Turnip in season in Australia
Turnip is in season in Australia from March to October, and at its peak from May to August. This is the cooler south; the tropical north has its own calendar.
At its best
Turnips show up in autumn as the weather cools and are a winter soup vegetable. Frost makes them sweeter, and old ones turn woody.
At the shop
The smaller the turnip, the sweeter it tastes. Pick small to medium ones without blemishes that feel reasonably heavy for their size.
Keeping it
Keep them unwashed somewhere cool, dark and dry. In the fridge crisper they last about two weeks. Clean the greens and store them separately for up to a week.
Three dinners
- Honey-roast turnips Quarter and roast with thyme.
- Turnip gratin Thin slices, cream and gruyere.
- Turnip and bacon soup Simmer and blend roughly.
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.