Lime in season in Australia
Lime is in season in Australia from all year, and at its peak from November to April. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Limes are sold all year, and Citrus Australia says the best come from January to April. North Queensland supplies plenty to Brisbane Markets. Finger limes, the small Queensland rainforest citrus, show up separately in autumn.
At the shop
Pick limes that feel heavy for their size. Small, deep green limes are picked ripe, but fruit left a little longer on the tree turns a lighter, yellowish green and generally holds the most juice, so a paler skin is not a fault. Roll the lime firmly on the bench before juicing to get more out of it.
Keeping it
Ripe citrus generally goes in the fridge. Citrus gives off ethylene, the ripening gas, so keep limes apart from sensitive produce such as lettuce, beans and kale. Kaffir lime leaves keep well in the fridge too.
Three dinners
- Lime chicken tacos Marinate, grill and slice.
- Thai beef salad Lime, fish sauce and chilli.
- Coconut rice with lime A side for curry.
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.