Tomato in season in Australia
Tomato is in season in Australia from all year, and at its peak from December to March. Queensland winter crops fill the cooler months. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Good tomatoes run through summer, and Sydney Markets expected good quality through February, including saucing varieties from Victoria. North Queensland's winter harvest runs from May to November, which fills the cooler months.
At the shop
Pick firm, heavy tomatoes with good colour.
Keeping it
Keep them on the bench, away from bananas and apples, and out of the fridge. Chilling below 12 degrees stops tomatoes making some of the compounds behind their aroma, and a study found a week at 4 degrees cost them much of it.
Three dinners
- Simple tomato pasta Cook the sauce for twenty minutes with garlic and oil.
- Tomato tart Slices over a layer of mustard and cheese on puff pastry.
- Tomato and bread salad Stale bread, basil and plenty of good oil.
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.