What fruit is in season in September?

New South Wales

Strawberry season starts again in the Hawkesbury and Bilpin, blueberries continue on the Coffs Coast, citrus is in its final month on the Central Coast and in the Hawkesbury, sunflowers keep going on the Central Coast, and lavender season begins in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands.

Victoria

Citrus is winding down in its final month in the Yarra Valley, with mandarins and oranges still available but most other Victorian farms yet to open for spring.

Queensland

Strawberries continue from the Scenic Rim to Bundaberg, citrus keeps going in Bundaberg, mango season begins on the Atherton Tablelands in the Far North, and sunflowers and lavender both start opening in the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim.

South Australia

Lavender season begins in the Adelaide Hills this month, the first pick-your-own crop typically listed there since the quiet winter months.

Western Australia

Strawberries continue in the Swan Valley and Wanneroo, and citrus reaches its final month in the Chittering Valley and Perth Hills.

Tasmania

Tasmania still has no pick-your-own crops typically open in September; the state's berry and orchard season usually starts a little later in spring.

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra-region picking remains closed in September, with no crops typically listed as in season around Pialligo or the Young/Yass day-trip belt.

Northern Territory

Mango season is now running around both Darwin rural and Katherine, alongside continuing melons, pumpkins, tomatoes, citrus and passionfruit across the Top End.

In season in September near the major cities

Melbourne — Melbourne's usual pick-your-own belt, the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, is still closed for the season in September. Cherries, berries and stone fruit don't start until November, and Victoria's spring picking properly gets underway closer to summer. If you're near Melbourne in September, the honest answer is: not much is open yet — check back from November.

Sydney — Sydney has a genuine spread of things ripening in September. Citrus is in its last month at Watkins Family Farm in Laughtondale on the Hawkesbury. Berrylicious Strawberries in Thirlmere grows year-round under cover but hits its picking peak from September, and Southern Highlands Flower Farm in Penrose opens its ranunculus, anemone and poppy fields from September through October. Between the three, Sydney's picking mix turns over almost completely across the month.

Perth — Perth's Swan Valley strawberry season is properly underway in September. H&N Strawberries in Gnangara opens its rows for the new season this month, while Swan Valley Sisters in Henley Brook is picking its last citrus of the year alongside the strawberries starting elsewhere. Up in the Perth Hills, Carmel Cherry Farm in Carmel has loquats ready from September, well before its cherries later in the year.

Brisbane — Brisbane's strawberry season is in full swing in September. Chambers Flat Strawberry Farm, south of the city, has its pick-your-own rows open, and Oasis Berries in Caboolture times its picking to the local Strawberry Festival across September and October. North at Stanmore near Woodford, Curlew Ridge Flower Farm keeps its cut-flower fields open through spring for anyone wanting blooms rather than fruit.

Early September vs late September

The picking mix turns over noticeably across September. Early in the month, the last of the season's citrus is still going — Watkins Family Farm's citrus in the Hawkesbury and Swan Valley Sisters's oranges, lemons and mandarins in the Swan Valley both typically run through to the end of the month, while new-season strawberries are only just getting underway, with H&N Strawberries in Gnangara starting its Swan Valley season and the Hawkesbury and Bilpin strawberry farms restarting after winter. By late September, citrus has largely finished for the year in most regions, strawberries are properly underway, and the first spring flowers are opening, including ranunculus and anemones at Southern Highlands Flower Farm and lavender in the Adelaide Hills and Illawarra. It's a genuine handover month — pack for both citrus and strawberries if you're picking early, and expect flowers and berries to dominate by the back half.

For the months either side, see what's in season in August and what's in season in October, or check the fruit picking season calendar for Australia for the full year.