Fruit picking in Australia to complete your 88 days of farm work is a common experience for many backpackers. Across the country, thousands of backpackers end up on farms completing jobs from planting, fruit picking, harvesting and pruning. Fruit picking in Australia differs by state, with some fruits primarily picked in areas that offer a more suitable environment.
Fruit Picking In Western Australia
Fruit picking in Western Australia takes place primarily in the southwestern region of the state. Margaret River, has over 200 vineyards is busiest during harvest season between mid-February to late March. Jobs include pruning the vines, picking the grapes, and ensuring the vines don’t sag by running metal wire along the top of the vines. The best way to find fruit picking in Margaret River is to visit the local areas and talk to locals or enquiring at hostels.
Along with grape picking, apple picking Donnybrook also provides backpackers with a steady income and a stream of work. The season runs from May to July and backpackers can expect to work at least 40-hour weeks with the option of overtime. Backpackers will also find cherry farms, avocado farms, plum farms, and pear farms. There are plenty of opportunities for backpackers looking for fruit picking in Western Australia.
Fruit Picking in South Australia
Fruit picking in South Australia takes place primarily around Adelaide within 20 miles of the Central business district. Fruit picking in Adelaide covers strawberry picking, orange picking and blueberry picking. Strawberry picking in Adelaide sees backpackers work between 4-8 hours a day picking strawberries in any weather. Strawberry farms Adelaide see their season run from November through to April.
Blueberry picking Adelaide is a shorter season and runs from December until February. Backpackers on a blueberry farm undertake picking duties, and work up to 6 days a week. Along with strawberry picking and blueberry picking South Australia offers jobs in orange, cherry and lime picking. To find more information on fruit picking in South Australia please see here.
Fruit Picking in Tasmania
Fruit picking in Tasmania varies over the three regions, north region, north west region and south regions. Backpackers looking for roles fruit picking in Tasmania will find farms for raspberries, grapes, and blueberries. Raspberries and blueberries are picked from December to May in the south region. Backpackers can work for up to 6 months, qualifying for both the second and third-year visa. A role in blueberry or raspberry picking in Tasmania requires physically fitness and a willingness to work more than 40 hours with flexible shifts.
Some farms require backpackers to be available for the full season of the fruit-picking harvest. This is similar to grape picking in Tasmania where the season runs from February to May, backpackers can also get jobs pruning between June to August. Other fruits available to pick during the year in the North West region of Tasmania include apples and cherries. These are available between February and May and December and February respectively.
Fruit Picking In New South Wales
Fruit picking in NSW varies depending on where you visit in the state. Fruit picking near Sydney is broken up by the weather season, with cherries and most berries grown in the summer, December – February. Coffs Harbour is the ideal place for a role on a blueberry farm which is seen to be one of the preferential options for backpackers. You will find farms to undertake fruit picking in autumn, march – may, which will focus on apples. Mandarins and oranges are prevalent in the winter season which runs from June to August.
To find a job in NSW it is important to check online as there are many opportunities available for backpackers. Websites such as Seek and Indeed or the Backpacker job board offer numerous opportunities. Cherry picking is considered the easiest of fruits to pick despite their size, they are robust and don’t bruise easily. Despite this fruit picking in NSW does require a certain level of physical fitness. This is due to the long hours required and the varying temperatures.
Fruit Picking in Victoria
Fruit picking in Victoria for backpackers revolves around pears, peaches and apples. These fruits are the most common and available for backpackers to pick up work to complete their 88 days of regional work. The season for pears in Victoria falls between February and April and would see backpackers picking in high temperatures. A certain level of physical fitness is required as hours can be long and frequent.
Peaches however have a longer season and therefore offer more opportunities for backpackers looking to complete their 6 months of regional farm work. Peach season runs from October through to April encompassing the summer but also going into autumn where temperatures will be more bearable. Apple season in Victoria runs from February to June. Apple picking work tends to start around 6 am and work will continue until 2 pm. This can be 6 or even 7 days a week depending on the farm. When looking for fruit picking work in Victoria, backpackers will also find work on cherry farms, orange farms and also strawberry farms.
Fruit Picking In Queensland
Fruit picking in Queensland is extremely common and varies depending on where you are located within the state. Over ⅓ of the fruit and vegetables produced in Australia are grown in Queensland making it a prime location to pick up fruit picking work. One location you will find fruit picking in Queensland is Ayr which is one of the largest areas in Australia for mango production. Mango picking in Queensland is a very physically demanding job with lots of picking, lifting and carrying involved. Backpackers are in very high demand from March – December for a variety of fruits including tomatoes and melons.
Another option for fruit picking in Queensland is for backpackers to head up to Caboolture. Strawberry picking Caboolture runs from March – November and offers a lot of jobs for backpackers. The area is one of Australia’s largest-producing strawberry regions. A good way to find fruit picking jobs in Queensland for backpackers is to stay at a working hostel. Other options for fruit picking in Queensland include pineapples and melons. ¼ of Australia’s watermelons are grown in Queensland in Chinchilla between December and April. You can find more information on fruit picking in Australia here.
Conclusion – Fruit Picking In Australia
To conclude fruit picking in Australia varies from state to state but provides a variety of options for backpackers looking to complete their 88 days of farm work. From grape picking in Margaret River to strawberry picking in Queensland backpackers will find work throughout Australia. Fruit picking in Australia provides backpackers a chance to meet fellow backpackers and learn new skills. Backpackers will find work throughout the country and can pick a fruit they feel is most suitable for them.