Apted's Orchards

Apted's Orchards has been farmed by the same family at Arthurs Creek since 1912, making it one of the longest-running orchards near Melbourne. Just an hour from the city, the farm combines a genuine working-orchard experience with beautiful valley views, and its roadside stalls at Arthurs Creek and Kinglake West are a local institution for farm-fresh produce and freshly squeezed apple juice.

What You Can Pick

• Cherries - summer, from late November
• Apples and pears - February to May, across heritage and modern varieties

Activities

• Picnicking among the fruit trees
• Roadside farm stalls stocked with fruit, vegetables and juice

Good to Know

U-pick runs on selected weekends only, roughly one weekend a month through the apple and pear season plus summer cherry weekends. Dates and pricing are announced on the farm's website and social media, and sessions are booked online, so plan ahead rather than turning up on spec. The Arthurs Creek stall is open daily if you just want to stock up, and the Kinglake West hut opens from Friday lunchtime through Monday or until sold out. The valley views from the picnic spots reward lingering, and autumn visits pair naturally with the drive through Arthurs Creek and Strathewen countryside.

Pro tip: follow their socials; picking weekends are announced there first and popular sessions fill quickly.