After delighting Melburnians with their dreamy Cherry Blossom Festival, CherryHill Orchards are throwing open their doors again for a fun Cherry Picking Festival. Wander through their rows of trees in either Wandin East or Coldstream, eat as many cherries as you like straight from the tree, and pack some cherries to take home. During the festival, there will also be food trucks, cherry ice cream, cherry drinks and special events. The festival in Coldstream will start on November 13 and run until late December, while the event in Wandin East will start on November 27 and end in early January.
Cherry Picking Festival at CherryHill Orchards
Your journey begins by choosing your cherry picking spot. Both orchards are about an hour away from Melbourne CBD, and offer slightly different experiences. The original orchard in Wandin East stretches over 85 acres, while the Coldstream orchard has a whopping 100 acres for you to explore.
This year, high tea specialists Mary Eats Cake will be serving up delicious picnic packs, so you don’t have to worry about packing your own. There’s three different sizes for you to choose from, with delicious bites like shakshuka quiche, cherry delight doughnuts, and a selection of artisan cheeses, fruits, crackers and cherry chutney.
Explore the Yarra Valley with the Cherries, Cheese and Chocolate foodie day trip. This mid-week experience is a self-guided adventure. Indulge in a tasting of ten cheeses at the first stop, Yarra Valley Dairy. You’ll get to pick one cheese to take home in a cooler bag. Then, head to the Coldstream orchard for an hour of cherry-picking, plus 500g of cherries to take home. Finally, visit Hanhdorf Fine Chocolates in Montrose, and enjoy a complimentary chocolate on arrival, cake, a beverage and a selection of five chocolates in a tray to take home.
If you like beer, be sure to visit the Coldstream orchard for a special Orchard Brew event on Friday November 17. Start by going cherry-picking, then, enjoy wood-fired pizza and limited-edition cherry brewed beer made by Coldstream Brewery. Learn how the beer is made, and enjoy an evening of live acoustic music.
If you prefer wine, try the mid-week Rochford Wine & Dine experience. Enjoy a two-course lunch, paired with a glass of estate wine at Rochford Wines. Then, head next door to the Coldstream orchard for two hours of cherry picking, and a box to fill up with cherries and take home.
Both locations will have local food trucks for you to enjoy on weekends, as well as live music. Admission into the festival includes two hours of cherry picking. Takeaway cherries are charged by the kilo.
Event details
Coldstream orchard
When: November 13 – late December
Where: 739 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770.
Wandin East orchard
When: November 27 – early January 2024
Where: 474 Queens Rd, Wandin East VIC 3139.
Find out more here.