In Australia, eating fruit really depends on the month. When fruit isn’t in season, it’s often either not sweet or very expensive. Eating at the right time makes a very noticeable difference.
Best Fruits to Eat from December to February – Peak Summer
This is the best time of year for fruit in Australia.
Cherries are at their best from December to January, mainly from Victoria, while Tasmanian cherries come slightly later.
Lychees run from December to February, mostly from Queensland, and recent batches have been very sweet.
Strawberries are available from December to February. Supermarkets sometimes label a “Sweetest batch,” which is slightly better, and farm-picked strawberries are also better, but overall Australian strawberries are still quite disappointing.
Mangoes are a classic summer fruit from November to February, with the most reliable quality in December and January. There are many varieties each year with noticeable flavour differences, and we personally like Maha the most.
Grapes have many varieties available. From December to January, common seedless grapes are widely available. From January to February, varieties like Shine Muscat and Kyoho are more common.
Peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, watermelon, and various melons are all in stable supply from December onwards.
Best Fruits to Eat from March to May – Transition from Summer to Autumn
Autumn Crisp grapes are at their best during this period.
Figs have a short season but are in excellent condition.
New-season apples and pears start appearing, and avocados become more plentiful with more variety to choose from.
Best Fruits to Eat from June to August – Winter
This is citrus season in Australia. Oranges, mandarins, and lemons are at their best and mainly locally grown.
Grapefruit, kiwifruit, apples, and pears are also available, with apples and pears mostly coming from cold storage but maintaining fairly stable quality.
Best Fruits to Eat from September to October – Spring
Strawberries start to become available again from October.
Kiwifruit and citrus are in their late season, along with some early-season melons and other fruits.
