With golden skies over Coldstream and the festive spirit alive in the air, CherryHill Orchards has officially opened the gates to its 2025 cherry-picking season. Just 1.5 hours from Melbourne, the beloved Yarra Valley destination is once again inviting visitors to slow down and savour the sweet side of summer.
Rows of ripening cherries stretch across sun-drenched orchards, dotted with picnic blankets, laughter, and the quiet joy of families filling buckets together. From fruit picked fresh off the tree to scoops of cherry ice cream, handcrafted market stalls, and even a visit from Santa, the season kicked off with everything you’d want in a summer day out heartfelt, playful, and full of flavour.
Cherry Picking Day Trip in Melbourne’s Yarra Valley
There’s something unexpectedly joyful about plucking a sun-warmed cherry straight from the tree and tasting it in the moment juicy, sweet, and a little messy in the best way. At CherryHill, that simple pleasure sits at the heart of the experience. You’re not just fruit picking; you’re soaking up summer with your hands, your senses, and your smile.
The Coldstream orchard makes it easy to stretch a short visit into a full, feel-good day. Rows of cherry trees invite slow wandering, red buckets slowly filling up with the season’s ripest picks. There are shaded spots to rest, friendly staff ready with tips, and cherry ice cream, juice, and cider all flowing nearby.
No picnic basket? No problem. The on-site store is part produce stand, part treasure chest, stocked with cherry-spiked goodies, local gems, and a cherry blossom gin you’ll be tempted to take home (or at least sip on the spot).
More Than Just Fruit: Sip, Shop and Take Home the Cheer
Step inside the farmgate store and the cherry-picking experience extends well beyond the orchard. It’s festive, fragrant, and full of charm, shelves lined with small-batch cherry jams, cherry blossom soaps, and cider cans in the prettiest shades of pink and plum.
There’s a thoughtful mix of local finds too: Yarra Valley Monopoly boards, handmade shower steamers, cherry-themed plushies, and lip balms that smell good enough to eat. It’s the kind of place where you walk in for a drink and walk out with unexpected gifts.
For the adults, the “Pick a Paddle” tasting is a clear highlight, a curated trio of cherry vodka, cherry blossom gin, and Klar, served with mixers. Pair it with a cherry spritz in the sunshine and the whole experience takes on a sparkling, grown-up twist.
It’s part farm shop, part cellar door, and all heart, a space that reflects CherryHill’s joyfully generous spirit.
Launch Weekend Highlights and What’s Still to Come
CherryHill’s 2025 season officially began on December 1st, and Coldstream came alive. Families trickled in early, baskets swinging, and many lingered long after the picking, relaxing under shady trees or wandering the charming Christmas Market. Held on December 20–21, the market added an extra layer of magic with artisan stalls, a visit from Santa, and that unmistakable pre-Christmas buzz. It felt less like an event and more like a celebration unfolding in real time.
But the magic doesn’t stop at sunset.
Over at CherryHill’s Wandin East orchard, the Twilight Cherry Picking experience is set to return on December 22–24. If you’ve only picked fruit by daylight, this offers something completely different: warm golden hour fading into dusk, fairy lights overhead, and picnic dinners shared as the stars come out over the Yarra Valley.
It’s cherry picking, elevated, softer, slower, and touched with something cinematic.
All-You-Can-Eat Cherries, Tickets & Tips to Plan Your Visit
What makes CherryHill stand out isn’t just the sheer volume of sweet, glossy cherries. It’s how relaxed and welcoming the whole experience feels. Once inside, you’re free to roam the orchard, picking (and tasting) as many cherries as you like straight from the tree. There’s no pressure, no pace to keep just you, the trees, and the quiet delight of filling your basket with sun-warmed fruit.
Ticket prices:
- Weekdays: Adults $22.50, Children $13, Family $60
- Weekends: Adults $25, Children $15, Family $70
- Infants under 3: Free
Tickets include access to the orchard grounds, picnic areas, cherry picking, and the beloved farmgate café and store.
Planning to attend a Twilight session in Wandin? The pricing is the same but the feel is something else entirely. Think: golden hour light, cooler air, and space to pause and take it all in.
Personal tip: Bring a cooler bag if you're planning to take cherries home, wear a hat (trust me on this one), and whatever you do, don’t skip the cherry ice cream. It’s as refreshing as it is photogenic.
Cherry Ice Cream, Christmas Stalls & Orchard Treasures
CherryHill isn’t just about the picking; it’s about discovering how many joyful ways cherries can be part of summer. After filling your bucket, the farmgate store welcomes you with an irresistible line-up of cherry-infused goodies. From refreshing cherry ice cream to bottled juices, balsamic glazes, and gift-boxed preserves, there’s something to treat yourself or someone else.
For those of us with festive spirits in full swing, the Coldstream orchard’s Christmas Market was a surprise highlight. Held on 20 and 21 December, it felt like stepping into a local fair, complete with charming handmade gifts, last-minute festive finds, and even a visit from Santa and the CFA.
The sweetest detail? “Christmas Alley”, a dedicated space where families (and yes, grown-ups too) could have their holiday photos. Think: rustic orchard magic meets Hallmark moment.
Whether you’re a foodie, a last-minute gifts, or just someone looking for a warm afternoon with meaning, the mix of market stalls and orchard produce felt grounded and generous, like the season itself.
My Visit: Picking Cherries, Sharing Laughs, and Slowing Down
I didn’t expect the orchard to feel this alive.
Walking through rows of sun-warmed trees, the air smelt faintly sweet, and my hands were quickly stained with cherry juice – the best kind of summer souvenir. Families wandered with baskets, kids reaching for fruit just out of their height, and couples paused for selfies under leafy arches. It wasn’t just about the cherries. It was about the feeling of summer finally showing up.
I picked more than I needed. And still, not enough.
There was something grounding in the simplicity of being surrounded by nature, tasting fruit seconds after picking it, and seeing everyone soften in the sunlight. I stopped often just to look around. To breathe. To feel.
And when I reached the farm café for a scoop of cherry ice cream and a cold drink, I could’ve stayed there for hours. No rush. No noise. Just people enjoying the moment.
Twilight Cherry Picking in Melbourne: A Summer Night in Yarra Valley
Just when you think the orchard has given you everything, daylight fades, and CherryHill’s twilight sessions begin. Held on December 22, 23 and 24 at the Wandin East location, this evening cherry-picking experience turns the orchard into something even more magical.
Golden hour rolls into soft twilight, and the trees start to glow. Families bring out picnic rugs, couples pour sparkling drinks into plastic glasses, and kids continue picking with sticky fingers and wide eyes. It feels like a garden party tucked inside the Yarra Valley.
There’s no rush. The sky deepens. Conversations get quieter. Laughter carries more easily in the cooler air.
And all of it, the cherries, the views, the low sun dipping behind the hills feels like a memory forming in real time.
If you’ve never tried cherry-picking under the stars, this is your sign.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Cherry Hill Visit
Whether it’s your first time or your annual tradition, here are a few simple suggestions to make your cherry-picking day sweet, smooth, and social-feed worthy:
- Go early (or at twilight): Mornings offer gentler light and fewer crowds, while twilight sessions (22–24 Dec at Wandin East) give you golden-hour magic and a quieter atmosphere.
- Bring a picnic rug: The orchard has plenty of green space to spread out; it’s the kind of setting where a simple sandwich tastes gourmet.
- Wear comfy shoes: Between orchard rows and market stalls, you’ll walk more than you expect. Dress light, and don’t forget your hat.
- Don’t skip the farmgate café: The cherry ice cream is a must, and their sparkling cherry drinks hit the spot on warm afternoons.
- Book ahead: Popular dates fill fast, especially weekends and twilight sessions. Early bird tickets mean better times (and better lighting for photos).
- Leave room in your bag: From cherry jams to bottles of cherry cider, the on-site shop is full of take-home treats that extend the experience.
A Summer Tradition That’s Sweet for the Soul
Cherry Hill isn’t just about cherries. It’s about making space in your schedule and in your heart for experiences that feel both festive and grounding.
In a year full of fast-moving moments, a day at the orchard reminded me to slow down, soak up the sun, and reconnect with simplicity. Whether it was picking fruit with sticky hands, watching families laugh under cherry trees, or sharing cold cherry drinks with new friends, the whole thing felt like the kind of summer day you try to hold onto.
So if you’re craving a seasonal experience that tastes as good as it looks, this one’s for you.
Tickets and Dates for CherryHill Orchards’ 2025 Season
Cherry picking season at CherryHill Orchards is officially open from 1 December 2025, with sessions running daily at Coldstream and select twilight evenings at Wandin East on 22, 23 and 24 December.
Tickets start from $22.50 and are available now at cherryhill.com.au. Book early, Popular dates, especially weekends and twilight sessions, tend to sell out quickly.
All images in this article were taken by Glamorazzi contributor, Sreekanth Reddy Mule
Disclaimer: Glamorazzi represented by Sreekanth Reddy Mule attended the CherryHill Orchards Cherry Picking Season Media Open Day on Thursday 4th Dec 2025, invited by Little Train Creative. All opinions expressed are original and our own.
