Strawberry in season in Australia
Strawberry is in season in Australia from all year, and at its peak from November to January. Queensland and Western Australian crops carry the cooler months. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Australia has two main strawberry seasons. Winter fruit from Queensland's Sunshine Coast runs from May to October, and summer fruit from cooler climates is best from November to February. The peak here is the warmer months, when fruit is plentiful.
At the shop
Choose firm, glossy berries with even colour, red all the way to the tip. A white shoulder means it was picked early and will not ripen. Brown or wilted caps suggest the fruit is not fresh.
Keeping it
Eat them quickly, or refrigerate for about four to five days. Do not wash until you are ready to use them, as they absorb water and go mushy. Frozen berries suit smoothies but lose their texture once thawed.
Three dinners
- Strawberry and spinach salad With balsamic.
- Strawberries and cream pancakes Dessert for dinner.
- Strawberry shortcake Over warm scones.
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.