Pick your own fruit farms in South Australia

Most of South Australia's picking happens spring through autumn. Cherries in the Adelaide Hills typically run mid-November to mid-January, strawberries from around October or November through to April at farms like Beerenberg and Harvest the Fleurieu, and apples from late February to May. Very little is open in July, so it's a good time to plan ahead for the next season.

It depends on the farm. Beerenberg Farm and several Adelaide Hills cherry orchards allow casual walk-in picking, while others such as Harben Vale Cherries, Glen Ewin Estate and Atkins Farm recommend or require a booking, particularly in peak season weekends. Booking policies can change through the year, so check the farm's website or call before you drive out.

The Adelaide Hills is South Australia's main cherry district, with orchards clustered around Forest Range, Balhannah, Ashton, Charleston and Birdwood, typically picking from mid-November through to mid-January and peaking around Christmas and New Year. Book early, as cherry seasons are short and weather-dependent.

Very little. South Australia's cherry, apple and strawberry farms are all out of season by July, with the Adelaide Hills picking calendar concentrated from spring through to autumn. It's a quiet stretch for u-pick statewide, so use the time to check farm pages for when bookings open for the next cherry or strawberry season.

Beerenberg Farm at Hahndorf in the Adelaide Hills is South Australia's best-known strawberry patch, typically open from November through to April. On the Fleurieu Peninsula, Harvest the Fleurieu at Mount Compass runs a similarly long October-to-May season. Both are within about an hour of the Adelaide CBD, making them straightforward day trips in season.

Pricing varies by farm and crop. Entry fees at Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu orchards typically run $5–$8 per adult — Beerenberg Farm and Harvest the Fleurieu both charge $5 entry (children under 12 free), while Harben Vale Cherries charges $8 for adults and $4 for children. Fruit is then priced by weight: strawberries come in at $12–$13.50/kg (Harvest the Fleurieu $12/kg, Beerenberg $13.50/kg), and pears at Paracombe Premium Perry are $4/kg. A family picking a kilogram or two of strawberries should budget around $30–$50 all up. Call ahead to confirm current pricing, as rates can change through the season.