CHERRYHILL ORCHARDS

Welcome to CherryHill Orchards

At CherryHill Orchards, they’re not just growing Australia’s freshest, sweetest and juiciest cherries. They’re also growing moments of joy! Nestled between the rolling hills, temperate forests and fertile vineyards of Victoria’s Yarra Valley, CherryHill Orchards invites you to celebrate their cherry blossom season during Spring and cherry picking season throughout Summer.

Inhale the fresh air and embrace the wide-open spaces of the charming countryside, lined with endless rows of neatly planted cherry trees, and tinged with the subtle scent of cherry blossoms in Spring. As this cool climate region awakens from it’s winter slumber, trees welcome the warmth with a burst of brilliant blooms, which are celebrated in style at CherryHill Orchards’ annual Blossom Festival. Soon fleeting flowers make way for bountiful fruit, and visitors flock here to pick and taste the freshest and finest cherries straight from the trees.

With two productive orchards perched idyllically on either side of the Yarra Valley, CherryHill Orchards offer a tranquil setting to relax and enjoy a quaint country picnic or quality time with family and friends. The original orchard at Wandin East is huddled close to the Dandenong Ranges, while Coldstream is nestled amidst the region’s fertile vineyards and charming cellar doors.

While you’re there, stock up on some cherry treats, or sample a wide range of cherry-inspired artisan beverages and preserves at the friendly farmgate store. With characteristic country hospitality, CherryHill Orchards warmly welcomes guests of all abilities to come and feast on the abundant fresh flavours and fruits of their labour!

Growing Moments of Joy

From planting to picking, the flavoursome fruit of CherryHill Orchards is nurtured by nature and farmed with a focus on sustainability. The mild temperatures, long hours of summer sunshine and rich red volcanic soils of the Yarra Valley provide the perfect conditions for growing some of this country’s sweetest, juiciest cherries, including over 40 varieties for visitors to pick and enjoy each summer.

Over 39,000 cherry trees are planted across the two Yarra Valley orchards, arranged in neat rows with spacing between to allow for easy pruning, irrigation and picking. A cherry tree will take three to four years to produce its first crop, and seven years to attain full maturity. In early Spring, bare branches burst to life with a gently fragrant flourish of delicate white cherry blossoms. Soon this fleeting floral display falls, and trees begin to sprout lush green foliage followed by budding fruit around six to eight weeks later.

Bees are nature’s indispensable aids in the pollination process that transforms flowers to fruit. Cherry trees are particularly dependent on help from busy bees, because their flowers are quite small, with a relatively low nectar reward. Thankfully bees are attracted to the bright colours and sweet fragrance of cherry blossoms and are perfectly suited to assist in the pollination process.

As a third-generation agricultural business, CherryHill Orchards understands the importance of protecting the natural environment, and are actively working to ensure the sustainability of their operations into the future. Through water saving, recycling and water treatment programs, reduced use of single-use plastics and packaging, and the use of sustainably sourced energy, CherryHill Orchards strives to promote a fresher, fruitful tomorrow.

The Blossom Festival

Come and join us in the orchard for a fun-filled celebration of Spring at the annual CherryHill Blossom Festival!

The festival takes place from late September to early October, with the exact timing dictated by Mother Nature. It’s a time of almost magical transformation, as the bare tree branches that have laid dormant through winter burst into bloom, sprouting magnificent clusters of delicate white flowers. The fresh air is sweetened by the subtle scent of cherry blossoms, with light notes of lilac, rose, magnolia and a hint of almond-like aroma. The countryside seems to almost sing with new life, and a buzz of energy fills the air with quiet anticipation of warmer weather ahead.

The Blossom Festival hosts an exciting line-up of local makers, creators and food vendors, plus an engaging program of activities and workshops, including classes from a local beekeeper, educating guests on the importance of bees, sustainability and our food system. Meander along endless rows of cherry blossoms on a self-guided tour, or take a piece of the orchard home with you by purchasing your very own self-pollinating, fruiting cherry tree.

The Blossom Festival is held at CherryHill’s expansive 100-acre Coldstream orchard, situated in the heart of the Yarra Valley. You can register for tickets online at cherryhill.com.au. or by phoning them directly on 1300 243 779.

Pick Your Own Cherries

Delight in the sweet goodness of juicy cherries picked fresh from the farm at CherryHill Orchards during the sunny summer months.

From mid-November through to January, CherryHill’s friendly customer experience team is on hand to help you discover the simple pleasures of cherry picking. Your experience includes two hours of fruit-picking fun in the orchard, facilitated by a team of friendly orchard guides, who provide guidance on how to pick the best cherries fresh from the tree.

With picking bucket in hand, you will board a shuttle bus that transports you to the best picking locations. Cherry trees can grow very tall, but within the orchard they are pruned to a maximum height of six feet, meaning fresh fruit is within easy reach. Fossick between the large oval-shaped leaves to feel for the small and glossy round to heart-shaped fruit. The best fruit for picking should be firm to the touch, attached to the stem and have no cracks or splits in the smooth skin. Cherries range in colour from vibrant reds to deep purples, with darker fruit generally the ripest and sweetest.

And here’s the best bit – guests are welcome to eat as many cherries as their hearts and bellies desire during their picking session, transforming this tour into a flavourful fruity feast! Any cherries that do make it past your mouth to the picking bucket can be purchased, so you can take the fruits of your labour home, or savour their sweetness with a leisurely picnic in the orchard grounds. On weekends and public holidays, guests can also enjoy live music and tasty treats from visiting food vendors. Before heading home, drop in to the farmgate store to sample and stock up on an impressive range of artisan beverages and preserves, or indulge in some of CherryHill’s famous cherry ice-cream.

History

For over 80 years, CherryHill Orchards has been a proudly Australian-owned business, grown from humble beginnings, and passed down through three generations of passionate farming families.

The business was born with the planting of the first cherry tree in 1940 by the current owner’s grandfather, George Riseborough. From there it grew from a seed of inspiration planted in the fertile soils of the Yarra Valley, into one of Australia’s most successful cherry-growing enterprises. For over a decade, CherryHill’s continued growth has been overseen by George’s grandsons Glenn and Stephen Riseborough, who’ve carefully tended to the rapid growth of the business, which has expanded to include an additional six commercial orchards located across southern Australia’s premium growing regions. These carefully selected orchard locations allow CherryHill to enjoy one of the longest cherry growing seasons in the Southern Hemisphere, extending from mid-November right through to February.

Speaking of historical insights, did you know that cherries have pleased discerning palates for centuries, dating right back to ancient Roman times? They have held a special place in the spiritual and physical life of many cultures ever since. Cherries are often associated with life, rebirth and new beginnings. According to Greek mythology, cherries gave immortality to the gods, while Chinese folklore suggests the magical Phoenix slept on a bed of cherry blossoms to secure everlasting life. In Buddhist culture, the cherry symbolises fertility and femininity, while in Japanese culture the cherry blossom represents Spring, renewal and the fleeting nature of life. These days we continue to appreciate the value and many health benefits of this mini mighty superfruit. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and fibre, they’re the perfect sweet treat you can enjoy without a guilty aftertaste!

Accessibility

The team at CherryHill Orchards are genuinely eager to deliver an accessible and inclusive visitor experience for all, and are implementing a range of initiatives to make this possible.

CherryHill’s twin tourism orchards are perfectly positioned on either edge of the Yarra Valley, about one hour’s drive from Melbourne. If arriving by car, accessible parking bays are available close to the orchard entrance. If travelling by train, take the Lilydale line to Lilydale, then arrange a taxi or uber to get you the rest of the way. Unfortunately, the nearest bus stops (Lilydale for Coldstream and Seville for Wandin East) will also require a taxi or uber ride to get you to the farm gate. While Wandin East hosts the Blossom Festival, both orchards offer very similar facilities for cherry-picking. On arrival at either orchard, guests will be welcomed by the friendly customer experience team in bright red CherryHill T-shirts. These enthusiastic greeters are standing by to provide information and assistance. The main customer areas are quite level and free of steps. However, due to the natural landscape, there are some areas of uneven ground throughout the property.

An all-terrain vehicle is available to assist guests with limited mobility to navigate the orchard. Staff are more than happy to assist wherever possible. However, guests with mobility needs are encouraged to contact the orchard ahead of your visit to discuss the available options. Ambulant and unisex toilets with braille signage are available in the main customer area.

Registered assistance dogs are welcome, and there’s plenty of grassy areas throughout the orchard for animal toileting. Please remember to clean up after your furry friend. Handlers, please note that cherry pits, stems and leaves are poisonous to dogs, so take care during your visit. The Blossom Festival is a dog-friendly experience, so domestic pets may be present at this event.