Harben Vale Cherry Farm – Balhannah South Australia

If you like Cherries like me, another orchard you should visit is Harben Vale Cherries in Balhannah SA 5242. Located on Altmanns road, this orchard is about 100 hectares and produce Beef cattle, Potatoes and Cherries. This is a family owned farm which was with Altmann’s family for some 160 years.

They have started growing Cherries for about 10 to 12 years now and has a very open rural outlook rather than the steeper more traditional areas around Lenswood. You will find ample free parking in the property. This orchard has about 8 main Cherry varieties grown in 3 Hectares. Picking is easy since the trees are well trained and you can easily pick Cherries without using ladders.

Cherry season is a short 2 month period normally from December to January each year. Produce might even finish before the end of the season depending of the number of people visiting farms, So always call or check their web site before visiting. Current farm managers, Wayne and Julie Altman are very friendly people and they would be happy to help if you contact them.

When visiting, it is better to wear shoes in which you can easily walk on grass. Since it will be summer, hats are also recommended. Buckets will be provided to all visitor groups to pick Cherries into so you do not want to take anything for collecting what you pick. At the time I visited, they did not charge any admission fee and one kilo of Cherries were sold for $ 5. These prices can always change so I recommend you to check with the owners before picking since whatever you pick, you should buy. Since these Cherries are fresh you can keep them for few weeks without any problems, if you freeze you may even be able to keep them for few months. But I like to consume them within 2 – 3 weeks from picking.

Address : Altmanns Road, Balhannah 5242.
Phone : 04 3900 1962
EMail : wjaltman@adam.com.au
Web : http://harbenvale.com/

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Marble Hill Cherry Farm – Ashton South Australia

Like to pick your own Cherries, then good place to visit is the Marble Hill Cherry farm located in Ashton SA 5137. This family operated farm is usually a pick your own farm meaning most of their produce is picked and bought by people who visit the farm in Cherry season like us.

Ashton is hill country so on your way to the farm you will encounter great scenery, also be careful and drive safe since some roads are windy and narrow.

Cherry season is a short 2 month period normally from December to January and depending on the number of people visiting Cherries might finish even before the season end, so always call or check their web site before going.

Cherry orchard has uneven ground (slope), so make sure to wear something you can easily walk in slopes and grass. Hats are also suggested. If you are travelling with young children and like to stay behind, you can stay in the scenic shed. It is having plenty of chairs. The management is also very kind, they provide free cool drinking water and ice cream for a small amount. If you like to continue cherry picking with young children then a child carrier sling is suggested.

Normally entrance fee is $ 5 and they will provide a bucket as the container to hold the Cherries you pick. Whatever amount of Cherries you pick should be payed for ($ 8 per Kilo). On your entry it is better to check the price since it change every year. Since Cherries can be kept fresh for about 2 weeks in fridge make sure to pick only the amount you want.

Address: Marble Hill Cherries, 25 Marble Hill Rd, Ashton, SA 5137.
Phone: (08) 8390 0327, 04 1136 1651
EMail: marblehillcherries@cherriessa.com.au
Web: http://www.marblehillcherries.com

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Beerenberg Strawberry Farm – Hahndorf South Australia

If you like Strawberries and would like to pick your own, then there is a good place you can do it in Hahndorf South Australia.

It is called Beerenberg Strawberry farm, located on the Mount Barker road. If you are planning to visit them to pick your own strawberries you need to visit them from October to May which is the Strawberry season. Else you can buy their produce from the shop.

Normally they are open everyday except Christmas day from 9:00AM to 04:00PM. Anyway it is always good idea to give them a call before going.

There is enough parking on site and there will be a helper on busy days.

Once you are there you can visit the shop to get permission to enter the patch. When I was there entry was $ 3 per person. They will also provide containers to bring the Strawberries you pick. Remember to pick whatever amount of Strawberries you would like to buy. Normally you can keep them from few days to about 10 days in fridge (obviously you can keep bit more days than this but then they wont be tasting fresh). Once you have enough Strawberries picked you can bring them back to the shop where they will weigh it, so you can pay. While I was there they sold a Kilo of Strawberry for $ 9, but the price always changes from season to season, so it is always best to check the price they are selling before heading to the Strawberry patch.

If you are travelling with young children, I do not recommend a pram since the ride will be bumpy, best is to use a child carrier sling.

Address: Beerenberg Strawberry Farm,
Mount Barker Road Hahndorf,
South Australia, 5245
Phone: +61 8 8388 7272
Fax: +61 8 8388 1108
Email: admin@beerenberg.com.au
Web: http://www.beerenberg.com.au/

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