Spend a full day harvesting berries and orchard fruits in the Yarra Valley, visiting Blue Hills Berries & Cherries and Rayners Orchards with a stop at the Yarra Valley Chocolaterie. Learn picking techniques, taste fresh produce, and explore farmgate shops.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
Morning light slides across orchard rows as the minivan leaves Melbourne and the city’s glass fades into rolling paddocks. By midmorning you step into Blue Hills Berries & Cherries where family-run rows of strawberries, raspberries and cherries arc toward low hills; the Chapman family has farmed these soils for more than a century, and the methods you see are as much craft as crop.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7–9 hours
Fitness Level
Light—suitable for most fitness levels; requires short walks and standing while picking
Wildlife
History
The Yarra Valley shifted from 19th-century dairying and hops into intensive orchard cultivation in the 20th century, with family farms passing knowledge across generations.
Conservation
Many small orchards use integrated pest management and promote farmgate sales to reduce transport emissions; stick to marked paths to protect delicate root systems.
Reserve your spot on the Fruits picking tour from Melbourne today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Harvest windows
Seasonal availability varies—berries are typically best November–May; Rayners offers a wider variety through August.
Dress for the ground
Wear closed-toe shoes with traction—orchard rows can be soft or muddy after rain.
Bring a cooler or insulated bag
Small farms will sell jars and picked fruit that last longer when chilled for travel back to Melbourne.
Respect the crop
Only pick in designated areas and follow staff guidance to avoid damaging plants or taking unripe fruit.
Closed-toe walking shoes
Protects feet from uneven, sometimes muddy orchard ground.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Wide sun exposure in the orchards makes sun protection essential.
summer
Small cooler or insulated bag
Keeps picked fruit and farm purchases fresh for the trip home.
Reusable container or lightweight tote
Handy for carrying picked fruit and samples while moving between rows.