Cherryhill Orchards in the Yarra Valley
Heading towards the Christmas season and the ineviatable hype that will bring, our family is focussing on simple pleasures right now. One such simple pleasure that we enjoyed this weekend was cherry picking at the Cherryhill Orchards in Victoria’s sublime Yarra Valley. A new experience for all of us it was an outing universally loved by the adults and children in our party.
Cherryhill Orchards in the stunning Yarra Valley
Cherryhill Orchards in the Yarra Valley
Guests at the Cherryhill Orchards pay an entry fee ($30) for a family. Within the rows of cherry trees family members are free to pick and eat as many cherries as they like. Our little troupe of young cousins meandered through the orchard, intermittently carrying and dropping their cherry collection buckets. Little faces and hands became sticky with cherry juice. Our youngest cherry pickers were content to grab at low lying fruit while our family’s climbing monkey preferred to climb each tree and pick the cherries at the top.
Our resident monkey hard at work in the Cherryhill Orchards
After our cherry picking we purchased our surplus picked cherries ($10 a kilo) and rewarded ourselves with a delicious cherry ice-cream.
What we loved about our visit to Cherry Hill Orchards.
- There were no time pressures. Once we had arrived we were free to meander at will in the beautiful country orchard.
- The staff! I am not sure how Cherryhill Orchards are recruiting their staff but they were lovely, charming and helpful. The kids were instructed gently on how to discern which cherries were ripe. One staff member looked after my toddler so I could use the bathroom, and another joined us just for company as we ate our ice-creams.
- The bounty – we are very much looking forward to making cherry pie at home this week.
Cherryhill Orchards in the Yarra Valley
Some suggestions to make the most of a visit to Cherryhill Orchards.
- Take a picnic – there are picnic tables on site and being prepared to lunch there will allow you to spend more time in the beautiful surrounds.
- Bring hats and sunscreen for all cherry pickers.
- Picking cherries is thirsty work. Come prepared with drink bottles for the family.
Cherryhill Orchards are a one hour drive from Melbourne in Wandin East.
Head past Lilydale on the Maroondah Highway and take the turn off to Wharburton. The Cherryhill Orchards are located at 474 Queens Road Wandin East. The Orchards are open from now (early November) until the end of the season (if you are thinking of visiting later in January you should call 1300 243 779 to check availability. Visitors are welcome from 9-5 seven days a week with some twilight picking hours in December.
Yum, I love cherries. Looks like good fun!
Those look delicious. I’m amazed at how low to the ground the branches are – perfect for kids picking!
We’re preparing for winter here in the U.S., so it’s fun to see a warm weather holiday activity from another part of the world.
One of the things I love about travel blogging and the social media community is the reminders of the different seasons families are experiencing simultaneously.
No way! I didn’t know cherry picking was a thing. Love your pictures, too.
Well Beth, it was first for us but I think we are hooked. Thanks, glad you like the pictures.
This looks like so much fun for families. We’ve been strawberry & blueberry picking, but never cherries. Would love to do this!
Strawberry and blueberry picking are on my list for later in the season. I loved this activity so much I decided I want to get those kids picking fruit every weekend!
Hi Danielle, nice post! I’m visiting melbourne in early nov (around the 5th), so I assume the cherries are ready to be picked by then? I was in doubt since many said the cherry season only starts in late Nov for Victoria region but your post brings back my optimism 🙂
We were there right at the beginning of the season. Give the orchard a call to make sure it’s open before you head out in late November. Enjoy Victoria!