Restrictions have eased once again for Melburnians, who can finally get back to visiting regional Victoria! This is perfect timing as cherry season is just beginning, so Melburnians can now visit the orchards on the Cherry Trail.
The Victorian Cherry Trail has nine cherry orchards across four cherry-growing regions in the state.
Visiting a cherry farm is the ideal way to have a great day out, buy farm fresh cherries and even pick your own at some of the orchards.
The Victorian cherry season has just begun and will continue through to early February. Peak season is the weeks leading up to Christmas, just in time for festive feasting.
Victorian Cherry Trail
YARRA VALLEY & RANGES
Big Fella Cherries, 38 Boundary Road, Coldstream VIC 3770
Pick Your Own & Buy Farm Fresh
10am–5pm Thurs to Sat (mid Nov to early Jan)
Blue Hills Berries & Cherries, 27 Parker Road, Silvan VIC 3795
Pick Your Own and Buy Farm Fresh
9am–5pm Mon to Sun (Nov to end of Jan)
www.upickberries.com.au
Chappies, 21 Parker Road, Silvan VIC 3795
Pick Your Own and Buy Farm Fresh
8.30am–5pm Mon to Sun (mid Nov to end Jan)
www.chappies.com.au
CherryHill Orchards, 474 Queens Road, Wandin East VIC 3139
Pick Your Own and Buy Farm Fresh
9am–5pm Mon to Sun (mid Nov to early Jan)
www.cherryhill.com.au
Wandin Valley Farms, 47 Hunter Road, Wandin North 3139
Buy Farm Fresh
9am–5pm Mon to Sun (early Nov to mid Jan)
www.wandinvalleyfarms.com.au
Yarra Valley Cherries, 585 Victoria Road, Seville VIC 3139
Buy Farm Fresh
8.30am–5.30pm Mon to Sun (mid Nov to 24 Dec)
www.yarravalleycherries.com.au
UPPER GOULBURN VALLEY
Koala Cherries, 6547 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck VIC 3719
Buy Farm Fresh
9am–5pm Mon to Sun (Nov to Jan)
www.koalacherries.com.au
MACEDON RANGES
Naturipe Fruits, 638 Bacchus Marsh Road, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340
Pick Your Own and Buy Farm Fresh
9am–5pm Mon to Sun (Nov to early Feb)
www.naturipe.com.au
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Red Hill Cherry Farm, 69 Prossors Lane, Red Hill VIC 3937
Pick Your Own and Buy Farm Fresh
Open late Nov to early Jan (check website)
www.redhill-cherryfarm.com.au
The Victorian Cherry Trail brochure is available to download on the Victorian Cherry Association website here
It is always worth checking the websites or contacting the orchard before visiting to check availability and opening times as weather etc. can affect the crop.
Given that cherries are fairly low calorie, contain 40% of recommended daily vitamin C and are packed full of antioxidants, they are a healthy choice as a snack on their own and are the perfect summer recipe ingredient.
The main Cherry varieties in Victoria are the Merchant, Bing, Stella, Regina, Lapin, Sweet Georgia, Sweetheart and Van cherries. With many different cherry varieties that span the cherry season, the cherry you eat in November won’t be the same as the one you eat in January – all the more reason to visit orchards on the Cherry Trail and support local businesses throughout the season!
Images: Yarra Valley Cherries