It’s time to tour the Victorian Cherry Trail

15th November 2023 | EATIVITY Editors

The Victorian cherry season has officially kicked off and it’s looking to be a great one right from the get go! If you’re a lover of mother nature’s ruby red lollies, you can now can enjoy them by the bucket full while supporting Victorian growers on the Victorian Cherry Trail. Orchards are spread across the Yarra Valley, the Upper Goulburn Valley and Macedon Ranges, and are now officially open to guests.

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 cherries to enjoy – including Merchant, Bing, Regina, Lapin, Sweet Georgia, Sweetheart and Van. The cherries eaten at the start of the season will be different to the ones eaten at the end. All the more reason to hit the harvest trail and visit as many orchards as possible so you can eat them all season long!

There are more than 80 cherry varieties grown in Australia.

The Cherry Trail gives everyone the opportunity to visit seven orchards, buy farm-fresh cherries from the on-site shops 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.

Here’s the full list of orchards on the Victorian Cherry Trail:
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

Upper Goulburn Valley
Koala Cherries, 6547 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck – Buy farm fresh

Macedon Ranges
Naturipe Fruits, 638 Bacchus Marsh Rd, Bacchus Marsh – Pick your own and buy farm fresh

It’s a great day out and a fantastic way to support our local farmers.

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.

Victorian cherries are medium to large fruits, with a dark ruby-red skin and a sweet, rich taste.

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!