In October, strawberries, peaches and nectarines are picking in Sydney Basin. We list 12 farms across this region — browse the listings below and call ahead to confirm what's ripe before you travel.
The Sydney Basin covers the ring of rural pockets around the city, from the Hawkesbury River farms out to Thirlmere and Camden, most within about 45 minutes to an hour and a half of the Sydney CBD. Citrus is the strongest theme here, with mandarins, oranges, lemons and limes picked through winter along the river at Laughtondale and Sackville. Berrylicious Strawberries at Thirlmere runs a greenhouse operation that picks close to year-round, peaking September to June, while Cedar Creek Orchard covers apples, stone fruit and persimmons across summer and autumn. Canoelands Orchard adds blood plums in spring. Because so many of these farms sit on working properties with limited parking and picking blocks, most ask you to book a session rather than just turn up, so check ahead before the drive.
Around the Sydney basin
| Farm | Status | Typical season | Entry / price | Booking | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berrylicious Strawberries | In season | year-round (greenhouse), peak Sep-Jun | $22 adult (eat as much as you want), $11 child, under 2s free; $25/kg to take home | Booking required | Yes |
| Canoelands Orchard | In season | Oct-mid Jan | $8 adult, $5 child (3-15), family $25, under 3s free; PYO $6/kg | Booking required | Yes |
| Cedar Creek Orchard | In season | Jan-May; Nov-Jan | From $4.50/kg | Booking required | Yes |
| Luddenham Christmas Tree Farm | In season soon | Late Nov-late Dec | $50 (4ft and under) to $400 (11ft); tree stands $65-$85 (farm's published list, Aug 2026) | No booking needed | — |
| Sydney Christmas Tree Farm | In season soon | Late Nov-Dec | — | Booking required | — |
| Tomalong Christmas Tree Farm | In season soon | Late Nov-Christmas | Paddock trees $175; shed trees $100-$250+ | — | — |
| Top Forty Orchard | In season soon | Late Nov-Dec | — | — | — |
| Aviani Persimmon Farm | Closed for season | April to early June | Adults ~$10-12.50, kids ~$7-8.50; fruit ~$7.50/kg | Booking required | Yes |
| Ford's Farm | Closed for season | Late May-early Jun | $20 per car entry (covers the whole family); mandarins, limes, lemons and oranges $5/kg; cumquats $12/kg | Booking required | Yes |
| The Persimmon Place | Closed for season | May-early June | Pick-your-own entry $14.50/adult (includes parking, reusable picking bag, snip rental, fruit sample); $5.00 for children 5-11; under 4 free but must be added to booking; picked fruit $8.00/kg. | Booking required | Yes |
| Watkins Family Farm | Closed for season | May-Sep | Minimum $12.50 per bucket; $2 per bag animal feed | No booking needed | Yes |
| Camden Valley Farm | Unconfirmed · call ahead | seasonal, summer | Call ahead | — | Yes |
12 farms
Thirlmere · Sydney Basin
Canoelands · Sydney Basin
Thirlmere · Sydney Basin
Luddenham · Sydney Basin
Duffys Forest · Sydney Basin
Kenthurst · Sydney Basin
Oakdale · Sydney Basin
Galston · Sydney Basin
Laughtondale · Sydney Basin
Galston · Sydney Basin
Laughtondale · Sydney Basin
Cawdor · Sydney Basin
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
| Farm | Experience | Access | Status | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bon Rean Highlands | Meet the animals & Hands-on workshops | Booking required | Currently offered | Sydney Basin, NSW |
| Calmsley Hill City Farm | Meet the animals, Tractor & wagon rides & Seasonal events & open days | Booking required | Currently offered | Sydney Basin, NSW |
| Mowbray Park FarmStay | Meet the animals & Stay on the farm | Booking required | Currently offered | Sydney Basin, NSW |
| Sydney Oyster Farm Tours | Farm tours | Booking required | Currently offered | Sydney Basin, NSW |
Theresa Park · Sydney Basin
Pet and feed Highland cattle; Paint and Pat sessions
Abbotsbury · Sydney Basin
animal patting; cow milking; working dogs; sheep shearing; stock whip; tractor ride
Picton · Sydney Basin
feed donkey, goats, chickens and nursery animals; whip cracking; boomerang; horse/pony activities
Brooklyn · Sydney Basin
Boat visit to operating oyster leases; cultivation interpretation; shucking and 12-oyster tasting
Choose a crop and location. We will email you when local farms begin opening.
Berrylicious Strawberries in Thirlmere runs pick-your-own strawberries close to year-round in its greenhouses, with peak picking from September to June. It offers an eat-as-you-pick entry option as well as pay-by-weight for produce to take home. Booking is required, so reserve a session before you drive out.
Citrus farms along the Hawkesbury River, including Ford's Farm, Watkins Family Farm and Anderson Farm, typically pick mandarins, oranges, lemons and limes from May through to September, peaking June and July. Exact opening dates shift year to year with the harvest, so confirm before visiting.
There's something on for most of the year: citrus through winter, apples and stone fruit from spring into autumn at Cedar Creek and Canoelands, and strawberries almost year-round at Thirlmere. For the widest choice in one trip, spring and early summer overlap several crops at once.
Entry and picking fees vary by farm. Ford's Farm charges a $5 car entry plus $5/kg for most citrus, Canoelands Orchard charges an $8 adult/$5 child entry plus $6/kg, and Berrylicious Strawberries charges $22 adult for eat-as-you-pick entry. All prices are as reported by the farms and can change, so confirm when booking.
