
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 experiences. The festival in Coldstream will start on November 2 and run until late December, while the event in Wandin East will start on November 25 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.
Take your time at the orchard, and cool down with cherry ice cream, cherry cider and a range of cocktails featuring cherry gin and cherry vodka. Purchase a grazing platter from Yarra Valley Dairy and have a picnic while you’re there. On the weekends, there will also be food trucks and live music.
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. Available for pre-order from Friday to Sunday, these packs include treats like shakshuka quiche, cherry cupcakes, artisan cheeses and more sweet and savoury delights.
For a mid-week culinary adventure, try the Cherries Wine & Dine experience with Rochford Wines. Enjoy a two-course lunch, paired with a glass of estate wine at Rochford Wines. Then, go cherry picking for two hours, and take your fruit home in a complimentary 500g box.
If you’re a fan of cheese, then you’ll want to go for the Cherries and Cheese Day Trip. Sample a curated selection of artisanal cheeses at Yarra Valley Dairy, then head to the Coldstream orchard for an hour of cherry picking.
Event details
Coldstream orchard
When: November 2 – late December
Where: 739 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream VIC 3770.
Wandin East orchard
When: November 25 – early January 2025
Where: 474 Queens Rd, Wandin East VIC 3139.
Find out more here.