Gippsland stretches east from Melbourne's outer suburbs, and its pick-your-own farms range from about an hour's drive at Bunyip and Glen Forbes to closer to two and a half hours for the Maffra district further east. The region is best known for berries — strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries — plus a scattering of apple orchards. Sunny Creek Organic Fruit & Berry Farm at Trafalgar South grows an unusually wide mix, from raspberries and gooseberries to apples, chestnuts and persimmons, while The Berry Dairy at Maffra pairs strawberry picking with a petting zoo for younger kids. Berry picking typically runs September or October through to April or May, and Sherwood Park Orchard's apples at Bunyip pick on into June. Always call ahead, since Gippsland's berry farms close over the off-season each winter.
An hour or more east of Melbourne
6 farms
Glen Forbes · Gippsland
Bunyip · Gippsland
Trafalgar South · Gippsland
Maffra · Gippsland
Erica · Gippsland
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
Boolarra South · Gippsland
Details may have changed. Call before travelling.
Try removing a filter or .
The Berry Dairy at Maffra grows pick-your-own strawberries across five spray-free patches and typically picks from October through to May, alongside its petting zoo and cafe. Macca's Farm at Glen Forbes runs a similar September-to-April strawberry season further west. Both close over winter, so call ahead to check picking has reopened for the season before you drive out.
Sunny Creek Organic Fruit & Berry Farm at Trafalgar South grows an unusually wide range — raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, loganberries, gooseberries and currants — typically picking from December to April. Waterwheel Orchards near Boolarra South and Berryhill Fruit Farm at Erica also grow raspberries and blackberries, though their current details are unconfirmed, so it's worth calling ahead to check they're open.
Sherwood Park Orchard at Bunyip is the region's dedicated apple picking farm, typically open from February through to around the Queen's Birthday weekend in June. Sunny Creek Organic Fruit & Berry Farm also grows apples as part of its wider berry and nut season, roughly February to April. Ring ahead to check the orchard is open before making the trip.
Summer through to early autumn, roughly December to April, is when the most farms overlap: strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and boysenberries are all typically ripe together at Sunny Creek and the region's berry farms. If apples are your goal, aim for February to May instead, when Sherwood Park Orchard's crop is at its best. Confirm by phone, as Gippsland's weather can bring dates forward or back.
Prices vary by farm. The Berry Dairy charges $3 entry (free under five) plus $6-$20 a punnet, while Sunny Creek charges a $12 adult/$8 child farm-gate entry and $20/kg for pick-your-own berries. Sherwood Park Orchard's apples are $4/kg, dropping to $3/kg for over 10kg. Always check current pricing when you call to confirm the farm is open.