What fruit is picking in Australia right now? The harvest calendar, month by month
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Short answer
Something is picked somewhere in Australia every month. The north (Queensland, the Top End, northern WA) works through the dry season, roughly April to November, with vegetables, citrus and mangoes. The south harvests from late spring to autumn: cherries and berries first, then stone fruit, grapes and apples. In October and November, mangoes peak in the Top End and cherries begin around Young and Orange.
The calendar, town by town
A dot means the town is usually in season that month. Click a month for what is picking, or a town for live jobs and farms.
| Town | jan | feb | mar | apr | may | jun | jul | aug | sep | oct | nov | dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundaberg QLD | ||||||||||||
| Childers QLD | ||||||||||||
| Bowen QLD | ||||||||||||
| Ayr QLD | ||||||||||||
| Tully QLD | ||||||||||||
| Innisfail QLD | ||||||||||||
| Mareeba QLD | ||||||||||||
| Gatton QLD | ||||||||||||
| Stanthorpe QLD | ||||||||||||
| Griffith NSW | ||||||||||||
| Young NSW | ||||||||||||
| Orange NSW | ||||||||||||
| Coffs Harbour NSW | ||||||||||||
| Mildura VIC | ||||||||||||
| Shepparton VIC | ||||||||||||
| Swan Hill VIC | ||||||||||||
| Carnarvon WA | ||||||||||||
| Kununurra WA | ||||||||||||
| Manjimup WA | ||||||||||||
| Margaret River WA | ||||||||||||
| Renmark SA | ||||||||||||
| McLaren Vale SA | ||||||||||||
| Barossa Valley SA | ||||||||||||
| Huonville TAS | ||||||||||||
| Devonport TAS | ||||||||||||
| Scottsdale TAS | ||||||||||||
| Darwin & Rural Area NT | ||||||||||||
| Katherine NT |
Seasons from Matey's curated town notes. Weather moves them by weeks, so check live jobs on each town page.
October: mangoes up north, the first southern fruit
Mango season peaks in the Top End around Darwin and Katherine and starts on the Atherton Tablelands around Mareeba. Queensland vegetables are still going around Bowen, Ayr, Bundaberg and Gatton. In the south, the first strawberries and stone fruit appear, and grain harvest starts in the WA wheatbelt and South Australia.
November: cherries begin, the north winds down
Cherries begin around Young and Orange in New South Wales, mangoes move into Queensland, and Tasmania and Victoria gear up for summer berries and cherries. Northern vegetable work finishes as the wet season approaches, so November is the month many backpackers move south. Line up the next job before the current one ends.
How to use the calendar
- Seasons move by a few weeks with the weather. Arrive a little before the peak, not on it.
- Year-round towns (Bundaberg, Childers, Tully, Innisfail, Gatton and others) are the safest bet if you need days fast.
- The calendar shows where work is likely, not that a farm will hire you. Check live jobs on each town page.
- Every town on the calendar is a farm-work area, but the 88 days depend on the worksite postcode. Check it before your first shift.
Common follow-up questions
What fruit is being picked in Australia in October?
Mangoes in the Top End and starting on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland vegetables around Bowen and Bundaberg, and the first strawberries and stone fruit in the south. Grain harvest starts in WA and South Australia.
What is picking in Australia in November?
Cherries begin around Young and Orange, mangoes move into Queensland, and Tasmania and Victoria start summer berries and cherries. Northern vegetable work finishes before the wet season.
Where can I find farm work all year round in Australia?
Bundaberg, Childers, Gatton, Tully and Innisfail in Queensland have work most of the year, which is why they are the classic 88-day towns. Matey's town pages list live jobs and farms for each.
When is cherry season in Australia?
Roughly November to January. It starts around Young and Orange in New South Wales and peaks in December there, in the Adelaide Hills and in Tasmania.
General information only, not immigration or tax advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a registered migration agent (check the OMARA register) or a registered tax agent (TPB register).
Sources
- Home Affairs: specified work for the Working Holiday visa (417)
- Home Affairs: specified work for the Work and Holiday visa (462)
- Fair Work: Horticulture Award summary (MA000028)
General information, not migration or legal advice. Rules and pay rates change, so confirm anything your visa depends on with the official source.
More quick answers
Find work where the season is
Every harvest town on Matey has live jobs, local farms and reviews from backpackers who worked there.
Farm work by town