9 Places Close to Melbourne to Pick Cherries
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With the cold start to spring in Melbourne this year, cherry season has been a little delayed - but fear not, cherry season is now upon us and the time is
ripe to head off for a day of cherry picking.
The Australian cherry season only lasts around 100 days with these juicy, ruby red pearls in abundant supply from November through to the end of February.
They are the quintessential summer fruit and really do signal summer and the start of the holiday season - perfect anytime as a summer snack, a lunchbox treat, as part of a festive feast or made into jam to enjoy all year round.
Cherries contain no fat or cholesterol and are jam-packed with antioxidants. In other words, not only are they yummy and bursting with flavour, but they are really good for you with a heap of health benefits.
So where is the best place to go cherry picking near Melbourne? Below are 9 places that you might like to try. It's a great day out for the whole family and there's nothing like freshly picked fruit.
Please check individual websites or give them a call for confirmation of details before heading off as these may change depending on supply. Some allow you to eat as many cherries as you like, some may have food and drink to purchase on-site and others may allow you to bring a picnic. Again, check the websites for full details.
1. Big Fella Cherries
Will be open for U-Pick from Friday 24th November 2017 for you to bring your friends and family to the orchard and enjoy a day of picking and eating their delicious cherries.
Hours - Friday Saturday Sunday and Monday 10am - 5pm.
Entry - Adults $6 - Children under 12 Free
Cherries to take home are $10 per kg
Address: 38 Boundary Road, Coldstream
Phone: 0425 774 649
2. Ripe 'N' Ready Cherry Farm
The farm is open 9.00am- 5.00pm, however, to give yourself time to pick cherries the last entry into the cherry orchard is 4.00pm.
$15 Eating Fee - Eat as many as you like.
Children 5 years and under Free
Children between 5 and 12 years $5
Take home cherries are sold by weight $10 to $35 per kg
You can also buy freshly picked Cherries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Boysenberries, Marionberries, and Blueberries directly from the
farm gate . Not only that, they have a large
trout fishing dam full of Rainbow Trout where you can catch your own fish.
Address: 52 Arkwells Lane, Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula
Email:
[email protected]
3. Red Hill Cherry Farm
The Oldest Pick Your Own Cherry Farm in Victoria will be open from Saturday 25th November 2017.
Entrance fees:
13yrs – Adult: $ 10.00
5-13 years: $ 5.00
Under 5 free
Buckets and bags are provided. Please note prices may vary weekly. Pick your own to take home:
Sweet Cherries $13.00- $15.00 per kg
Morello Cherries (for cooking/juicing) $12 per kg
Pre-picked cherries and avocados are also available.
Address: 61-69 Prossors Lane, Red Hill
Phone: (03) 5989 2237 or Mobile: 0407 819 751
4. CherryHill Orchards
This beautiful Yarra Valley orchard and shop is open everyday throughout the cherry season, between 9am-5pm (excluding Christmas Day).
When you've finished picking, relax and enjoy a cherry ice cream, cherry drink or take home a slice of the Yarra Valley with a selection of gourmet cherry treats.
Tickets need to be
bought online prior to visiting. Your entry ticket includes all you can eat cherries, as well as samples of the selected cherry product range.
$12 per kg gets you as many cherries as you like to take home.
Address: 480 Queens Road, Wandin East
Phone: 1300 243 779
5. Bluehills Berry and Cherry Farm
Cherry season will begin late November or possibly early December. The farm is generally open 7 days a week from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm to early January. Orchard entry closes at 4.00pm to ensure adequate picking time before closing. Please check the
fruit report the night before you visit to make sure that they will have cherries to pick. The report will also tell you what other types of berries are available for picking.
Adult Entry Fee
$12.00 per person (Price includes all you can eat in the orchard & a picking demonstration)
Child Entry Fee (3 – 14 years old) $6.00
Children under 3 free
Cherries to take home are $12 per kg
Address: 30 Chapman Road, Silvan VIC
Phone: (03) 9737 9400
6. Cherry Haven
Cherry Haven is a family-owned u-pick cherry orchard, overlooking the picturesque Yarra Valley in Victoria, less than an hour's drive from the Melbourne CBD.
Weekends Open 9am to 5pm
Weekdays Open 10am to 4pm
No bookings required
Entry prices:
Adult $10
Children 3 - 12 $5
Under 3 free
Cherries to take home are $12 per kg
Address: 470 Queens Road (end of Cherry Lane), Wandin East
Phone: 0408 805 359
7. Naturipe Fruits
At Naturipe Fruits cherry farm, there are more than 15 cherry types across or 15 acres, including:
•white cherries, known as Rainier cherries
•red sweet cherries
•sour cherries
Entry Adult: $5
Child: $3
Cost of cherries $10 per kg
Please note that this is not an all you eat farm. There is also plenty of other ready picked fresh fruit for purchase.
Address: 638 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Bacchus Marsh VIC
Phone: 0419 340 363
8. Cherrybomb Cherries
Cherrybomb grow over 20 varieties of cherries, including some that are no longer readily available. They will be open Saturday: and Sunday 9am - 5pm
Entry Fees
Children 5 yrs and under: Free
Everyone Else: $5.00 per person
Season Pass: $15.00 per person (for when one bucket of cherries is not enough and you need to return the following week)
Take home cherry prices
•Regular/Heirloom : $7 per kg
•Premium: $10 per kg
Cherrybomb are conveniently located right next door to
Jay Berries where you can go to U-pick or purchase strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.
Address: 120 Wandin Creek Rd, Wandin East
Phone: 0411 260 465 or 0411 586 933
9. Paynes Orchards
Cherry picking is available on weekends between 10am and 3pm. Check the website for other fruit that may also be available for picking.
Entry is $5 (little children no charge) and fruit is priced per kg.
There is also plenty of wonderful fresh produce in the sheds, including seasonal varieties of Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums and Berries.
Address: 372 The Avenue of Honour, Bacchus Marsh
Phone: (03) 8676 0172
Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and don't forget the sunblock and a hat.
If you don't eat all your freshly picked cherries before getting home, here are a few tips on the best way to store them:
- Cherries must be dry when placed in the fridge. (if wet or damp this will reduce their shelf life)
- Place your cherries in an opened container. Air flow is important to improve the longevity of your cherries.
- Regularly check them for blemishes and remove those as they can spoil the other cherries
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140641 - 2023-06-13 16:57:43