Orange in season in Australia
Orange is in season in Australia from April to February, and at its peak from June to October. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Australian oranges come in two main crops. Navels are the winter oranges, available from June to October, and Valencias are the summer ones, from November to February. Between them, local oranges are rarely out of the shops.
At the shop
Choose brightly coloured fruit that is firm and heavy for its size, because the heavier the orange the juicier it tends to be. Minor spots do not matter. Avoid soft patches, bruises or anything that looks mouldy.
Keeping it
Oranges will keep in a bowl on the bench for about a week, out of direct sun, and last longer in the fridge.
Three dinners
- Orange and fennel salad with grilled fish Cut into rounds with olives and a drizzle of oil.
- Orange glazed chicken Reduce juice with soy and honey in the roasting tin.
- Orange and almond cake For a pudding night.
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.