For the best tasting fruit, nothing beats eating your own freshly picked fruit from an orchard. There are many orchards around Australia that open to the public for pick-your-own days, but many orchards prohibit pet dogs from visiting. Instead, head to one of these pick-your-own orchards where your dog is welcome!
#1 Nicoletti Orchards, near Stanthorpe, QLD
Available to pick: Wide range of apples, sunflowers
The Stanthorpe region is well-known for its vineyards, home to the Granite Belt wine region. But it’s also the top apple growing region in Queensland, thanks to its high altitude and cold temperatures during winter, essential for apple trees.
During my recent visit to the region, we headed to Nicoletti Orchards. This orchard is about a 20 minute drive north of Stanthorpe in Pozieres and is regularly open to the public.
Pick-your-own events are held during weekends in March and April each year, the peak apple picking season, with entry tickets available on their website. A diverse range of apples are available for you to pick, including their delicious Kanzi apples, as pictured above. Plus, they also have a stunning sunflower patch open for pickings.
Dogs are welcome to join you, including in the orchard. Just make sure you supervise them, the same as any children. There is also a picnic area available on the grounds, plus an onsite orchard shop for purchases of their juices and ciders.
#2 Eastern Colour, near Stanthorpe, QLD
Available to pick: Five varieties of apples, strawberries
For more pick-your-own fun near Stanthorpe, head to Eastern Colour. This farm in Applethorpe doesn’t only grow apples (with five varieties grown on the farm, plus some small plantings of pears), but also big, sweet strawberries.
Due to the different growing season for strawberries and apples, they hold events at different times of the year. For instance, they held pick-your-own events for strawberries on 11th and 12th October 2025. Pick-your-own events for apples are held from February through to May, with the next pick-your-own royal gala apples and strawberry day being held on 14th and 15th February 2026.
No entry fee is charged – just pay by the tray for the fruit that you pick (cash only). And yes, your leashed dog is welcome to join you at their farm on pick-your-own days.
#3 TNT Produce, Bilpin, NSW
Available to pick: Wide variety of fruit and vegetables including apples, strawberries, persimmons, plums, peaches, cucumbers, zucchinis, chillies, sunflowers
Further south in NSW, one of the top apple growing spots close to Sydney is the village of Bilpin, located in the northern part of the Blue Mountains. During the summer and autumn months many of the orchards are open for pick-your-own, with dates varying depending on the fruits grown by each orchard.
While most orchards previously didn’t allow pets to join you, a growing number are now welcoming leashed pets, including TNT Produce. One of the largest farms in Bilpin, they offer a variety of fruit and vegetables to be picked, including apples, strawberries and persimmons. Check their Facebook page for what’s currently available to pick.
During picking season, make a booking on their website for their pick-your-own days. While closed over the winter months, check back from late September or October for their first opening days of the season. Leashed dogs are welcome to join you, including on their shuttle bus, used for when picking takes place at more distant parts of the orchard.
TNT Produce is also home to an onsite cafe, serving up light meals, sweet treats (including apple pies, of course) and coffee. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables of the cafe – just skip sitting at the inside tables. When passing through the building to the pick-your-own entry, skip entering the cafe area with your dog.
#4 Pine Crest Orchard, Bilpin, NSW
Available to pick: Cherries, plums, peaches, apples, sunflowers
Another dog-friendly orchard in Bilpin is Pine Crest Orchard. Dogs are welcome at this orchard as long as they are kept on a leash at all times.
This orchard firstly opens in November for cherry picking, followed by plums and peaches in December and January, then apples from late January to April. They even have sunflower picking days!
Generally they are open for pick-your-own only on weekends, both Saturdays and Sundays, with no advance bookings required. Check out their Facebook page for the latest information.
#5 Pick Your Own Oranges, Dooralong, NSW
Available to pick: Navel and Valencia oranges
For a different experience, rather than picking apples or strawberries, instead try picking your own oranges at Pick Your Own Oranges Dooralong. This orange orchard is located inland from the Central Coast, about a 20 minute drive from Wyong. If driving north from Sydney, take the Tuggerah exit then head west for about 20 minutes.
It’s necessary to keep your eye on the farm’s Facebook page and local news to find out when pick-your-own days are being held. Generally picking of navel orange occurs around August and September, while Valencia oranges are picked later in November.
It’s a great kid-friendly event, with the chance to meet farm animals and pony rides offered. There is usually, but not always, a coffee van and sausage sizzle on site. Plus, leashed dogs are welcome.
#6 Ballinaclash Orchard, Young, NSW
Available to pick: Cherries, sometimes apricots
The region around Young in NSW is well-known for its cherries, producing some of the best cherries in the country just in time for Christmas. While I haven’t yet tried picking my own cherries, freshly picked cherries are definitely the tastiest!
Ballinaclash Orchard and Cellar Door is located just south of the outskirts of Young. While the cellar door is open year round for wine tastings, they also open up their cherry orchard for pick-your-own each year in November and December.
Generally, the cherry picking season lasts about six weeks, but either check their social media closer to year’s end for the exact dates, or subscribe to their newsletter. Book on their website, with a small entry fee charge for entry to their orchard. When ripe, there’s also the option to pick-your-own apricots. There’s also a picnic area and farmyard animals to meet.
According to their FAQ, dogs are allowed in their orchard, although keep them well away from the shed. However, they do insist that dogs must be leashed, not disturb others and always be immediately cleaned up after, otherwise you will be asked to leave.
#7 The Berry Dairy, Maffra, VIC
Finally, if you’re located in Victoria, head to The Berry Dairy. This strawberry farm is located just outside of Maffra in Gippsland, about a 2.5 hour drive east of Melbourne. It’s also a great day out if you’re staying nearby in Lakes Entrance.
While I haven’t visited this farm in person, according to their FAQ friendly dogs on a leash are allowed throughout the farm. Pick your own strawberries and enjoy a treat in the cafe (with Dog Yog available for four-legged customers). There’s also a dedicated off-leash dog area, plus multiple playgrounds and a petting zoo for kids.
The farm is open to the public from Thursday to Monday roughly between October and May. Check out their social media for updates on strawberry availability.
Tips for Visiting Orchards
- With picking seasons varying from year to year, it’s always best to check the latest opening details in advance (including on Facebook pages). Sometimes harvesting occurs late or ends early.
- While some orchards charge an entry fee (and may require advance booking), often to keep visitor numbers manageable, other orchards only charge for the fruit that you pick.
- Double check that dogs are still welcome, as sometimes the rules can change. And always keep your dog leashed.
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About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.