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CHERRY SEASON IN THE SOUTHERN FORESTS LOOKS SWEET

Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival returns on 13 December to celebrate the region’s most delicious time of year.


There’s a buzz of excitement in the air as the Southern Forests’ cherry trees are showing beautiful blossom and fruit set after last season’s tough conditions that resulted in some growers losing 90% of their harvest. Orchardists across the region are quietly optimistic that the 2025 cherry season will be one to savour.


Behind the scenes, investment in cherries in the Southern Forests is building. Growers such as Newton Orchards in Manjimup are expanding cherry plantings and testing new varieties to meet domestic and export demand, while the region more broadly is taking up modern cropping practices — including netting, rain-covers and advanced irrigation monitoring — to better protect the crop against weather risk and maintain fruit quality. 


This year, the trees are looking healthy and strong after a cold, wet winter provided the perfect foundation for a good crop. While the cherries are running a little later than usual (around two to three weeks behind schedule), that just means the anticipation is building even more.


“We saw great blossom and the fruit set is looking good, and if the weather stays kind, we should have beautiful cherries ready just in time for the festival,” said local grower George Grozotis of Cherry Lane Fields (pictured), WA’s largest single cherry orchard.  “It’s shaping up to be a good year, but cherries keep us on our toes — a lot can still happen before harvest.”


The Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival will be held on Saturday, 13 December 2025, showcasing the local produce, talent, and community spirit of the Southern Forests.


Visitors can expect:


Festival weekend is also the perfect time to explore the Southern Forests Cherry Trail, a self-drive experience where you can meet growers and buy cherries fresh from the farm gate. The 2025 Cherry Trail Map is now available at southernforestsfood.com/cherrytrail.


While the Cherry harvest outlook is promising, local growers know that they are one of the most weather-sensitive fruits.


“Last year’s challenges reminded everyone how precious this short, sweet season really is,” said Dr Arthur Wilson, Chair of the Southern Forests Food Council.


“This year, we’re celebrating our growers, our community, and the joy of sharing truly fresh, local produce from right here in the Southern Forests. Whatever the season brings, there’s always something to celebrate in our region.”


Make the most of the celebrations by:

  • Tasting fresh cherries straight from the orchard along the Cherry Trail.

  • Booking early for the Cherry Long Table Dinner.

  • Exploring the region’s award-winning producers, wineries, and farm-gate stalls.

  • Filling a basket of summer fruit and gourmet treats with the best of the Southern Forests’ offerings. 


There’s no better time to visit the Southern Forests — where genuine people, vibrant orchards and fresh local flavour come together for one of WA’s sweetest summer celebrations.For more information, visit www.cherryfestival.com.au and www.southernforestsfood.com.


Notes to Editors

  1. About SFFC: The Southern Forests Food Council is the regional voice for producers in the Southern Forests of Western Australia, promoting sustainability, local provenance, regional identity and strong supply chains. See more below. 

  2. About the festival: The Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival is an annual celebration of cherries, produce and community in WA’s Southern Forests region. (Southern Forests & Valleys)

  3. Cherry facts:

    • Some orchards in the region reported losses of over 90 % in 2024 due to unseasonal weather. (ABC)

    • Cherry Lane Fields: over 12,000 trees, ~20 varieties. (SFFC - GSF)

    • Australian cherry production is forecast to reach about 20,000 tonnes this season (however, local WA volumes remain variable). (Produce Report)

  4. Harvest & timing: This season remains weather sensitive. Harvest is likely later than usual; exact volumes and dates will depend on how things evolve.

George Grozotis of Cherry Lane Fields. Photo Credit: Craig Kinder for Genuinely Southern Forests.
George Grozotis of Cherry Lane Fields. Photo Credit: Craig Kinder for Genuinely Southern Forests.
Genuinely Southern Forests cherry season is looking good in time for the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival.
Genuinely Southern Forests cherry season is looking good in time for the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival.

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