Cabbage in season in Australia
Cabbage is in season in Australia from March to November, and at its peak from May to September. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Grown through the year. Brisbane Markets reports have Lockyer Valley cabbage in good supply in February and again in August, and NSW's seasonal guide lists it in every season. It is at its peak from May to September.
At the shop
Choose a head that is firm and heavy for its size, with crisp leaves in the colour typical of the variety. A very loose head is immature and a rock-hard one may be overmature. Skip any with insect damage, decay or a seed stalk.
Keeping it
Keep the head loose in the crisper drawer, where it lasts around two weeks. Cabbage is sensitive to ethylene, the gas some fruit gives off, so keep it away from ripening fruit.
Three dinners
- Cabbage rolls Blanch the leaves, fill with mince and rice, simmer in tomato.
- Fried cabbage and noodles Soy, garlic and plenty of cabbage.
- Slaw with grilled fish Shred finely and dress with vinegar and a spoon of mayonnaise.
How we decide. Each item carries a score from 0 to 20 for every month of the year. We call 16 or more “at its peak” and 8 to 15 “around”. The scores were checked against Australian growers’ bodies, state government pages and the Sydney and Melbourne markets, and last reviewed on 9 October 2026. Seasons shift a few weeks with the weather and the state, so treat the edges as guides. Spotted something wrong? Tell us at [email protected].
General information only. These guides are not advice about how you should prepare, store or eat any food. Please follow the packaging and the official food-safety guidance from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and your state or territory food authority.