Fruit picking is a wonderful family activity to enjoy during winter and there are plenty of fruits available to choose from including Mandarins, Apples, Tomatoes, Lemons, Oranges, Cumquats and more.
Most farms have a small entry fee and then you either pay by weight or by bucket for the fruit you pick. The fruit is usually excellent value and the freshest you will find! Some offer more than just fruit picking – they also have honey and other farm-fresh goodies available, farm animals to pet/feed and more!
Here are some great options, all within 1 – 1.5 hours or so of Ryde.
Watkins Family Farm
1006 Singleton Mills Road, Laughtondale (Wiseman’s Ferry)
You’ll find: Hickson and Emperor Mandarins, Cumquats and other goodies. Make sure you say hi to the friendly farm animals and enjoy a picnic while there!
- Opening Times: Weekends and public and school holidays, 10am to 3.30pm.
- Drive time from Ryde: 1 hour & 15 minutes
- Cost: fruit charged per kg
- Phone: 0418 233 466
Bilpin Springs Orchard
2550 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin
You’ll find: Apples and persimmons
- Opening times: Saturday and Sunday 7am to 1pm. They are open until June but keep checking Facebook for updates
- Cost: fruit charged per kg
- Drive time from Ryde: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Phone: 4567 1294
Bilpin Fruit Bowl
2093 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin
You’ll find: Pink Lady & Granny Smith apples, Figs, Strawberries and a cafe. The shop stocks local honey, local homemade jams, souvenirs, cider from local cellar doors, apple juice, candles, pottery, fresh fruit and seasonal summer fruits and lots more.
- Opening Hours: every weekend and public holiday from 10am till 1pm
- Cost: Adult entry $20 per person to farm, child between 3 and 12 years $10 per child to farm, under 3 years of age free to enter
- Drive time from Ryde: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Phone: 4567 1152
Fords Farm
1275 Singleton Road, Laughtondale (via Wisemans Ferry)
You’ll find: Mandarins, oranges, limes, lemons, homemade jams & chutneys
- Opening Hours: 9am to 4.00pm – keep checking the website for updates
- Drive time from Ryde: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Cost: Entry fee of $10 per car (covers up to 6 people) then you’ll only pay for the fruit you pick at $3.00 per kg, cumquats $10.00 per kg.
- Bookings essential: To book a tour email or phone for a suitable date.
- Phone: 4566 3127
Canoelands Orchard
27-29 Canoelands Road, Canoelands
You’ll find: Tomatoes, persimmons, mandarins and lemons plus a shop and Cafe 9am – 2pm daily.
- Opening Hours: Open daily, 10am – 2pm. Bookings required.
- Cost: Adult $10, Child (3-15) $5, under 3 free plus pay for the fruit you pick
- Drive time from Ryde: 50 minutes
Other AWESOME picks:
- Anderson Farm for Mandarins and Oranges – 951 to 968 Sackville Ferry Rd, Sackville North
- TNT Produce for Apples, Persimmons and Strawberries – 2070 Bells Line of Rd, Bilpin
- Berrylicious Strawberries for strawberries – 200B West Parade, Thirlmere, NSW, Australia, New South Wales
