The country west of Melbourne around Ballarat and the historic Harcourt orchard district is roughly 70 to 100 minutes' drive from the city, stretching further out towards the Grampians. It's known for stone fruit and cherries at Harcourt, where The Orchard Keepers (formerly Tellurian Fruit Gardens) grows cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and apples across a long season, plus a cluster of blueberry farms around Ballarat and Scotsburn. Cherries typically run November to January, stone fruit December to March, and apples on through to May. Blueberries at Thistleberry Farm and Buninyong Blueberry Farm are ready December to February, and Pick Your Own Sunflowers at Dunnstown opens its paddock in February and March. Always call ahead to confirm what's picking, as frost and heat can shift these dates from year to year.
Around Ballarat, about 90 minutes west of Melbourne
6 farms
Buninyong · Grampians & Ballarat
Eganstown · Grampians & Ballarat
Dunnstown · Grampians & Ballarat
Harcourt · Grampians & Ballarat
Scotsburn · Grampians & Ballarat
Harcourt North · Grampians & Ballarat
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
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Blackwood Orchard at Harcourt North lists a cherry season of November to January, and The Orchard Keepers at Harcourt grows cherries as part of a longer stone fruit run from December to March. Harcourt sits about 90 minutes from Melbourne, north-east of the Ballarat district. Blackwood Orchard's details haven't been reconfirmed recently, so call ahead before visiting.
Thistleberry Farm at Scotsburn and Buninyong Blueberry Farm both grow pick-your-own blueberries close to Ballarat, with Buninyong's season running late January into February and Thistleberry picking a little earlier from December. Both recommend or require booking ahead, so reserve your spot before you drive out, especially on weekends when the bushes are at their best.
Pick Your Own Sunflowers at Dunnstown opens its paddock from February into March, once the flowers reach full bloom. Booking ahead is recommended, since sunflower fields open for a short window and can sell out on good-weather weekends. Bloom timing shifts year to year with rainfall and heat, so check the farm's socials before you head out.
Summer is the highlight, when cherries, stone fruit and blueberries overlap from December through February around Harcourt, Scotsburn and Buninyong. Sunflowers extend the season into March at Dunnstown, and apples at Harcourt run on through to May. Whichever crop you're chasing, ring ahead, since Victoria's changeable summer weather can bring a season forward or cut it short.
Exact pricing isn't published for most of these farms, but pick-your-own here is typically charged by the kilogram at the orchard gate, with sunflower picking priced per stem or bunch. Booking fees may apply where booking is required, such as at Thistleberry Farm and Buninyong Blueberry Farm. Call the farm directly to confirm current prices before you visit.