on selected weekends.
Year-round
Ricardoes in Port Macquarie has pick-your-own tomatoes and strawberries available all seasons, along with free farm tours daily.
Photo credit: @ricardoestomatoes on Instagram
Summer
Young
Blooming in November and fruiting in December, juicy cherries can be picked in the Hilltops Region, comprising Young, Boorowa, Harden and Jugiong. Young hosts the National Cherry Festival just before Christmas, and is considered the cherry capital of Australia. Book your spot to pick your own in the region.
Photo credit: @hilltopsregion on Instagram
Orange
Before it was known for wine, Orange was a prime growing area for cherries. A number of local orchards open each summer for pick-your-own visits, listed on the local tourism page. Additionally, you can pick berries all summer at Huntley Berry Farm, located just near Orange airport.
Photo credit: @huntleyberryfarm on Instagram
Bilpin
Come January, stone fruit, such as peaches and nectarines, are available at orchards along Bells Line of Road towards the Blue Mountains. The first apples of the season are ripe for picking in late January/early February, with pears coming into fruit late summer at Bilpin Springs Orchard.
Photo credit: @bilpinspringsorchard on Instagram
Central Coast
Valencia oranges dominate the summer months; pick your own on selected weekends at Pick Your Own Oranges Dooralong or at Wyuna Farms on the Central Coast – which has over 6000 orange trees across the 50-acre property.
Photo credit: @pickyourownorangesdooralong on Instagram
