Cherry picking at CherryHill Orchards Wandin East runs through to 8 January 2027, with all-you-can-eat cherries during a two-hour session. This guide covers the shuttle ride, hills, prams, food and what to bring.
Wandin East is where CherryHill planted its first cherry trees in 1940, and it still has a rustic, working-farm feel. You get rolling lawns, big views and an on-site café, about an hour from the Melbourne CBD.
Every summer we pick a sunny day and head out to pick the freshest, plumpest cherries for friends and family. The Blossom Festival has wrapped up for the year, the blossoms are done and the fruit is growing. Wandin East usually opens a little after Coldstream, so check the booking page for your first session.
When is the Cherry Picking Festival in Victoria?
CherryHill’s cherry-picking season runs from 13 November 2026 to 8 January 2027 across both orchards. Wandin East has opened later than Coldstream in the past, so look for your exact first day when you book.
Cherry season in Victoria usually starts in mid-November and runs through to early January. CherryHill grows more than 30 varieties, and different ones ripen as summer goes on.
Cherry Picking at Wandin East: What to Expect
474 Queens Rd, Wandin East VIC 3139
You book a timed two-hour session online and arrive at the time on your ticket. If you run late, you can still get in for up to 15 minutes after your slot starts. Allow extra time for getting in and out of the orchard and for the café.
You eat as many cherries as you like while you pick. Cherries you put in your bucket are charged per kilo at the end.
You take a shuttle bus to the pick-your-own rows. Staff direct you to the best ones, so there’s no real need to go “cherry-picking” the best fruit. It’s all good.
Highlights for Kids
- Free, unlimited cherry tasting while you pick
- Low-hanging fruit that comes off the stem easily
- A shuttle bus ride to the orchard
- Rolling lawns for picnics and running around
- Cherry ice cream at the café
Cherry picking at Wandin suits kids because there’s plenty of low fruit. Little hands can reach it without a boost.
After picking, we always head to the café for the famous cherry ice cream.
Cherry-picking Wandin is particularly suitable for kids because there’s lots of low-hanging fruit which are easy to remove from the stem.
You’re directed to which rows are good for picking, so there’s no real need to go ‘cherry-picking’ the best fruit as it’s all good! Taste tests are unlimited and free :)
What Parents Need to Know
Tickets and Booking
Book your timeslot online before you go. On weekdays, tickets are sometimes sold at the gate if there’s space. On weekends and public holidays, there are no gate sales at all.
Weekends and public holidays cost more than weekdays. Prices for the 2026 season show when you book.
Children aged 0 to 3 need a ticket, but it’s free. CherryHill gives 10% off for pensioner, Health Care and DVA Gold cardholders. Carers with a Companion Card get in free.
If you cancel or change your booking more than 3 days ahead, you get a full refund or a new date. Ticket Protection, which you add at checkout, lets you change your booking right up to your arrival time.
Prams and Hills
The paths in the main customer areas are wide and suit prams. The pick-your-own rows are a different story. This is a working farm, and you take a shuttle bus to the orchard, where some rows sit on steep hills.
Taking kids in prams is harder here, and a carrier makes life easier with little ones. CherryHill has all-terrain vehicles for guests with mobility needs. Call 1300 243 779 before you visit to plan around a pram, wheelchair or mobility aid.
Toilets and Baby Change
There are all-gender accessible toilets near the main customer areas, and they have baby change facilities. Out at the orchard, we find porta-loos and no baby change.
Food and Drink
The café and farmgate store sell cherry ice cream, cherry drinks and cherry treats. Food vendors set up on weekends and public holidays.
You’re welcome to bring a picnic to eat on the lawns. You can’t bring BBQs, stoves or your own alcohol, but you can buy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on site.
Parking
Parking is free on site, close to the main entrance. There are accessible bays and drop-off areas too.
Dogs
Dogs aren’t allowed in the orchard during cherry season. Registered assistance animals are welcome. Cherry pits, stems and leaves are poisonous to dogs.
Safety With Little Ones
Keep an eye on young kids. The rows make a great hiding place, and there’s a partly unfenced dam at the end.
What to Bring
- A hat, sunscreen and a water bottle
- Flat, closed-in shoes (you may walk 5 to 10 minutes to the best rows)
- Cash or card, and your ticket on your phone
- A picnic rug if you plan to stay on the lawn
Book an early slot if you can. It’s cooler, and the orchard is open to the sun.
Cheese, Cherries + Chocolate
Indulge in a delightful Cheese Cherries & Chocolate day trip experience at CherryHill Orchards Coldstream this year!
Savour the perfect pairing of fresh, juicy cherries with artisanal cheeses in a picturesque orchard setting. This unique tasting journey thanks to Yarra Valley Dairy, offers a burst of flavours, making it a must-try for food lovers and a perfect outing with friends.
Wandin East or Coldstream?
Both orchards have lots of sweet cherries, ice cream, drinks and merchandise. They feel different.
Wandin East is the original orchard, with a rustic farm vibe. Coldstream is newer and a bit bigger, with a large picnic lawn, a modern café and a kids’ play area. It’s also where CherryHill runs its mid-week wine and cheese experiences.
If you want to compare, read our guide to CherryHill Orchards Coldstream.
Make It a Half-Day Trip
Cherry picking pairs well with other stops nearby:
- Warratina Lavender Farm
- Seville Water Park
- Blue Lotus Water Garden
- Local vineyards and breweries, if the grown-ups need a treat
If you don’t have time to pick, drop into the farmgate store for a box of cherries. CherryHill cherries are also sold at Coles and your local grocer.
DON’T MISS OUT!
Book Cherry Picking
FAQs
When is cherry picking at CherryHill Wandin East in 2026?
CherryHill’s cherry-picking season runs from 13 November 2026 to 8 January 2027 across both orchards. Wandin East has opened later than Coldstream in past seasons, so check the booking page for your first session.
Do I need to book cherry picking at Wandin East?
Yes. Book a timed session online before you go. On weekdays, gate tickets are sometimes available if there’s space. There are no gate sales on weekends or public holidays.
How long is a cherry picking session?
A session is two hours. Arrive at the time on your ticket, and you can enter up to 15 minutes late. After your session, you can stay on site until the orchard closes at 5pm.
Is Wandin East pram friendly?
The main customer areas have wide paths that suit prams. The pick-your-own rows are reached by shuttle bus, and some sit on steep hills, so prams are harder to manage. Call 1300 243 779 before you visit if you need help with mobility.
Do babies and toddlers need a ticket?
Children aged 0 to 3 need a ticket, but it’s free.
Can I bring my dog to cherry picking?
No. Dogs aren’t allowed in the orchard during cherry-picking season. Registered assistance animals are welcome.
Can I bring a picnic to CherryHill Orchards?
Yes. You can picnic on the lawns, but you can’t bring BBQs, stoves or your own alcohol. The café sells food and drinks too.
What’s the difference between the Wandin East and Coldstream orchards?
Wandin East is the original orchard with a rustic farm feel. Coldstream is newer, with a large picnic area, a modern café and a kids’ play area. Both have cherry picking, ice cream and a farmgate store.
For more fruit picking fun check out The Strawberry Forest in Bacchus Marsh and Tuckerberry Hill in Drysdale.
Click here for more things to do in the Yarra Valley with kids
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