Peach picking is a summer activity across most of Australia, typically running from November to February and peaking around December and January. Queensland's Granite Belt around Stanthorpe is usually first off the mark, with orchards picking from November and hitting their peak in December. NSW's Hawkesbury-Bilpin district and the Illawarra/Southern Highlands run a similar November-to-February window, and Victoria's Yarra Valley and Bacchus Marsh districts follow close behind through December to February, peaking in January. Perth Hills orchards in WA are on much the same summer schedule. Canberra's Pialligo district and Tasmania's small stone fruit growers pick later, mostly in January and February, reflecting cooler local conditions and fewer commercial orchards. Picking is usually pay-for-what-you-pick, sometimes with a small entry or bucket-rental fee. Expect roughly $4.50 to $8 a kilogram for fruit, with entry fees, where charged, typically $5 to $8 per adult.
Swipe to see all months. Peak and available windows are typical only and shift with the weather.
| State | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Peak | Available | Available | Peak | Peak | |||||||
| Victoria | Peak | Available | Available | |||||||||
| Queensland | Available | Available | Available | Peak | ||||||||
| Western Australia | Peak | Peak | Available | Available | ||||||||
| Tasmania | Peak | Available | Available | |||||||||
| Australian Capital Territory | Peak | Available |
Bilpin · Bilpin & the Hawkesbury
Bilpin · Sydney Basin
Young · Riverina & South Coast
Borenore · Orange & Central West
Wallington · Geelong & the Bellarine
Woori Yallock · Dandenong Ranges
Wandin North · Dandenong Ranges
Harcourt · Grampians & Ballarat
Pozieres · Granite Belt
Walliston · Perth Hills
Carmel · Perth Hills
Donnybrook · South West WA
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
Sorell (Tasman Peninsula gateway) · Hobart & the Huon Valley
Sorell · Hobart & the Huon Valley
Pialligo · Canberra Region
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
A ripe peach gives slightly to gentle thumb pressure near the stem and separates from the branch with a light twist rather than a tug — if you have to pull hard, it's not ready. Colour is a rough guide only; blush varies by variety, so smell and softness matter more. Peaches bruise easily, so carry them in a single layer rather than a deep bucket. They keep a few days at room temperature or about a week refrigerated, and ripen further off the tree if picked slightly firm.
Choose a crop and location. We will email you when local farms begin opening.
Peach picking generally runs from November to February, with most regions peaking in December or January. Queensland's Granite Belt starts earliest, from November, followed closely by NSW's Hawkesbury-Bilpin district and Victoria's Yarra Valley and Bacchus Marsh areas through December and January. Canberra and Tasmania's smaller orchards tend to pick later, into January and February. Always check with the farm before you drive, as a hot spell can bring the season forward.
Most orchards charge for fruit by weight rather than a flat entry fee, with prices commonly around $4.50 to $8 a kilogram depending on the farm and how far into the season you visit. Some farms add a small entry charge or bucket rental, often around $5 to $8 per adult, with children cheaper or free. Cash and EFTPOS are both common, but it pays to check before you go.
Yes. The Hawkesbury-Bilpin district, about an hour to 90 minutes from the Sydney CBD, has several orchards picking peaches from November into the new year, and Canoelands Orchard further north also grows peaches alongside plums. The Illawarra and Southern Highlands, roughly an hour south, are another option through the same summer window. Call ahead, as availability shifts week to week.
Yes, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, under 90 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, have orchards picking peaches from December through to February. Bacchus Marsh, on the western side of the city, offers a similar summer stone fruit season. Both regions grow peaches alongside nectarines, plums and apricots, so it's worth asking what else is ripe on the day.
Ripe peaches give slightly under gentle thumb pressure near the stem and come away from the branch with a light twist, not a hard pull. Fragrance is a good sign too — a ripe peach usually smells sweet close up. Firmer fruit will keep ripening for a day or two at home, so if in doubt, pick a little on the firm side rather than overripe.