What fruit is in season in December?

New South Wales

Cherries are typically at their peak around Orange and the Riverina, stone fruit is ripe in the Hawkesbury and Southern Highlands, and strawberries continue in the Hawkesbury while starting around Orange and the Central West.

Victoria

Cherries are typically at their peak across the Yarra Valley, Dandenongs, Mornington Peninsula and around Ballarat and Bendigo, alongside strawberries, raspberries and blackberries in full swing statewide.

Queensland

Cherries and stone fruit are typically at their peak in the Granite Belt around Stanthorpe, and mangoes are usually at their best around Bundaberg and other commercial regions statewide.

South Australia

Cherries are typically at their peak in the Adelaide Hills, with strawberries and raspberries also ripe there and on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Western Australia

Cherries are typically at their peak in the Perth Hills, while blueberries and raspberries continue in the South West around Manjimup and Pemberton.

Tasmania

Strawberries are typically at their peak statewide, and cherries are usually just starting, building toward a late-December-to-February window.

Australian Capital Territory

Cherries are typically at their peak in the Canberra region and the Young/Yass day-trip belt, the highlight of the ACT's short picking calendar.

Northern Territory

Citrus and passionfruit are typically still going statewide around Darwin and Katherine as the dry season draws to a close.

Early December vs late December — does timing matter?

December splits into two distinct picking windows. In early December, cherries are typically at their peak across most southern regions — the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide Hills and the Central West of NSW around Orange are all usually firing in the first two weeks. Stone fruit (peaches, nectarines, plums) is just coming on in these same areas. If you plan to pick cherries, earlier in the month is generally safer: warm weather can push fruit past prime quickly, and popular farms sell out of their best varieties in the first few weeks.

By late December and the Christmas–New Year window, the cherry picture shifts — cooler regions like Ballarat and Tasmania are often still going, but warmer Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills sites may be winding down. Stone fruit, however, ramps up significantly in the second half of the month, with peaches, nectarines and apricots from Woori Yallock (Vic), Bacchus Marsh (Vic) and the Hawkesbury and Riverina (NSW) typically hitting their stride. Blueberries and raspberries are well underway across the Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula and Bellarine Peninsula by late December. Call ahead regardless — summer heat can accelerate or truncate any season by days.

In season in December near Sydney

Sydney pickers have several options within a 1–2 hour drive in December. Bilpin in the Hawkesbury is the closest orchard district — Bilpin Fruit Bowl opens from mid-November and carries stone fruit and berries into December, while Blueberry Hills on Comleroy at Kurrajong has blueberries running through the summer. Heading south-west, Cedar Creek Orchard at Thirlmere (Sydney Basin) offers stone fruit from November through January. For cherries, the closest verified options involve driving out to the Central West around Orange, where Nashdale Orchards, Hillside Harvest and Stockman's Ridge Orchard are typically open in November–December. See the full cherry picking near Sydney guide and the Bilpin region page for current listings.

In season in December near Melbourne

Melbourne is exceptionally well served in December. The Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges together host a concentration of cherry and berry farms within 45–70 minutes of the CBD. CherryHill Orchards at Wandin East is one of Victoria's largest PYO cherry operations and typically opens late November through early January. Blue Hills Berries and Cherries at Silvan offers cherries from November and berries running through February. On the Mornington Peninsula, Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm at Main Ridge runs strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries from November through April, and Ripe 'N' Ready Cherry Farm at Red Hill is typically open mid-November to mid-January. At Woori Yallock, Rayner's Orchard carries stone fruit through December and beyond. See the full cherry picking near Melbourne guide for the complete list.

In season in December near Brisbane

Brisbane's climate means most PYO activity happens outside summer, but December still has options. Warraba Sunflowers near Cambooya on the Darling Downs runs select picking weekends historically around December through February — check their Facebook for current-season dates. Windy Acres Farm at Westbrook offers lavender pick-your-own in December–January. For fruit, the best December destination within a 2.5–3 hour drive is the Granite Belt around Stanthorpe, where the cool elevation means cherries and stone fruit (peaches, plums) at Nicoletti Orchards in Pozieres are typically ripe in December. The Brisbane region page has the full seasonal picture for South-East Queensland.

In season in December near Perth

Perth has one of Australia's most concentrated December picking scenes thanks to the Perth Hills. Carmel Cherry Farm and The Fruit Corner in Pickering Brook are both typically open for cherries in November–December. Tony's Summer Fruits at Carmel runs stone fruit — peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots — from December through April, and S&R Orchard at Walliston hosts their Summer Fruit Festival from December through March. In the Swan Valley, grape picking at Swan Valley Fresh Fruit and Padbury Pickings begins in December. For the broader picture, see the Western Australia state page.

Previous month, next month and the full season calendar

December sits at the heart of summer picking season. For what ripens just before, see what's in season in November — cherries begin in earnest that month, strawberries hit their stride, and the first stone fruit appears. For what comes next, January carries most of December's crops forward: stone fruit peaks, blueberries and raspberries continue, and Tasmania's cherries hit full swing. For a month-by-month overview of every crop and state, the Australian fruit picking season calendar is the quickest reference.