Fruit Picking Seasons Australia: The Complete Harvest Calendar (2026)
Fruit picking work is available somewhere in Australia every month of the year. The trick is knowing where to be and when.
This guide breaks down the harvest seasons state by state, crop by crop, and town by town, so you can plan where to go, what you'll pick, and what you can expect to earn. Every section links to live farm jobs on Farmwork Australia so you can see what's available right now.
If you're on a Working Holiday Visa chasing your 88 days of specified work, this calendar is your planning tool. If you're an Australian looking for seasonal income, it's your roadmap.
The Quick Answer: When Is Fruit Picking Season?
The busiest months nationally are November through April, with February being peak harvest across most of the country. But Australia's size means there's always something being picked somewhere:
- Year-round: Bananas (QLD), vegetables (QLD), dairy work (VIC)
- Summer (Nov-Apr): Cherries, stone fruit, berries, mangoes, melons
- Autumn (Mar-Jun): Apples, pears, grapes, citrus starts
- Winter (Jun-Sep): Citrus, pruning work, vegetables in QLD
- Spring (Sep-Nov): Mangoes start in the NT, strawberries in QLD, asparagus in VIC
Bottom line: if you're flexible on location, you can work all year.
Fruit Picking Seasons by State
Queensland — Year-Round Work, Tropical Crops
Queensland is the closest thing to year-round fruit picking in Australia. The tropical climate in the north and the fertile growing regions in the south mean there's almost always something being harvested.
Key regions and what's picking:
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Bundaberg & Wide Bay | Sweet potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, mangoes, avocados, citrus, macadamias | Year-round (busiest Apr-Dec) |
| Bowen & Whitsundays | Tomatoes, capsicums, melons, mangoes | May-Nov (biggest volumes) |
| Atherton Tablelands | Bananas, avocados, mangoes, sugarcane | Year-round |
| Stanthorpe & Granite Belt | Apples, stone fruit, grapes, strawberries | Nov-May |
| Childers & Gin Gin | Citrus, avocados, lychees | Mar-Sep |
| Ayr & Home Hill | Sugarcane, melons | May-Nov |
| Gayndah & Mundubbera | Citrus (Australia's citrus capital) | Apr-Oct |
Bundaberg is the single most popular destination for backpackers doing farm work. The variety of crops means if one thing finishes, another starts. There are working hostels like Farmgate Backpackers that connect you directly with farms.
Browse farm jobs in Queensland →
Victoria — Stone Fruit Country, Grapes & Dairy
Victoria's harvest season is concentrated but productive. The Goulburn Valley and Murray River regions are the engine room.
Key regions and what's picking:
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Shepparton & Goulburn Valley | Apples, pears, stone fruit (peaches, plums, apricots) | Nov-Apr (peak Feb) |
| Mildura & Sunraysia | Grapes (table + wine), citrus, dried fruit | Feb-Apr (harvest), Jun-Aug (pruning) |
| Swan Hill | Stone fruit, grapes, almonds | Nov-Apr |
| Cobram | Stone fruit (especially peaches) | Dec-Mar |
| Yarra Valley | Cherries, berries, wine grapes | Nov-Apr |
| Gippsland | Dairy (year-round), vegetables | Year-round |
| Mornington Peninsula | Cherries, berries, wine grapes | Nov-Mar |
Mildura deserves special mention: grape harvest runs February to April, then pruning work fills the winter months from June to August. If you're willing to prune, Mildura can keep you busy for six months or more.
Shepparton is stone fruit central. The orchards around there produce a huge volume of apples, pears, and stone fruit from November onwards.
Browse farm jobs in Victoria →
New South Wales — Diverse Crops, Long Seasons
NSW has the most diverse agricultural output of any state. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north to cool temperate in the south, which spreads the harvest across a long window.
Key regions and what's picking:
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Griffith & Riverina | Grapes, citrus, rice, stone fruit | Feb-May (harvest), Jun-Aug (pruning) |
| Orange & Central Tablelands | Cherries, apples, stone fruit | Nov-Apr |
| Coffs Harbour & North Coast | Blueberries, bananas, macadamias | Jun-Feb (blueberries peak Aug-Dec) |
| Young | Cherries (the Cherry Capital of Australia) | Nov-Dec |
| Batlow | Apples, pears | Feb-May |
| Hunter Valley | Wine grapes | Feb-Apr |
| Narromine & Western NSW | Cotton, grain | Varies |
Young is worth a detour if you can time it right. Cherry season is short (roughly late November to late December) but the pay on piece rates can be excellent. Fast pickers earn serious money in a very short window.
Coffs Harbour's blueberry industry has grown massively. The season runs roughly June to February with peak demand from August to December.
Browse farm jobs in New South Wales →
South Australia — Wine Country & Citrus
South Australia is grape territory. The Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Riverland are all major wine-producing regions.
Key regions and what's picking:
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Barossa Valley | Wine grapes | Feb-Apr (harvest), Jun-Aug (pruning) |
| Riverland (Renmark, Berri, Loxton) | Citrus, grapes, stone fruit, almonds | Year-round (peak Jan-Jun) |
| Adelaide Hills | Cherries, apples, pears, berries | Nov-Apr |
| McLaren Vale | Wine grapes | Feb-Apr |
| Virginia & Northern Adelaide Plains | Vegetables, almonds | Year-round |
The Riverland is South Australia's answer to Bundaberg: multiple crops across a long season. Citrus runs from about March through October, grapes fill February to April, and almonds slot in around February to March.
Browse farm jobs in South Australia →
Western Australia — Long Seasons in the Southwest & Northwest
WA's geography means two very different farming zones: the temperate southwest (apples, grapes, vegetables) and the tropical northwest (mangoes, melons, bananas).
Key regions and what's picking:
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Donnybrook & Manjimup | Apples, pears, stone fruit, avocados | Jan-Jun |
| Margaret River | Wine grapes | Feb-Apr |
| Carnarvon | Bananas, tomatoes, mangoes, chillies | Year-round (mangoes Oct-Dec) |
| Kununurra & Ord River | Melons, mangoes, sandalwood | May-Nov |
| Gingin & Swan Valley | Citrus, grapes, stone fruit | Nov-Apr |
| Geraldton | Tomatoes, rock lobster | Varies |
Carnarvon is WA's year-round option. The warm climate means bananas, tomatoes, and other crops grow continuously. Kununurra in the far north is remote but the melon and mango work pays well and the scenery is unlike anywhere else in Australia.
Browse farm jobs in Western Australia →
Tasmania — Short Season, High Demand
Every December, the Huon Valley south of Hobart fills up with pickers chasing cherry money. The window is tight — maybe six weeks of serious work — but that's exactly why growers pay well and hire fast.
Tasmania has the shortest harvest season of any state. Everything kicks off in November and most picking wraps by April. But the whole island counts as a regional area for your 88 days, so you can stack visa days quickly.
Where to go:
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Huon Valley | Apples, cherries, berries | Dec-Apr |
| Tamar Valley | Wine grapes, apples, berries | Jan-Apr |
| Devonport & North Coast | Vegetables, berries | Nov-Apr |
| Coal River Valley | Cherries, wine grapes | Dec-Mar |
Tip: Book accommodation early if you're heading to the Huon Valley in December. The towns are small and beds fill up fast once cherry season starts.
Browse farm jobs in Tasmania →
Northern Territory — Mangoes, Melons & Year-Round Outback Work
The NT is hot, remote, and the work is physical. But it pays well and the seasons fill the winter gap when southern states are quiet.
| Region | Crops | Best Months |
|---|---|---|
| Darwin & Humpty Doo | Mangoes, bananas, Asian vegetables | Sep-Dec (mangoes), year-round (veges) |
| Katherine | Melons, mangoes, citrus | May-Nov |
| Alice Springs | Grapes, dates, table grapes | Feb-Apr |
| Ti Tree | Grapes, melons | Feb-Jun |
The mango season around Darwin (September to December) is legendary. The work is hard (you're picking in 35°C+ heat) but the pay reflects it. If you can handle the conditions, mango picking is one of the best-paying seasonal jobs in Australia.
Katherine's melon season fills the opposite end of the calendar — May through November — so you can pair the two regions for nearly a full year's work in the Territory. The entire NT qualifies as a regional area for 88-day purposes.
Browse farm jobs in Northern Territory →
Harvest Calendar by Crop
Here's a quick reference for the most popular crops. Use this to plan which fruit you want to follow across the country.
| Crop | States | Peak Season | Pay Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mangoes | QLD, NT, WA | Sep-Dec | Piece rate (per tray/bin) |
| Cherries | VIC, TAS, NSW, SA | Nov-Jan | Piece rate (per kg) |
| Grapes (wine) | SA, VIC, NSW, WA | Feb-Apr | Hourly or piece rate |
| Apples & Pears | VIC, TAS, WA, NSW | Feb-May | Piece rate (per bin) |
| Strawberries | QLD, VIC, WA | Jun-Nov | Piece rate (per punnet/kg) |
| Blueberries | NSW, QLD, TAS | Aug-Feb | Piece rate (per kg) |
| Citrus | QLD, SA, NSW, WA | Mar-Oct | Hourly or piece rate |
| Bananas | QLD, NT, WA | Year-round | Hourly (usually) |
| Melons | QLD, NT | May-Nov | Piece rate or hourly |
| Stone fruit | VIC, NSW, SA, TAS | Nov-Mar | Piece rate (per bin) |
| Avocados | QLD, WA | Mar-Sep | Hourly (usually) |
| Tomatoes | QLD, WA | Year-round (QLD), varies (WA) | Hourly or piece rate |
How Much Do Fruit Pickers Earn?
This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is: it varies a lot.
Minimum rates (Pastoral Award 2026):
- Full-time/part-time: $24.73/hour
- Casual (with 25% loading): $30.91/hour
Piece rates in practice:
- Beginners on their first week: often below the hourly equivalent (but there's a guaranteed floor)
- Competent pickers after a week or two: $25-$35/hour equivalent
- Fast, experienced pickers on good fruit: $35-$50+/hour equivalent
Best-paying crops by reputation:
- Cherries — short season, high demand, fast pickers clean up
- Mangoes — hard work in the heat, but pays well
- Strawberries — piece rates reward speed
- Blueberries — light fruit, high volume, good money if you're quick
A realistic expectation for your first picking job: you'll earn around minimum wage for the first week while your hands and body adjust. By week two or three, most people are earning noticeably more. The top earners are the ones who've done a few seasons and know how to work efficiently.
For a deeper breakdown, see our Farm Work Pay Rates Australia 2026 guide.
How to Follow the Harvest Trail
The smartest approach to farm work in Australia is to follow the seasons. As one crop finishes in one region, another starts somewhere else. Here's a sample year-round route:
- Sep-Dec: Start with mangoes in the NT or QLD (Darwin, Bowen)
- Nov-Jan: Move south for cherries in VIC, TAS, or Young (NSW)
- Jan-Mar: Stone fruit in Shepparton (VIC) or the Riverina (NSW)
- Feb-Apr: Grape harvest in the Barossa (SA) or Mildura (VIC)
- Apr-Jun: Apples in Batlow (NSW) or Donnybrook (WA)
- Jun-Aug: Pruning work in Mildura (VIC) or Griffith (NSW)
- Aug-Nov: Blueberries in Coffs Harbour (NSW), strawberries in QLD
You don't need to follow this exact route. But the principle holds: be willing to move, and you can work year-round.
How to Find Fruit Picking Jobs Right Now
You're reading this on a job board, so the obvious answer is to browse our current farm job listings. We list fruit picking, packing, pruning, and general farm work across every state.
Other ways to find work:
- Working hostels in farming regions often connect you directly with local farms
- The National Harvest Guide (workforce.gov.au) lists seasonal demand by region
- Door-knocking — turning up at farms during harvest still works, especially in smaller towns
- Word of mouth from other pickers at hostels and caravan parks
Avoid Facebook groups where you can't verify the employer. Scam listings are common, especially ones that ask for upfront payments for accommodation or "placement fees." Legitimate employers never charge you to get hired.
Browse all fruit picking jobs across Australia →
Frequently Asked Questions
When is fruit picking season in Australia?
There's no single season — it depends on the state and the crop. The busiest period nationally is November through April, with February being peak harvest. But tropical regions in Queensland and the Northern Territory offer work through winter, and pruning work fills the off-season in grape-growing areas. With the right planning, you can find fruit picking work any month of the year.
What is the best fruit to pick in Australia for money?
Cherries and mangoes tend to pay the highest piece rates because the work is intense and the seasonal windows are short. Experienced cherry pickers in Victoria and Tasmania report earning $300-$400+ per day during peak weeks in December. Strawberries and blueberries also pay well on piece rates if you're fast. That said, the "best" fruit is the one that's in season where you are — an available job always beats a theoretical high-paying one three states away.
What month does fruit picking start in Australia?
It depends where you are. In Queensland's tropical north, work runs year-round. In southern states like Victoria and Tasmania, the main season starts in November with cherries and stone fruit. Western Australia kicks off as early as October in the southwest. The Northern Territory's mango season begins in September. Check the state-by-state breakdown above for specific timing.
Where is the best place for fruit picking in Australia?
Bundaberg in Queensland is the most popular destination because it offers work across multiple crops nearly year-round. Shepparton and Mildura in Victoria are strong for stone fruit and grapes. The Atherton Tablelands near Cairns have bananas and avocados almost year-round. For short, high-paying stints, try cherry country — Young in NSW or the Huon Valley in Tasmania — during December.
How much do fruit pickers get paid in Australia?
The casual minimum wage for farm workers is $30.91/hour under the Pastoral Award 2026. Many picking jobs pay piece rates instead, where you earn per bin, bucket, or kilogram. Beginners often earn less than the hourly equivalent while learning, but there's a guaranteed minimum floor. Experienced pickers typically earn $35-$45/hour equivalent. Some fast cherry and mango pickers earn significantly more during peak weeks.
Can you make good money fruit picking in Australia?
Yes, but set realistic expectations. Your first week will be slow — most beginners take 3-5 days to build speed and stamina. By week two or three, you'll be noticeably faster. The best earners follow the harvest trail, moving between regions to always be picking during peak season when there's the most fruit on the trees. A reasonable target once you're up to speed: $800-$1,200 per week, depending on the crop and conditions.
Last updated: April 2026. We update this harvest calendar before each major season. Crop times can shift by a few weeks depending on weather — always check with local farms or browse current listings for the most up-to-date availability.
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