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Pick Your Own Farms

Blackberry picking in Australia

Blackberry picking is between seasons across most of Australia in September. We list 31 pick-your-own blackberry farms nationally — see the season table below for when picking reopens in your state.

Ripe and unripe blackberries clustered on a bramble bush
Representative blackberry-picking image. Seasons and availability vary by farm and weather. "Blackberry fruits 2008 G1" by George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Blackberry picking in Australia is a smaller, more scattered scene than strawberries or raspberries, concentrated mostly in Victoria and Tasmania with a season shape close to the state's other summer berries. Victoria's Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland districts run from spring into autumn, with individual farms opening anywhere from October or November through to March or April depending on the property, peaking around December to February. Tasmania's growers follow a similar rhythm, generally picking from spring through to autumn with some farms concentrating their blackberry patch into a shorter mid-summer window. New South Wales has only a handful of pick-your-own blackberry options, mainly on the far South Coast, open around December to January. Because blackberries are usually grown alongside raspberries, boysenberries or other cane fruit on mixed berry farms, few properties publish a blackberry-only price. Expect to pay by weight alongside the farm's other berries, typically somewhere in the $9 to $20 a kilogram range, or an entry fee of around $9 to $25 that includes some picking.

Blackberry season in Australia

Blackberry season in Australia runs roughly November to April across the main growing regions, with the bulk of pick-your-own farms opening in December and reaching peak ripeness through January and February. Victoria accounts for most of the country's PYO blackberry options — farms in the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, such as Blue Hills Berries and Cherries in Silvan and Jay Berries in Wandin East, typically open from November and run through to March or April. The Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland follow a similar window. Tasmania's berry farms — including Westerway Raspberry Farm — concentrate blackberries into a shorter mid-summer window, roughly mid-January to February. New South Wales has just one confirmed option, on the far South Coast, picking through December and January. No verified pick-your-own blackberry farms have been confirmed for Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia or the ACT.

Blackberry varieties grown in Australia

Most pick-your-own blackberry farms in Australia grow cane varieties developed or naturalised for the southern climate. The table below covers varieties you're most likely to encounter at PYO properties.

VarietyTypical ripeningStates commonly grownFlavour note
SilvanDec–JanVIC (Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley)Large, glossy berry; rich, sweet-acid flavour; thorny canes
ChesterJan–MarVIC, TASThornless; plump, sweet berry with mild flavour; one of the latest to ripen
Karaka BlackDec–FebVIC, TASVery large elongated berry; intensely sweet with low acid; semi-thornless
OuachitaDec–FebVIC, NSWThornless; firm berry with classic blackberry flavour; good shelf life

Blackberry season by state

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

Typical blackberry picking months by state
State Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
New South Wales Peak Peak Available Available Available Available Peak
Victoria Peak Peak Available Available Available Available Peak
South Australia Peak
Tasmania Peak Peak Peak Available Available Available

Best places to pick blackberries in Australia

New South Wales

Victoria

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Cities with blackberry picking

Blackberry picking near Melbourne

Blackberry farms by state

Peak season by month

Related crops

How to pick ripe blackberries

Ripe blackberries are fully black all over with no red drupelets showing — a berry that's still partly red is tart and unripe. They should pull away from the stem easily with a gentle tug; if it resists, give it another day. Pick into a shallow container, as blackberries bruise easily when stacked deep, and mind the thorny canes on older varieties. At home, keep blackberries unwashed in the fridge and eat within two to three days, or spread them on a tray to freeze individually before bagging if you want them to last longer.

Last verified 3 Sep 2026. We check listings against farms' own sources and re-verify regularly. How we verify Report a change

Frequently asked questions

When is blackberry season in Australia?

Blackberry picking is concentrated in Victoria and Tasmania, running spring into autumn. Most Victorian farms in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland open somewhere between October and April, peaking December to February, though exact dates vary by property. Tasmanian growers follow a similar spread, with some farms concentrating picking into a shorter mid-summer window. Always confirm current dates with the farm.

How much does blackberry picking cost?

Because blackberries are usually grown alongside raspberries and other cane fruit, few farms set a blackberry-only price — you typically pay the same per-kilogram rate as the farm's other berries, roughly $9 to $20 a kilogram. Some properties charge an entry fee instead, from about $9 to $25 per person, occasionally including a first kilogram of fruit. Confirm current pricing when you call ahead.

Can you pick blackberries near Sydney?

Options are limited. There's currently one confirmed pick-your-own blackberry farm on the NSW far South Coast, several hours' drive from Sydney, picking through December and January alongside blueberries and strawberries. If blackberries specifically are the goal, Victoria and Tasmania have considerably more choice, so it may be worth planning a longer trip or looking at a related berry closer to home.

Can you pick blackberries near Melbourne?

Yes, this is the strongest region in the country for it. The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the Melbourne CBD, have several mixed-berry farms growing blackberries alongside raspberries and boysenberries, generally picking from spring into autumn. The Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland also have options, with exact opening months varying by farm.

Are blackberries thorny to pick?

Some are. Older blackberry varieties have thorny canes, so wear closed shoes and consider long sleeves, while newer thornless varieties are increasingly common on pick-your-own farms and suit families with kids. Farms growing thorny varieties usually mention it on their website or when you arrive, and staff can point out which rows are thornless if the property grows both.

When are blackberries in season in Australia?

Blackberry season in Australia runs roughly November to April across the main growing regions, with the core of the crop arriving in December and January. Victoria is the strongest region — farms in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland open anywhere from October or November through to March or April. Tasmania follows a similar shape, typically mid-December to February, with Westerway Raspberry Farm peaking mid-January to February. NSW options are limited and mostly confined to December and January. Always check the farm's current picking status before you visit.

Can I grow blackberries at home in Australia?

Yes — blackberries are vigorous growers in most of southern Australia and need little more than full sun, reasonable drainage and a trellis or fence to climb. Thornless varieties like Chester or Ouachita are the practical home-garden choice.