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
7 farms
Thirlmere · Sydney Basin
Bilpin · Sydney Basin
Laughtondale · Sydney Basin
Laughtondale · Sydney Basin
Canoelands · Sydney Basin
Thirlmere · Sydney Basin
Cawdor · Sydney Basin
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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.