Australia’s southern state is known for its temperate climate, clean air and water, and its abundance of nature. This combination creates a unique opportunity for the working holiday maker looking to explore Tasmania by picking and backpacking their way around the state.

If you love apples, cherries, strawberries, blackcurrants or raspberries, you’ve got to try some from Tasmania. Chances are you already have with Tasmanian growers supplying fruit retailers locally, interstate and internationally.

The fruit picking season usually starts in October with the arrival of the first strawberries. As well as there being plenty of fruit picking work available Tasmanian farms are usually within 30 minutes of a town or city and close to beaches, mountain walking paths or forest walks.

Westerway Raspberry Farm is one such spot. It is located 10 minutes from Mount Field National Park, and is very welcoming of seasonal fruit pickers who are highly valued and key to getting the farm’s raspberries, blackcurrants and other berries to market. Owner Richard Clark employs up to 150 workers over the harvesting season, with two thirds of these being backpackers on working holiday visas or newly settled Tasmanians.

“About a third of our workers are locals – including high school and university students,” explains Richard. “Another third are new Tasmanians, and those from the refugee community – including from Burma, Bhutan, Ethiopia and Afghanistan. The remaining third are predominantly international backpackers travelling on Working Holiday Visas.”

Richard enjoys having seasonal workers at the farm and they seem to enjoy it too. “We see a high number of people coming back to the farm each year.”

The harvest period at Westerway Raspberry Farm is short but busy, which seems to strike the right balance for many backpackers providing the opportunity to work and travel.

Fancy a fruit picking adventure in Tasmania? Visit Fruit Growers Tasmania, where you can find more information about the Tasmanian fruit growing industry, along with links to individual farms and seasonal harvesting guides. You can also contact farms like the Westerway Raspberry Farm directly.

Find information about Westerway Raspberry farm on their website or find them on Facebook.

For information on working holiday visas and regional work requirements, visit Discover Tasmania.