Citrus picking in Australia

Citrus picking is mainly a winter crop, running roughly May to September across the Central Coast, Yarra Valley and Perth Hills, peaking June to August. Queensland's Mundubbera district starts a little earlier, from April, and also peaks around June-July. Some NSW growers extend into summer with Valencia oranges, and NT lemons are available from March through to December.

Pricing is usually by weight or by bag, commonly around $5 a kilogram for oranges, mandarins and lemons. Ford's Farm at Laughtondale charges $5 a kilogram for mandarins, limes, lemons and oranges (more for cumquats), while Wyuna Farms in Kulnura charges about $15 a bag and Watkins Family Farm asks a minimum $12.50 per bucket. Some farms also add a small car or entry fee.

Yes. The Central Coast, about an hour to 90 minutes from the CBD, is Sydney's main citrus-picking district, with growers including Meliora Farm, Wyuna Farms and Pick Your Own Oranges Dooralong (Cedar Farm) picking navel oranges, mandarins and lemons roughly May to September. The Hawkesbury district, closer to Sydney, also has citrus at farms like Ford's Farm and Watkins Family Farm over a similar winter window.

Yes. The Yarra Valley, about an hour from the Melbourne CBD, has citrus picking from roughly June to October, peaking July-August, with growers such as Rayner's Orchard listing oranges, mandarins, grapefruit and lemons among their winter and spring produce. As with most citrus orchards, it's a smaller crop alongside other fruit, so call ahead to confirm what's ready.

Pick-your-own citrus orchards typically grow navel and Valencia oranges, mandarins, lemons and limes, with a few also offering grapefruit or cumquats. Which varieties are ready shifts through the winter season as navels give way to later mandarins and Valencias, so it's worth asking the orchard what's currently being picked when you call to check opening times.