Where to go fruit picking in NSW

It’s not just fruit picking in Orange that is a popular pastime – NSW plays host to an array of fruit picking experiences all year round.

A person wearing a red and white striped shirt, holding a wicker bowl of cherries.

Photo: NRMA

There’s nothing like fresh farm-sourced produce. With a growing number of pick-your-own-fruit experiences available across New South Wales, fruit picking is the perfect road trip activity.

Always check the weather before setting out – and don’t forget to wear solid closed-in shoes, a hat and take drinking water. Lastly, make sure to pack a box, bag or basket for your bounty – which you can either pay for at a set cost per kilogram, per bag, or as an entry fee when you enter the farm depending on what the farm prefers. Some orchards offer reduced or free entry fees for children.

Spring

Hawkesbury

In the Hawkesbury region, Canoelands Orchard begin their stone fruit season in mid-spring with yellow nectarines.

A close up of two ripe nectarine fruit on a sunny, leafy branch, with trees and blue sky in the background.

Credit: @canoelandsorchard on Instagram

Macarthur

A good wet weather option, Berrylicious Strawberries in Thirlmere grows their fruit undercover and offer pick-your-own days via their Facebook page, while Cedar Creek Orchard offer pick-your-own days for yellow nectarines and peaches as the weather warms up.

Central Coast

In late spring, Misty Valley Farm and The Giving Farm offer blueberry events where you can fill your basket up based on how the fruit is ripening at the time.

A boy in a blue sunhat and a girl in a dress stand in a grassy path between trees at Misty Valley orchard, holding a half-full buckets of blueberries.

Credit: @misty_valley_farm on Instagram

Bilpin

A new addition to the farm, Bilpin Fruit Bowl offers strawberry picking on select weekends in its brand new strawberry hothouses.

Northern Rivers

Blueberry Fields hosts occasional community-focused open days with pick-your-own blueberries at the farm in the Byron hinterland.

Autumn

Bilpin

When the leaves start to turn, it’s apple-picking time. Head to Bilpin for the best crop at TNT Produce, Bilpin Springs Orchard, and Pine Crest Orchard, with most farms open until late May/early June.

Clusters of green apples along a leafy branch, seen from below under a blue sky.

Credit: @pinecrest_orchard on Instagram

Central Coast

In March and April, The Giving Farm offers pick-your-own gooseberries, raspberries and sunflowers. As the name suggests, this isn’t any ordinary farm. A key part of what they do on this beautiful family farm is take in native animals and livestock that need to be cared for. There are also sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and geese – and you can enjoy an animal cuddle and pat session in tandem with your fruit picking experience.

A patch of purple, white and yellow daffodil flowers in the foreground, as the sun sets behind trees in the distance.

Credit: @thegivingfarmau on Instagram

Macarthur

At Cedar Creek Orchards, persimmons at their peak can be picked from April to May. With two varieties to choose from – Makaewa Jiro (Jiro) and Fuyu – this is an opportunity to have your pick of one the lesser-known fruits grown in this country.

A woman in a tan sunhat with long dark hair reaches up to a pick a persimmon fruit from a tree branch on a sunny day.

Credit: @ebonyandlace on Instagram

Winter

Hawkesbury

When the weather turns chilly, head through Wisemans Ferry for citrus such as mandarins, oranges, limes and lemons at Ford’s Farm and Watkins Family Farm.

Central Coast

Winter is time for navel oranges on the coast, with Wyuna Farms and Pick Your Own Dooralong both open on selected weekends.

Year-round

Ricardoes in Port Macquarie has pick-your-own tomatoes and strawberries available all seasons, along with free farm tours daily.

A blackboard sign saying ‘Best pick, far end of the shed’ is leaned up against a disappearing row of white poles, with strawberry plants growing up them.

Credit: @ricardoestomatoes on Instagram

Summer

Young

Blooming in November and fruiting in December, juicy cherries can be picked in the Hilltops Region, comprising Young, Boorowa, Harden and Jugiong. Young hosts the National Cherry Festival just before Christmas, and is considered the cherry capital of Australia. Book your spot to pick your own in the region.

Two couples sit and drink out of cans on the grass with a bushy garden on a sunny day during the National Cherry Festival.

Credit: @hilltopsregion on Instagram

Orange

Before it was known for wine, Orange was a prime growing area for cherries. A number of local orchards open each summer for pick-your-own visits, listed on the local tourism page. Additionally, you can pick berries all summer at Huntley Berry Farm, located just near Orange airport.

A young boy puts strawberries in a white basket while crouched on the ground. The words ‘BYO Bucket’ are written over the photo in white.

Credit: @huntleyberryfarm on Instagram

Bilpin

Come January, stone fruit, such as peaches and nectarines, are available at orchards along Bells Line of Road towards the Blue Mountains. The first apples of the season are ripe for picking in late January/early February, with pears coming into fruit late summer at Bilpin Springs Orchard.

A homemade roadside sign with two sections, the top says Open in a 70s-style font, and below a second sign offers a ‘Fruit info line 4567 1294’ for Bilpin Springs Orchard.

Credit: @bilpinspringsorchard on Instagram

Central Coast

Valencia oranges dominate the summer months; pick your own on selected weekends at Pick Your Own Oranges Dooralong or at Wyuna Farms on the Central Coast – which has over 6000 orange trees across the 50-acre property.

Oranges hanging on branches with green leaves and blue sky peeking through, as seen from below and up into the tree.