Fruit picking in Gippsland

The Berry Dairy at Maffra grows pick-your-own strawberries across five spray-free patches and typically picks from October through to May, alongside its petting zoo and cafe. Macca's Farm at Glen Forbes runs a similar September-to-April strawberry season further west. Both close over winter, so call ahead to check picking has reopened for the season before you drive out.

Sunny Creek Organic Fruit & Berry Farm at Trafalgar South grows an unusually wide range — raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, gooseberries and currants — typically picking from December to April. Waterwheel Orchards near Boolarra South also grows raspberries and blackberries, though its current details are unconfirmed, so it's worth calling ahead to check it's open.

Sherwood Park Orchard at Bunyip is the region's dedicated apple picking farm, typically open from February through to around the Queen's Birthday weekend in June. Sunny Creek Organic Fruit & Berry Farm also grows apples as part of its wider berry and nut season, roughly February to April. Ring ahead to check the orchard is open before making the trip.

Summer through to early autumn, roughly December to April, is when the most farms overlap: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries are all typically ripe together at Sunny Creek and the region's berry farms. If apples are your goal, aim for February to May instead, when Sherwood Park Orchard's crop is at its best. Confirm by phone, as Gippsland's weather can bring dates forward or back.

Prices vary by farm. The Berry Dairy charges $3 entry (free under five) plus $6-$20 a punnet, while Sunny Creek charges a $12 adult/$8 child farm-gate entry and $20/kg for pick-your-own berries. Sherwood Park Orchard's apples are $4/kg, dropping to $3/kg for over 10kg. Always check current pricing when you call to confirm the farm is open.