admin November 2, 2023
Victorian Cherry season is kicking off and signs are indicating a great season right from the start! Victorians and visitors can enjoy the adored red fruit while supporting Victorian growers when the Victorian Cherry Trail starts this month, with orchards across the Yarra Valley and in the Upper Goulburn Valley and Macedon Ranges.
The Victorian Cherry season typically runs from November until mid-January, with the peak season being in December. Across these months there are a variety of different Victorian Cherries to enjoy – including Merchant, Bing, Regina, Lapin, Sweet Georgia, Sweetheart and Van – so the cherry eaten at the start of the season will be different to the one eaten at the end. All the more reason to visit different orchards and eat them all season long!
The Cherry Trail gives everyone the opportunity to visit seven orchards, buy farm-fresh Cherries from the on-site shop and even pick-their-own at five of the farms. It’s a great day out for families, couples or friends and a fantastic way to support Victorian farms from Sunraysia to Mornington Peninsula.
Victorian Cherry Trail Starts This Month
- Yarra Valley Ranges
- Big Fella Cherries, 38 Boundary Rd, Coldstream
- Pick Your Own and buy farm fresh
- Blue Hills Berries & Cherries, 27 Parker Road, Silvan
- Pick Your Own and buy farm fresh
- Cherry Hill Orchards, 474 Queens Rd, Wandin
- Pick Your Own and buy farm fresh
- Yarra Valley Cherries, 585 Victoria Rd, Seville
- Buy farm fresh
- Wandin Valley Farms, 47 Hunter Rd, Wandin North
- Buy farm fresh
- Big Fella Cherries, 38 Boundary Rd, Coldstream
- Upper Goulburn Valley
- Koala Cherries, 6547 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck
- Buy farm fresh
- Koala Cherries, 6547 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck
- Macedon Ranges
- Naturipe Fruits, 638 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Bacchus Marsh
- Pick Your Own and buy farm fresh
- Naturipe Fruits, 638 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Bacchus Marsh
Cherries make the perfect snack, eaten on their own while out and about, at home or at school. They are also a great cooking ingredient in both sweet and savoury dishes, adding flavour and richness to salads, salsas, sauces, dressings and desserts.
Of course, Cherries are an ideal gift too, especially around the festive season when they are mid-season and available in abundance. And is it really Christmas without a box of cherries? And those self-picked are always even more rewarding and taste even sweeter!
Cherries do not continue to ripen once picked, so snacking can begin immediately after visiting the orchard! They can be stored in the fridge in a bag or container for up to ten days, or frozen for up to six months when de-stoned.
Alison Jones, President of The Victorian Cherry Association said “Cherry farmers are looking forward to Victorians enjoying the incredible Cherries we will have this season.
“We can’t wait for people to go on the Cherry Trail and visit some of our beautiful orchards. It really is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family and get out into the stunning Victorian countryside while supporting our local growers.”
Delicious Victorian Cherries are a summer staple, so everyone should ensure they are at the top of their grocery lists this season and that the Victorian Cherry Trail is on the list of things to do!
