Pick-Your-Own Cherries and Stonefruit

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE CHERRY SEASON OCCURS IN THE FIRST FULL WEEKEND OF DECEMBER, AT THE NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL IN YOUNG.

PICK-YOUR-OWN CHERRIES & STONEFRUIT

Come to the Hilltops Region for a Pick-Your-Own Cherry experience or simply to purchase some delicious fruit.

The Hilltops Region’s climate and rich soils provide all the essentials required for the growing and ripening of stonefruits. While cherries are the main fruit produced in the region, we grow plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots, figs, strawberries and olives. Our trees produce ripening fruit throughout summer. The cherry is the last tree to bloom, which typically happens in late September, and yet the first tree to fruit. From November, through to Christmas (weather dependent), cherries are available. The highlight of the cherry season occurs in the first full weekend of December, at the National Cherry Festival in Young.

Photo credit: Destination NSW

MAIN: ‘Pick Your Own’ cherries is a fun activity for the family

ABOVE: Cherry harvest

LEFT: Cherry blossoms

ALLAMBIE ORCHARD & CAFÉ

A family-owned 60 acre cherry orchard specialising in the pick-yourown (PYO) experience for over 40 years. With over 30 cherry varieties including white and sour, fresh strawberries, raspberries and plums. The café overlooks our picturesque dam, serving our own handmade cherry pie, coffee and other delights of the day. Parking onsite, dogs welcome. Check our website and Facebook for regular updates.

A: 3725 Olympic Highway, Wombat M: 0418 462 821 E: cherries@allambieorchard.com W: allambieorchard.com

TOP TIPS FOR FRUIT PICKING

• DRESS TO PICK: wear comfortable, enclosed and flat shoes.

• BRING THE ESSENTIALS: hat, sunscreen, bottled water and insect repellent.

• GET THE TECHNIQUE RIGHT: cherry picking is easy. Carefully twist the stalk of the cherry with your thumb and index finger until it comes away from the tree cleanly. Don’t pull the fruit off the stalks.

• A LITTLE TASTE-TEST IS OK: taste-testing in moderation is allowed, but beware of over-indulgence, it may lead to cherry belly.

• RIPE IS RIGHT: only pick the ripe cherries.

Cherries will only ripen whilst on the tree so be sure to leave the unripe ones behind.

• PICK AND PAY: you pay for the cherries you pick by the kilo.

• ORCHARDISTS WILL GIVE YOU A BUCKET

FOR YOUR FRESH CHERRIES: buckets usually hold a couple of kilos when full.

Buckets supplied are often lined with a fruit box liner to make it easy to transfer your cherries to a box and take home with you.

• FRESHNESS: keep your cherries in a cool place and put them in the fridge as soon as you can.

• RESPECT THE TREES: be careful not to snap branches when picking. Not only will it upset the orchardist, but it will also damage the tree and affect next year’s harvest.

BACKCREEK ORCHARD

Come out and visit us at BackCreek Orchard. We are easy to find as we are at 709 Back Creek Road. We are open for shed sales from the middle of November, through to late December, from 8am until 5pm. Come and say g’day and taste some of our beautiful cherries. We look forward to welcoming you.

A: 709 Back Creek Road, Young M: 0438 166 215 E: cherries@backcreekorchard.com.au W: backcreekorchard.com.au

STONY CREEK ORCHARDS

Situated on a high southerly ridge running adjacent with the Olympic Highway South of Young. Stony Creek Orchards is named after the historic area it is situated in known as Stony Creek. The season runs from mid November to mid December. Stony Creek grow modern varieties but still carry the popular Black Ron variety. Select weekends are offered throughout the season for U-Pick. Bookings are essential for U-Pick. Shed sales are available everyday.

A: 633 Spring Creek Road, Young M: 0438 987 933

WILLAYOUNG ORCHARD

Willayoung is a family-run orchard specialising in tree-ripened fruit. We grow around 100 varieties and claim to have the biggest selection of quality stonefruit in the district. Our range includes apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, plums, plumcots, figs & grapes. Our big, juicy apricots are a particular favourite. Willayoung honey from our own bees and our range of home-made jams are also popular.

A: 191 Willawong Street, Young T: 02 6382 2910 E: willayoung@fruitwithflavour.com.au W: fruitwithflavour.com.au

MAIN RANGE CHERRY ORCHARD

Neil & Tim Wells welcome you to their family owned and operated cherry orchard. We love to share the excitement of our cherry orchard in full production. Our pick-your-own experience is something not to be missed. The orchard is open mid November to late December. Private access to PYO by appointment. Shed door sales are also available.

A: 920 Boundary Road, Young M: 0403 708 144 or 0437 843 286 E: joanne@mainrangeorchard.com.au W: mainrangeorchard.com.au

VALLEY FRESH CHERRIES AND STONEFRUIT

Cherry season is an exciting time of year with fruit starting to be harvested early November through to 23rd December. We offer customers a quality experience when buying direct from our packing shed shop, located at the front of the building. We also offer local produce from jams through to honey, with fresh strawberries, when available. We welcome individuals and coach groups, so we look forward to seeing you!

A: 4179 Olympic Highway South, Young M: 0448 842 930 E: admin@valleyfreshcherries.com.au W: valleyfreshcherries.com.au

WOMBAT ORCHARD

Welcome to our beautiful Cherry Orchard set in the picturesque Hilltops Region at Wombat. We offer you and your family the magical experience of picking your own cherries or buying pre-packed from our shed. Wombat Orchard is only 8 years old and planted with the latest varieties selected for the export market. The Orchard is planted on the rich red fertile soil of the Hilltops area and the view and scenery is breathtaking. Follow us on Facebook for opening times.

A: 3637 Olympic Highway, Wombat M: 0407 943 063 E: wombat.orchard@bigpond.com

HILL LOCK ORCHARD AND WOMBAT HEIGHTS

PICK-YOUR-OWN CHERRIES AND STRAWBERRIES

For the first time ever, two of the most popular orchards have united, comprising of over 30,000 strawberry plants and 15 varieties of large, crunchy, sweet cherries. Take a tour around the orchard on our safari style bus and explore the wide range of wildlife including Peacocks, chickens, guineafowl, sheep, goats, llamas, and more! There is lots of fun for the whole family in the fresh, clean country air. Coaches and large groups are welcome. We are located in Wombat, 10 minutes south of Young.

Hill Lock Orchard

A: 78 Racecreek Road, Wombat

Wombat Heights

A: 77 Back Wombat Road, Wombat M: 0439 947 727 or 0481 355 543 E: info@hilltopscherries.com W: wombatheights.com.au