MANJIMUP'S HILLVIEW ORCHARD: GROWING PREMIUM CHERRIES IN THE SOUTHERN FORESTS

Tucked into a quiet rise just outside Manjimup, Hillview Orchard is a vibrant 13-acre haven of over 4,000 cherry trees in Western Australia’s Southern Forests. Atop the hill, a neatly kept home and shed hint at the story behind the orchard, Louis Vellios, a long-time local, dedicated grower, and passionate cherry farmer.

Louis didn’t start out in agriculture. In fact, he spent much of his early working life as a carpenter and later ran the local Foodland store in town. But nearly three decades ago, he bought the Hillview property, a rough, unused patch of land with a worn-down house and rolled up his sleeves, and began shaping it into what it is today. After two years of clearing, rebuilding, and planting later, he had his first harvest of cherry trees..

Why cherries? Cherries suited him because they do not need constant attention all year, but when the short season arrives, they certainly keep a grower on their toes. After 26 years of growing, he still stands by that.

With the region’s cold winters, leading into warm sunny spring days and cool nights, Manjimup is prime cherry country. As Louis explains, cherries thrive on that chill, the deep dormancy it provides sets up the season ahead, supporting strong flowering and even fruit development. The warmth and sunshine help ripen and colour the fruit, whilst the cool nights ensure the fruit ripens more slowly to develop more intense flavour and quality.

Hillview Orchard is planted to two main varieties: Lapin and Sonata, both producing dark red and delicious sweet fruit. Over the years he has moved away from earlier varieties, choosing later-season fruit that performs more reliably with the region’s weather.

Cherry season usually begins for Louis in November, but this year’s later spring means picking will start in early December. While Louis will tell you his cherries are special because he “talks to them”, the truth is he also relies on thousands of tiny helpers. Honey bees move through the orchard each spring, carrying pollen between self-pollinating and pollination-dependent trees, a natural process that directly influences crop quality.  If you’re lucky you can purchase some of Louis’ honey alongside his cherries at his farm gate.

Louis established the orchard himself and still manages the day-to-day work. During the short intense harvest, he brings in backpackers to help with picking, but the planning, pruning, care and preparation rest firmly with him. This personal approach is part of what defines Hillview Orchard: a farm where decisions are practical, the work is honest, and the focus is on producing quality fruit rather than chasing scale.

Hillview Orchard cherries are sold through the long-standing shopfront on the property, as well as to greengrocers via the Perth wholesale market. Louis prefers to keep his marketing straightforward, if the sign is out on Graphite Road, the shop is open. And if you want to arrange cherries directly, Louis still answers his mobile, an old school approach that fits him perfectly.

Though he grows thousands of kilos of fruit each year, Louis doesn’t actually eat cherries himself, but he certainly knows how to look after them.

If you’re buying cherries this season, his top tip is simple: Keep them cold.Cherries hold best at about 2 degrees, so bring an esky when visiting the orchard or your local market. They’ll stay firmer, fresher, and full of flavour.

The future of Hillview Orchard remains steady and grounded. Louis isn’t looking to expand or reinvent what he’s built; instead, he’s focused on maintaining the orchard with the same care and consistency that have earned his cherries their quality reputation. He is open about the challenges many growers face, especially rising input costs that aren’t reflected in wholesale prices. It’s one of the realities of farming today, and it’s something he feels consumers don’t always see.

Louis remains committed to producing the best fruit he can. Hillview Orchard is a reminder of what the Southern Forests region represents, strong farming roots, genuine community, and growers who take pride in their craft.

Visitors to the Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival can experience the cherry season firsthand, tasting premium cherries and discovering farm gates like Hillview Orchards, a perfect way to celebrate the start of the season.

Keen to meet Louis and take home some cherries of your own? Drop by the Hillview Orchards farm gate at 25 Richmond Street, Manjimup when the signs are out, where you’ll find fresh-picked cherries, honey and good conversation waiting.

If you’d like to check availability or plan your visit, you can reach Louis directly on 0418 931 024.

Photography Credit of Cherries: Craig Kinder Photography and Duck Duck Goose Photography