Pick your own fruit farms in New South Wales

There's no single season — NSW picking runs almost year-round across its regions. Cherries peak from November to January in Orange and the Riverina, apples run January to May in the Hawkesbury and Central West, and blueberries on the Coffs Coast pick from June to November. Strawberries are available somewhere in the state from September through to July most years.

It depends on the farm. Larger orchards with casual walk-in picking are common on weekends in season, but many smaller family farms, especially berry and cherry growers, ask you to book a picking session in advance. Check the farm's own booking policy before you drive out, particularly on weekends and public holidays.

Yes, though the choice is narrower. Blueberries are typically in season on the Coffs Coast from June to November, and some Sydney Basin growers along the Hawkesbury pick citrus such as mandarins and oranges from May to September. Most berry, cherry and stone fruit farms elsewhere in the state are closed until spring.

Bilpin & the Hawkesbury is the go-to for Sydney families, with farms picking from September through into winter depending on the grower. Orange & Central West runs a slightly later cool-climate window, typically November to May, often alongside raspberries and mixed berries at the same farms. Always confirm the current picking status before heading out.

Orange & Central West and the Riverina & South Coast are the state's main cherry districts, both typically picking from mid-November through to January, peaking in early-to-mid December. Both are a few hours' drive from Sydney, so many visitors combine cherry season with a weekend away. Call ahead, as cherry seasons are especially weather-sensitive.