Where To Go Family Winter Fruit-Picking Near Sydney

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

Time spent in the fresh air, no iPads, family-bonding, and re-connecting with nature- just some of the awesome benefits that a day of fruit-picking with the family offers. Although the kiddie favourites such as mangoes and strawberries and the like are out of season, there's still plenty of tantalising sweet stuff to be harvested by hand. 

The winter fruit-picking season lasts from June-August, with citrus fruits taking the limelight (pardon the pun). Here are our top picks for farms, a short drive from Sydney, to head to whilst the weather is chilly.

1. Watkins Family Farm

Only about a 1-hour drive from Sydney, Watkins Farm offers fruit-picking, wide open spaces, pets to feed and farm animals to check out. From 26 May 2018, Watkins Farm will be offering pick-your-own MANDARINS, of the Imperial, Hickson and Emperor kinds every Saturday and Sunday. There's no entry fee- just pay for what you pick! There's something for the entire family to enjoy- feed some sheep, feed the goats, check out the chickens, breathe in the fresh mountain valley air, or just relax with a picnic surrounded by over 2,000 fruit trees. ellaslist went fruit picking with the family, read about our gorgeous experience here. 

2. Ford's Farm

Ford's Farm is just a 90-minute drive north-west of Sydney, and is a pick-your-own citrus farm which specialises in MANDARINS. Ford's Farm is an utterly tranquil place to fruit pick- it is bound by the Hawkesbury River and the Marra Marra National Park. There is a $5 entry fee per car, and after that, only a $2 charge per kilogram of fruit that you pick! At Ford's you can feed the friendly local sheep, buy some of their homemade jams, chutneys and honeys, bring your own family picnic to make the most of the serene surrounds, and of course, hand-pick seedless Satsuma mandarins, Imperial mandarins, Hickson and Emperor Mandarins, as well as LEMONS, LIMES, CUMQUATS, ORANGES, and KAFFIR LIMES when they are in season. Their winter season is set to begin from 26 May 2018, and will finish up when all the fruit has been picked, which usually takes about 6 weeks. They are open every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. 

3. Canoelands Orchard

We just love Canoelands Orchard, and luckily, they don't go into hibernation over the winter months. Just a one-hour drive north-west of Sydney, they are currently offering pick-your-own TOMATOES, set to run until early July. They are open on weekends, and on weekdays by appointment only. Entry costs $5 per adult and $3 per child with under 5s entering for free, and $6 per kilogram of tomatoes after that. ellaslist spent a day at Canoelands, read about our adventures here. 

4. Bilpin Fruit Bowl

Family owned and operated since 1985, Bilpin Fruit Bowl's orchards are home to about 10,000 fruit trees! Forage for your own plump, juicy strawberries every second Saturday in the winter months, and make sure to head to the farm shop afterwards for a winter fruit-filled dessert, and some just-made strawberry jam to take home. 

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