The Best Places Where You Can Pick Your Own Summer Berries in Auckland

Picking your own berries is a quintessential summer activity in New Zealand — and the perfect excuse to lick your way through some of the freshest real fruit ice cream. In Auckland, strawberry picking is the main event, although you can also find blackberries and raspberries.

The strawberry picking season generally runs from around December to early February, and there are several locations on the outskirts of the city where you can hunt around the undergrowth for the biggest, juiciest and sweetest red beauties — and have your fill while doing so. Check out the best berry-picking spots near Auckland here.

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ZABERRI NEW ZEALAND

Riverhead's Zaberri is open from October until late January for strawberry, blackberry and raspberry picking. Entry is $5 per person to pick and eat, while kids under eight are free with a paying person. Your haul will set you back $19.50 per bucket that from 1.2–1.5kg. There's an abundance of shade to rest after picking or to enjoy a delicious real fruit ice cream. Kids and kidults can let off some steam on the inflatable water-filled obstacle course.

ZAKNICH FARMS STRAWBERRY GARDENS

At least one of Zaknich Farms' Waitakere and Taupaki locations typically opens for a short pick-your-own season. The farm is still picking commercially and has not yet made a decision on when it will open the pick-your-own season. When it does, be sure to bring your own containers to transport your fresh strawberries home securely.

PHIL GREIG STRAWBERRIES

This Taupaki destination is one of the most popular spots to pick your own berries near Auckland, with multiple fields open to the public. The season starts in December and runs until early February. The entry fee is $6.50 per adult, and each kilo of strawberries will set you back just $8.50. Thankfully, you won't be charged for any berries you eat while picking. Once you have picked enough of the juicy red strawberries, head over to the ice cream van for fruit ice cream, yoghurt, gelato, smoothies and coffee. Phil Greig is said to be home of the original real fruit ice cream.

CLEVEDON STRAWBERRIES

South Auckland is also home to Clevedon Strawberries, a family-owned business where you can pick your own strawberries, try freshly made real fruit ice creams and shop the range of artisan vinegars, jams, spreads and glazes..It's open daily from October until mid January. Keep an eye out for the giant strawberry as you head along Clevedon's Monument Road.