What's picking in October in Australia?

Last checked 25 September 2026

Short answer

Mango season peaks in the Top End and starts on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland vegetables are still going, and the first southern strawberries and stone fruit appear. On Matey's harvest calendar, 15 of 28 tracked harvest towns are in season in October, including Bowen, Coffs Harbour, Carnarvon, Darwin & Rural Area, and Mildura.

By state in October

Queensland

30 farms on Matey harvesting: bananas, strawberries, capsicum, avocados, pumpkin, pineapples, papaya, lettuce.

Bundaberg: sweet potatoes Childers: citrus Bowen: tomatoes Ayr: melons Tully: bananas Innisfail: bananas Mareeba: mangoes Gatton: salad vegetables

New South Wales

14 farms on Matey harvesting: blueberries, citrus, oranges, mandarins, peaches, nectarines, plums, stone fruit.

Griffith: citrus Coffs Harbour: blueberries

Victoria

12 farms on Matey harvesting: asparagus, oranges, lettuce, citrus, grapes, broccoli, cauliflower, salad greens.

Mildura: wine

Western Australia

11 farms on Matey harvesting: mangoes, bananas, tomatoes, pumpkins, citrus, melons, sandalwood, carrots.

Carnarvon: bananas

South Australia

8 farms on Matey harvesting: citrus, potatoes, carrots, onions, tomatoes, capsicum, cucumbers, table grapes.

Renmark: citrus

Tasmania

5 farms on Matey harvesting: carrots, onions, broccoli, salad greens, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, swedes.

Northern Territory

8 farms on Matey harvesting: mangoes, melons, table grapes, pearling (deckhands, pearl-farm crew), mangoes (honey gold), aquaculture (barramundi farm hands, harvest.

Darwin & Rural Area: mangoes Katherine: mangoes

Seasons move with the weather by a few weeks either way, so arrive a little before the peak and line up the next job while you are still on the current one. Every town page has live jobs and the local farms, with backpacker reviews as they come in. For which towns count toward the second year, see does my town count.

Other months

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Common follow-up questions

Where is the best farm work in October?

Mango season peaks in the Top End and starts on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland vegetables are still going, and the first southern strawberries and stone fruit appear. Towns in season include Bowen, Coffs Harbour, Carnarvon, Darwin & Rural Area, and Mildura.

Does October farm work count for the 88 days?

Yes, if it is plant and animal cultivation in an eligible regional postcode and paid at award rates, with payslips. The month does not matter; the work type, the postcode and the pay do.

Sources

General information, not migration or legal advice. Rules and pay rates change, so confirm anything your visa depends on with the official source.

Count your days as you go

Matey's free 88-day tracker logs each day with the farm and postcode, and keeps your payslips in one place for the visa application.

Open the 88-day tracker