Victorian Cherry Trail
There's nothing more delicious than a sweet plump juicy cherry. The best way to eat them is straight off the tree. Enjoy a fantastic day out with your family or friends on the 'Victorian Cherry Trail'.
The trail covers Yarra Valley & Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, Goulburn Valley and the Macedon Ranges.
The Victorian cherry season usually begins in the first or second week of November and continues until early February. Peak season is in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Cherries are a wonderful source of antioxidants, fibre, potassium and vitamin C, which are essential for good health. Just one serve of cherries (150g) provides more than 60% of our daily needs of Vitamin C.
Tips for Picking, Selecting & Storing Cherries
- Choose cherries with fresh green stems attached.
- Look for plump, firm, bright and shiny cherries.
- Once picked, cherries do not ripen further, so consume within four days of purchase.
- Leave the stems on and store in the fridge loosely packed in an airtight container or plastic bag.
- Cherries can be frozen for up to six months.
- Check availability of cherries with the business before you visit as supplies can be affected by weather conditions.
- Also check opening times as these may be affected by the availability of cherries and public holidays.
- Wear comfortable clothing such as flat closed toe shoes, a light shirt and hat and remember the sunscreen!
The location of the farms is shown below:
Upper Goulburn Valley
1. KOALA CHERRIES
Location: 6547 Maroondah Highway, Yarck
Phone: (03) 5773 4250
Open: 9.00am - 5.00pm 7 days from November to January (closed Christmas Day and New Year Day)
Visit our shed door shop and packhouse for premium cherry sales and tastings, straight from the orchard. Select from our range of locally produced ice cream, liqueur, preserves and sauces. Enjoy a range of delectable cherry filled treats and barista made coffee.
Yarra Valley & Ranges
2. BIG FELLA CHERRIES
Location: 38 Boundary Road, Coldstream
Phone: 0425 774 649
Open 10.00am - 5.00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday from mid November to early January (closed Christmas Day)
Visit our picturesque Yarra Valley orchard to experience the joy of harvesting your own delicious Big Fella cherries straight from the trees. Enjoy the spoils of superior cherries just as nature intended.
3. BLUE HILLS BERRIES AND CHERRIES
Location: 27 Parker Road, Silvan
Phone: (03) 9737 9400
Open: 9.00am - 5.00pm 7 days from mid November to mid January. (Closed Christmas Day & New Years Day)
Visit Blue Hills to enjoy the experience of picking your own sweet, ripe cherries at 2 locations or head to our farmgate shop to purchase prepacked fresh cherries and a selection of seasonal berries. A Great Day Out for Everyone!
4. CHAPPIES U-PICK
Permanently closed.
5. CHERRYHILL ORCHARDS
Location: 474 Queens Road, Wandin
Phone: 1300 243 779
Open: 9.00am - 5.00pm 7 days from mid November to early January (closed Christmas Day)
Cherryhill Orchards is Australia's largest pick your own cherry orchard. We are located in the beautiful Yarra Valley and have over 13,000 trees full of sweet, juicy cherries! As well as cherries come and enjoy our famous cherry ice cream and our range of delicious cherry beverages.
6. OLD OAK ORCHARD
Location: 77 Monbulk-Seville Road, Wandin East
Phone: (03) 5964 2888
Open: 9.00am - 5.00pm Thursday to Sunday from mid November to early January (closed Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Old Oak Orchard has produced summer fruits of the Yarra Valley since 1971. Sample and purchase our big and juicy premium fresh cherries and pick up some strawberries, raspberries and blackberries at the same time!
7.. THE CHERRY BOYS
No longer offer 'Rent a tree' where they maintain the tree for you and you can pop out to pick your cherries from your very own tree when they're ready.
8.THE CHERRY BRANCH
Permanently closed
9. WANDIN VALLEY FARMS
Location: 47 Hunter Rd, Wandin North
Phone: (03) 5964 4669
Open: 9.00am - 5.00pm from early November to mid January (closed Christmas Day and New Years Day)
Whilst enjoying the beautiful surrounds of the Yarra Valley, why not drop in to Wandin Valley Farms, where you can purchase pre-packed cherries to take home and enjoy! Premium quality and seconds available
10. YARRA VALLEY CHERRIES
Location: 585 Victoria Road, Seville
Phone: (03) 5964 4685
Open: 8.30 - 5 00pm 7 days from mid November to 5 January (closed Christmas Day)
We are a boutique producer of premium cherries located in the beautiful Upper Yarra Valley. Our unique orchard terroir produces some of the finest cherries in Victoria - all grown, picked, graded and packed on our orchard
Macedon Ranges
11. MT GISBORNE CHERRIES
Location: 425 Mt Gisborne Road, Gisborne
Phone: (03) 5428 8044
Open: 8.30am - 6.00pm 7 Days in December (closed Christmas Day) and Wednesday to Sunday in January (when fruit is in season)
Visit us in the beautiful Macedon Ranges amongst many other local attractions only 45 minutes from Melbourne. We grow over 15 varieties of cherries, including red, black and white, which we offer for sale at the farm gate
12. Naturipe Fruits
Location: 638 Bacchus Marsh Road, Bacchus Marsh
Phone: 0419 340 363
Open: 9am - 5.00.pm 7 days from October to May (closed Christmas Day)
Located in the historic Avenue of Honour 45 minutes west of Melbourne, we have U-Pick and freshly picked cherries (including white cherries, sour cherries and sweet cherries), strawberries, peaches, nectarines and apples!
Mornington Peninsula
13. Red Hill Cherry Farm (Permanently closed)
13A. Ripe N Ready Cherry Farm
Location: 52 Arkwells Lane, Red Hill
Phone: (03) 5989 2578
Open: The farm opening hours are usually 9 am to 5 pm, with last entry to cherry picking at 4 pm. Closed Christmas Day. If it is busy we may close entry to u-pick early. We don't take bookings, just arrive at our farm shop for entry to the orchard.
If you want to wander through the dappled shade of our cherry orchard picking your own fruit and enjoying farm-fresh produce then come and visit our sustainably managed farm on the Mornington Peninsula. With an excellent range of seasonal fruits, free-range eggs, and honey you will find plenty to fill your larder with
Web Links
→ Locations for Pick Your Own Fruit Farms in Melbourne and Victoria
→ www.cherries.org.au
→ Cherry Recipes
