Young
Host: Mike Whitney
Mike’s headed to the “Cherry Capital” of Australia – Young!
First settled in 1826, the township of Young has grown from a humble sheep station to the thriving regional centre we see today.
Widely known as the ‘Cherry Capital of Australia’ the area boasts many cherry and stonefruit orchards, some offering ‘pick your own’. Highlights of the year include Cherry Blossom in September/October and the National Cherry Festival in late November/early December.
National Cherry Festival
30th Nov, 1st & 2nd Dec 2007
During late November and early December, the whole district comes alive with the excitement of the National Cherry Festival and all its different activities.
Events include the Big Breakfast, Heritage Day - featuring sheep dog trials and amusements for the whole family, followed by a retail market day, street parade and a concert/street party.
A number of orchards and wineries produce local product with many roadside stalls showcasing jams, preserved fruits and cherry wine, as well as chocolate coated prunes and sauces,
During festival time, the Cherry King & Queen are crowned. They are crowned on the basis that they raise money for charity, as well as having good general knowledge of Young.
Cherryhaven Orchards
If you are passionate about cherries then drop into Cherryhaven and check out the coffee shop and cherry shop, open to visitors and coach groups. They serve a range of morning and afternoon teas, light snacks and cherry pies, jams, sauces, chutneys, fresh fruit and other local produce.
Cherryhaven Orchard is one of Young's largest cherry orchards and now also offers visitors the chance to pick their own cherries in season, alongside other delicious fresh fruit including, plums, peaches and nectarines.
It produces delicious fresh fruit 6 months of the year. There’s a huge packing shed with tours available in season. There’s also a camping ground for fruit pickers.
Just look for the big cherry out the front.
Their fruit season starts early November with cherries and leads through to stone fruits until April. They produce cherries, plums, nectarines and peaches. Approx 800 tonnes of fruit is harvested every year.
Everything is hand-picked and packed on the premises by seasonal workers.
Pick your own
When you want to pick your own cherries, these guys take you on a bit of a tour of the farm & fill you in on the cherry story. Jump in the ute and off you go.
Then up a ladder and get picking. BYO bucket OR they give you buckets and then just fill it up. It’s a minimum of 1kg and that costs generally around $7-$8/kilo depending on the market.
Pack-house Tours
When the season is in full swing, the packing shed is pumping. This is where the fruit comes in and it gets graded into sizes, then washed and packed. It gives you a chance to see how labour intensive cherries actually are.
Some of the tours include morning tea, this means a cherry pie and cream with tea or coffee. Gotta love that!
Seasonal Work
Whether it’s the cherry season, plums, nectarines or peaches…or any other fruit really, seasonal work is a fabulous way to earn a bit of cash as you make your way around our great state.
You’re paid on the amount that you pick and the quicker you pick, the more money you make. But if you want, you can just take your time.
On site these guys have caravan park-like facilities for the workers so you can rock on up in your motorhome and spend some time picking…and eating…the fruit…and making a little cash too. What a life!
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More Information Cherryhaven Orchards Olympic Highway, Young Telephone: (02) 6382 4023 www.cherryhavenorchards.com.au Open everyday during harvest. Before you head to the farm, give them a call and make a booking. |
JD's Jam Factory
JD's Jam Factory on Grenfell Rd, at the northern edge of town, is an award-winning tourist attraction which combines an orchard, a fruit processing plant and a sales outlet where you can purchase items from the ‘Young Maid’ brand of products, including 118 different varieties of jams, preserves, sauces, pickles and chutneys and excellent cherry pies.
You can view the packing shed, the grading process, and the manufacture of the jam. There are also free orchard tours where, in November and December you can wander among the cherry blossoms and take in the excellent views. Devonshire teas, pies and ice-cream are available from the tea room and fresh cherries and other stone fruits can be purchased in season. It is open daily from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
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More Information JD’s Jam Factory Grenfell Road, Young Telephone: (02) 6382 4060 |
Winnebago 23’ Birdsville C 2394 Motorhome
Hit the road in your own Winnebago. It’s literally a home on wheels with double beds, toilet, shower, hot water, air conditioning and fridge. It’s as easy to drive as the family wagon and great way to discover NSW. Hire one for a weekend or buy your own.
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More Information Winnebago Sales and hire Ph: 1800 102 201 |