Lemon in season in Australia
Lemon is in season in Australia from all year, and at its peak from May to September. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Lemons are sold all year, and Citrus Australia lists them as available year-round. Winter is when they are most abundant, and Sydney Markets lists them for June, July and August. North Queensland was sending abundant lemons to Brisbane Markets in March, too.
At the shop
Choose lemons that are bright yellow, heavy for their size, with smooth, thin skin. Weight is the best sign of juice.
Keeping it
Ripe citrus generally goes in the fridge. Citrus gives off ethylene, the ripening gas, so keep lemons apart from sensitive produce such as lettuce, beans and kale. Wash and dry a lemon before you zest it.
Three dinners
- Lemon chicken Roast thighs with lemon halves.
- Spaghetti al limone Butter, parmesan and zest.
- Lemon and herb fish parcels With potatoes and greens.
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.