Looking for a new way to celebrate this Australia Day? An afternoon spent picking new season apples and pears in the heart of country New South Wales sounds pretty good to us.
This Australia Day weekend marks the start of the 2014 Australian apple season and Pine Crest Orchard in Bilpin, NSW will again celebrate with their Australia Day Weekend Gala Day on Saturday, January 25.
Pine Crest has run their event for almost 10 years and with apple bobbing, farm tips and a classic Aussie sausage sizzle it’s s a great day out for the whole family. Pick-Your-Own apples, pears and plums are a highlight of the day.
Make a day of it and Pick-Your-Own fruit at the famous Pine Crest Orchard
- Gala Apples are in season and this stripy red, medium-sized apple has a crispness and sweetness that makes it one of Australia’s most popular varieties. Gala apples also store well in the fridge, but of course picking and eating one fresh from the tree is an experience worth experiencing!
- Williams and Sensation Pears, Nashi Pears and a variety of late-season plums will also be available to Pick-Your-Own.
Less than 90 minutes from Sydney, this special event gives everyone a chance to experience a fully operational fruit farm.
“Many people have only picked an apple from a supermarket and never straight from tree,” says John Galbraith, owner and orchardist at Pine Crest.
Having grown apples at Pine Crest Orchard for 40 years, John also teaches and lectures in horticulture and farming – specifically farming small areas.
“It is important people understand and value where their food comes from. Visiting a farm, walking through the orchard, seeing the growing process and eating the fresh produce at the end is a rewarding and easily accessible experience everyone can have.”
In addition to a full schedule of activities at Pine Crest this Saturday you can also chat with John and pick up tips on growing your own fruit.
Pine Crest is a family owned and operated orchard, there is no entrance fee for the event or for access to the orchard
- Pick-Your-Own fruit is $3.50 per kilo
- Jams, local honey, walnuts, cold drinks and Bilpin apple juice will also be available from the Pine Crest Orchard farm shed
Details
- Address: 2549 Bells Line of Road, Bilpin NSW (less than an hour and a half west from Sydney CBD)
- Time & Date: Gala Day – Saturday 25th January 2014, 9am – 5pm. The orchard is also open on Sunday and Monday of the Australia Day long weekend.
- Bring: Hat, sunscreen, camera, walking shoes. Your own fabric or plastic bag is encouraged.
Can’t make it this weekend?
Pine Crest Orchard will be open for Pick-Your-Own on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from 9am-5pm during the fruit season.
For more details visit pinecrestorchard.com.au or facebook.com/pinecrestorchard or email John at john@pinecrestorchard.com
Happy picking!
Photos courtesy of Pine Crest Orchard
About JJ
By the end of the 15th century, 35
Europe, and in Ancient Russia
handwritten books were made,