Skip to main content
Pick Your Own Farms

Fruit picking near Mackay & the Whitsundays

In July, strawberries and blueberries are picking in Mackay & Whitsundays. We list 2 farms across this region — browse the listings below and call ahead to confirm what's ripe before you travel.

Central Queensland's picking season runs on the region's mild dry winter rather than a southern-style summer. Ballantyne's Strawberry Farm at Mount Charlton has historically opened for winter strawberries (roughly July–September) and blueberries in spring, though pricing and hours haven't been reconfirmed since a change of ownership — call ahead before visiting. At North Eton, Brightly Sunflowers runs a handful of ticketed spring events over one or two weekends each October, priced at $2 per stem plus a separate entry ticket, rather than staying open through the season.

Around Mackay and the Whitsundays on the Central Queensland coast

Compare farms in this region

Farms compared by picking status, typical season, price, booking and whether they suit kids.
Farm Status Typical season Entry / price Booking Kids
Ballantyne's Strawberry Farm In season Roughly July to September (a few sources say June-September), tied to school holidays; exact opening date each year depends on plant growth - recommended to call ahead; October to January Historical (pre-2024 ownership change) reports: ~$5/person entry plus punnet fill fee, roughly $10 for a large/500g punnet and $5 for each additional punnet. Not reconfirmed under the current owners - contact the farm directly for current prices. — Yes
Brightly Sunflowers In season Spring (planted June/July, flowering and events held around October each year) $2.00 per stem, paid on exit; separate ticketed entry fee applies per event (booked via EventBookings) on top of the per-stem picking cost. Visitors bring their own scissors/secateurs and a bucket or basket. Booking required Yes

Open or in season now in this region

  • Ballantyne's Strawberry Farm Mount Charlton · Strawberries View
  • Brightly Sunflowers North Eton · Sunflowers View

Farms in this region

2 farms

In season Last verified 18 Jul 2026

Ballantyne's Strawberry Farm

Mount Charlton · Mackay & Whitsundays

Season
Roughly July to September (a few sources say June-September), tied to school holidays; exact opening date each year depends on plant growth - recommended to call ahead; October to January
Price
Historical (pre-2024 ownership change) reports: ~$5/person entry plus punnet fill fee, roughly $10 for a large/500g punnet and $5 for each additional punnet. Not reconfirmed under the current owners - contact the farm directly for current prices.
Open
Historically 8am-4pm during the winter/strawberry season; some sources say 7 days a week, an older blog says Wednesday-Sunday. Opening date depends on plant growth each year - call ahead.
View farm
DirectionsCall
In season Last verified 18 Jul 2026

Brightly Sunflowers

North Eton · Mackay & Whitsundays

Season
Spring (planted June/July, flowering and events held around October each year)
Price
$2.00 per stem, paid on exit; separate ticketed entry fee applies per event (booked via EventBookings) on top of the per-stem picking cost. Visitors bring their own scissors/secateurs and a bucket or basket.
Open
Not open year-round or for casual drop-in visits -- operates as a handful of ticketed seasonal events (e.g. 'Pick Your Own' no-frills sessions, 'Sunflower Family Day', 'Sunflower Market Day') held over one or two spring weekends (historically around October), booked via EventBookings.
Booking
Booking required
View farm
Directions

Farm experiences in this region

Farms in Mackay & Whitsundays

View farm list

3 farms

Nearby regions

Brisbane & South-East Queensland 24 farms Strawberries · Sunflowers · Flowers Bundaberg & Wide Bay 9 farms Strawberries Sunshine Coast 10 farms Strawberries · Flowers · Sunflowers Far North Queensland 9 farms Blueberries · Raspberries · Blackberries Granite Belt 5 farms Strawberries · Apples · Peaches

Plan your day in Mackay & Whitsundays

Last verified 21 Jul 2026. We check listings against farms' own sources and re-verify regularly. How we verify Report a change

Frequently asked questions

Where can I pick strawberries near Mackay?

Ballantyne's Strawberry Farm at Mount Charlton has historically run a winter pick-your-own strawberry season, roughly July to September, tied to school holidays. The farm changed ownership recently and current pricing hasn't been reconfirmed, so call ahead before you drive out.

When can you pick sunflowers near Mackay?

Brightly Sunflowers at North Eton runs ticketed sunflower-picking events over one or two spring weekends, historically around October, priced at $2 per stem plus a separate entry ticket booked through EventBookings. It isn't open for casual drop-in visits outside those event dates.

Is fruit picking near Mackay open all year?

No — both listed farms run seasonal windows rather than year-round opening: strawberries and blueberries at Ballantyne's follow the dry-season winter-to-spring calendar typical of Central Queensland, and Brightly Sunflowers only opens for a couple of ticketed weekends each spring.