Cherry Picking at CherryHill Orchards: A Perfect Summer Outing
Every spring I start watching for the CherryHill Orchards blossoms to know cherry season isn’t far off, and every November I’m back in the Yarra Valley with an empty bucket and good intentions. Cherry picking is one of the easiest, most rewarding day trips you can do from Melbourne, and CherryHill makes it simple even if you’ve never picked your own fruit before.
Related reading: if you’re planning your visit around the blossoms rather than the fruit, see our separate guide to the CherryHill Orchards Blossom Festival.
When Cherry Picking Season Opens for 2026/27
CherryHill has confirmed dates for both orchards this season:
- Coldstream Orchard: cherry picking runs from 9 November to 31 December 2026
- Wandin East Orchard: cherry picking runs from 25 November 2026 to 9 January 2027
Tickets are now on sale for both orchards. You’ll book a two-hour picking timeslot within the orchard’s opening hours (typically 10am–5pm), so choose an early slot if you’d rather avoid the midday heat. Head to CherryHill’s location-select page to pick your orchard and session. Cherry season always depends on the weather, so treat these dates as a strong guide rather than a guarantee — CherryHill has pushed back opening in past years when the fruit needed longer to ripen.
Seniors in Melbourne readers: use the code SMCherry10 at checkout for 10% off your booking.
Enjoy the cherry blossoms
Before the fruit is ready, CherryHill’s spring calendar kicks off with Bloom & Graze at Coldstream on 12–13 September 2026, a food, wine and market weekend among the trees. Wandin East then hosts the Blossom Festival from 19 September to 4 October 2026 — full details in our separate blossom guide linked above.
Where to pick: Coldstream or Wandin East
CherryHill has two locations in the Yarra Valley, about an hour from Melbourne, and each has its own character.
Coldstream is the newer of the two orchards, with a 100-acre planting, a big open picnic area, a modern café and tasting space, and a kids’ play area. It suits anyone who wants a slightly more polished setup with plenty of room to spread out.
Wandin East is where CherryHill’s very first cherry trees went in the ground back in 1940. It has a more rustic, farm-gate feel, with rolling lawns and a cosier café. If you like a bit of history with your day out, this is the one.
The experience: cherry picking Melbourne
Once you’re through the gate, you’re handed a bucket and set loose among the rows to pick and sample cherries straight from the tree — staff show you the right twist-and-pull technique so you don’t damage the branch. Entry includes all-you-can-eat cherries while you’re picking; anything you want to take home is weighed and charged by the kilogram on your way out.
During the season, CherryHill runs shuttle buses to help guests move around the orchard, with all-terrain vehicles also available for those who find the shuttle less suitable. Pack sunscreen, a hat and comfortable closed-toe shoes — the ground underfoot is a working farm, not a manicured path, and can be uneven in places.
Chris’s cherry picking day
Three generations of us descended on the Coldstream orchard for a girls’ day out (well, mostly girls — I was outnumbered three to one by my daughter and granddaughters, and no, nobody asked my opinion on anything).
I’ve eaten a lot of cherries in my time, but these were something else. Best I’ve tried, hands down. We picked bucketloads to bring home, then ate probably twice that many straight off the tree, which is either very good value or terrible economics depending on how you look at it. By the end, the girls had cherry juice running down their chins and their arms, and I wasn’t much better.
Before we left, I grabbed a bottle of cherry gin from the farm gate store for my wife. This one’s definitely becoming an annual tradition. Just might bring a bigger bucket next time, and maybe a spare shirt.
— Chris
Cherry picking pricing
Ticket prices for the 2026/27 season are now confirmed at booking. Note that the age brackets have shifted slightly since last season — adults are now classed as 17 and over, and the concession children’s rate now covers ages 4–16:
- Adult (17+): $22.50
- Child (4–16): $13.00
- Infant (0–3): free
- Family Pass (2 adults, 2 children): $60.00
- Groups (minimum 20 adults, weekdays only): $20.25
- Concession Card holders: $20.25 (card must be presented on check-in)
- Companion Card holders: free entry for the accompanying carer (card must be presented on check-in)
The prices above reflect a weekday session — weekend and public holiday sessions have historically been priced slightly higher (and book out fast!). Takeaway cherries are charged separately by the kilogram on top of your entry ticket.
Don’t forget: Seniors in Melbourne readers can use code SMCherry10 at checkout for a further 10% off.
Food, drink and the Farm Gate Store
Pack a picnic lunch if you’d like to make a proper day of it — both orchards have picnic areas to enjoy it in once you’ve finished picking. The on-site cafés serve cherry ice cream and cherry-flavoured drinks, with light meals also available at Coldstream. Before you leave, the farm gate store stocks cherry jams, sauces and other cherry-themed treats worth taking home or gifting.
Tip: Find tasty cherry recipes to make at home here.
Cherry, Wine and Dine Mid-Week Package
If you’d like to turn your cherry-picking trip into a proper day out, CherryHill has teamed up with neighbouring Rochford Wines for a midweek package running on selected weekdays through November 2026.
The package starts with a two-course lunch at Rochford Wines, with a glass of Rochford estate wine included for adults (soft drink for kids), before you head down the road to CherryHill Orchards Coldstream for two hours of all-you-can-eat cherry picking. Adults also take home a 500g grab-and-go box of cherries, while kids finish with a cherry ice-cream. The whole experience runs 4–6 hours, with lunch as your starting point — arrive on time for your seating.
- Adults (16+): $90
- Children (16 and under): $50
- Meeting point: Rochford Wines, 878–880 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770
- Accessibility: wheelchair and stroller accessible; contact info@cherryhill.com.au ahead of your visit for specific accessibility requests
- Transport isn’t included, so you’ll need to drive yourself between Rochford Wines and the CherryHill orchard (about a three-minute drive)
This one’s worth booking ahead, as availability is limited to specific weekdays and fills up.
CherryHill Orchards Christmas Market
The Christmas Market promises a lively atmosphere where visitors can enjoy live music, perfectly capturing the holiday spirit.
Cherryhill Coldstream. Free entry. Dates TBC.
Cherry-picking activity subject to availability
Accessibility at CherryHill
CherryHill has expanded its accessibility information since our last update, and it’s worth reading in full if this affects your visit:
- Accessible parking bays and pick-up/drop-off areas are available at both Coldstream and Wandin East
- Visitor entrances and main customer areas have no steps, with wide pathways suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
- Accessible toilets are located in the main customer areas, with Braille signage and baby-change facilities
- Orchard terrain itself is a working farm and can be uneven or steep in places — CherryHill asks guests to move around cautiously
- Shuttle buses operate during cherry-picking season; all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are also available for guests who find the shuttle unsuitable
- Sensory maps mark high and low sensory areas around each orchard, and quieter areas are available on request — CherryHill recommends visiting on weekdays for a calmer experience, as weekends and public holidays are busiest
- Registered assistance animals are welcome (note: cherry pits, stems and leaves are toxic to dogs, so handlers should take care)
- Customers with a hearing or speech impairment can contact CherryHill via the National Relay Service (133 677); low-vision or blind customers can book by phone
If you have specific mobility needs or requests, it’s worth contacting CherryHill directly before your visit on 1300 243 779 or info@cherryhill.com.au so staff can arrange accommodations in advance.
Getting there
Both orchards are about an hour’s drive from Melbourne through the Yarra Valley, and the drive itself is a pleasant part of the day.
- CherryHill Orchards Coldstream: 739 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770
- CherryHill Orchards Wandin East: 474 Queens Rd, Wandin East VIC
There’s ample on-site parking at both locations, including accessible bays. CherryHill is best reached by car — there’s no direct public transport option to either orchard, so factor that in if you don’t drive.
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