In November, blackberry picking is in season near Melbourne. We list 9 farms within about 90 minutes of the city — compare seasons, prices and booking below, then call ahead to confirm what's ripe.
Blackberry picking near Melbourne centres on the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, both under an hour and a half from the CBD, with a scattering of farms further out in Gippsland and on the Mornington Peninsula. The season is a long one, generally spanning November through to May depending on the farm, since many growers rotate blackberries in among other brambleberries like boysenberries and loganberries as they ripen. That makes it a flexible option for a weekend outing across most of the warmer months. Pricing usually combines a modest entry fee with per-kilo charges for what you pick, and tastings are often part of the deal. Fielderberry Farm in Cockatoo is known for its thornless blackberries running well into autumn, with no entry fee and produce sold by weight. Booking policies vary by farm, so check ahead.
| Farm | Status | Typical season | Entry / price | Booking | Kids | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Hills Berries and Cherries | In season | Nov-Jan; Late Oct-Apr | — | Booking required | Yes | About an hour east of Melbourne |
| Fielderberry Farm | In season | early Dec onward; Dec-Mar | No entry fee; produce sold by weight | — | Yes | About an hour east of Melbourne |
| Jay Berries | In season | Oct-Mar (varies by fruit) | Entry fee (approx $5-8 per person in older sources) includes tasting and picking containers; produce weighed and charged per kilogram; tractor rides for extra fee | — | Yes | About an hour east of Melbourne |
| Rayner's Orchard | In season | Nov-Dec; Dec-Mar | Guided tractor tour with tasting and u-pick; pricing not published (booking required via FareHarbor) | Booking required | Yes | About an hour east of Melbourne |
| Ripe 'N' Ready Cherry Farm | In season | mid Nov-mid Jan | — | No booking needed | Yes | About an hour south of Melbourne |
| Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm | In season | Nov-Apr | — | No booking needed | Yes | About an hour south of Melbourne |
| Sunny Creek Organic Fruit & Berry Farm | In season | Dec-Apr; Feb-Apr | Farm gate entry $12/adult, $8/child (2-12); pick-your-own berries $20/kg | Booking recommended | Yes | An hour or more east of Melbourne |
| Waterwheel Orchards | In season | Dec-Feb | — | — | — | An hour or more east of Melbourne |
| Chapmans Berry and Fruit Farm (Chappies U-Pick) | Unconfirmed · call ahead | mid Nov-Jan | Call ahead | — | Yes | About an hour east of Melbourne |
9 farms
Silvan · Dandenong Ranges
About an hour east of Melbourne
Cockatoo · Dandenong Ranges
About an hour east of Melbourne
Wandin East · Dandenong Ranges
About an hour east of Melbourne
Woori Yallock · Dandenong Ranges
About an hour east of Melbourne
Red Hill · Mornington Peninsula
About an hour south of Melbourne
Main Ridge · Mornington Peninsula
About an hour south of Melbourne
Trafalgar South · Gippsland
An hour or more east of Melbourne
Boolarra South · Gippsland
An hour or more east of Melbourne
Silvan · Dandenong Ranges
About an hour east of Melbourne
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
All blackberry picking in Australia Blackberry picking in Victoria All pick-your-own near Melbourne
Choose a crop and location. We will email you when local farms begin opening.
The Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley, both within about an hour of Melbourne, have the highest concentration of berry farms offering blackberries, often alongside other brambleberries. Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula have further options a little further out, typically within 90 minutes of the city.
Most blackberry farms near Melbourne sit between 45 minutes and 90 minutes from the CBD, with the Dandenong Ranges being the closest cluster. It's a comfortable half-day trip, and many farms are close enough together to combine two visits in one outing.
Melbourne-area blackberry season is a long one, generally running from November through to May, with individual farms varying depending on which brambleberries they're growing that particular week. Peak picking tends to fall in the December to February window. Call ahead, since farms often rotate between berry types.
It depends on the farm. Some Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges berry farms run ticketed sessions that need advance booking, especially on weekends, while others such as Fielderberry Farm are casual walk-up picking with no entry fee. Always confirm opening days before setting out.
