Question 1

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing with sensible shoes - preferably closed toe.   You will be outdoors on a working farm so it can be a bit dusty or muddy at times and the ground can be uneven so white shoes, heels or thongs may not be the best choice.    Gumboots are a great idea if the weather has been wet.    Depending on the apple variety it can be up to a 5 minute walk to the U-Pick area so keep this in mind when choosing your footware.

Question 2

What should I bring?

Accepted Answer

We provide the apple bags for picking.    We recommend bringing sunscreen and hats for when the weather is sunny and an umbrella and coat if there is a chance of rain. Gumboots are also a great idea in wet weather.   We also have a picnic area available so feel free to pack a picnic lunch (no fresh fruit or vegetables please) and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Question 3

How long will apple picking take?

Accepted Answer

Most guests on average spend 30 minutes in the U-Pick area however some guests are finished within 10 minutes and some people spend up to 1 hour in the U-Pick area.

Question 4

Can I bring a pet?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately pets are not allowed in the U-Pick area.    If you have a pet with you on the day one of your guests will need to stay up in the car park area with your pet.

Question 5

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept both cash and credit card payments.

Question 6

When are you open?

Accepted Answer

We are open on selected dates from February to early May.    Please check our website for confirmed dates and times before attending.

Question 7

Do I need to pre-book?

Accepted Answer

Pre-booking is highly recommended.   However tickets can be purchased at the ticket box on arrival if available.

Question 8

Are there toilets?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have portable toilets onsite. Please note, we do not have wheelchair accessible toilets or baby change facilities onsite.

Question 9

Is there parking available?

Accepted Answer

Yes we have plenty of complimentary car parking available. Please follow the U-Pick signs.

Question 10

Is there food available or can I bring food?

Accepted Answer

We have plenty of apples for you to enjoy!   We do not offer any other food at the U-Pick however you are more than welcome to pack your own food and bring it with you. However we ask you do not bring fresh fruit or vegetables with you as they may pose a risk to our orchard. If you have them with you please leave them in your car and do not dispose of them in our bins.   We have a picnic area available. There are also plenty of great cafes and restaurants within 10-20 minutes drive of the orchard.

Question 11

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

We are located in the town of Three Bridges in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia which is just under 1.5hrs drive from the Melbourne CBD.    Our U-Pick entry gate is at 1020 Yarra Junction-Noojee Road, Three Bridges.   When appraoching the property please follow the U-Pick signage.

Question 12

Are you wheelchair / pram friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes we are wheelchair and pram accessible.   Please note, there can be up to a 400m walk to the U-Pick area depending on the variety. The ground is gravel paths and grass so wheelchairs and prams for offroad surfaces are advised.    Please note, we do not have wheelchair accessible toilets or baby change facilities onsite.

Question 13

The weather is not what I expected, can I change my tickets?"

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately you are unable to change your tickets due to wet or hot weather.    Apple picking is an outdoor autumn activity so the weather may not be exactly as you had hoped for.    However with the right clothing choices you can still have a great time. Think warm clothes, rain coats, umbrellas and gumboots for wet weather and sunscreen, hats, umbrellas, water bottles, light clothing for hot days.    "There is no such thing as bad weather, only innappropriate clothing" Ranulph Fiennes   If there is a total fire ban in the area we will be required to close for the day to ensure our guests safety. In this case you will be contacted and recieve a date transfer or full refund of your tickets.

Question 14

I'm running late, what do I do?"

Accepted Answer

If you are running late for your U-Pick time, not to worry, you can enter the U-Pick anytime. We just ask you come as close to your start time as possible.   If you are running late for your tractor ride unfortunatley we are unable to hold the tractor for you as the tractor needs to depart on time to stay on schedule. If you arrive and have missed your tractor time speak with the ticket box and if they are able to transfer your tickets to another time they will do their best to assist. Please note, this is subject to availability and is not always possible.    We recommend planning to arrive at least 10 minutes before your tractor departure time. You will need time to park, get your tickets and use the toilets if needed so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Question 15

We arrived earlier than expected, can we start? "

Accepted Answer

If you have arrived early you are welcome to start the U-Pick.    If you have arrived early and have tractor tickets you can check with the ticket box to see if they can fit you on an earlier Tractor Ride.

Question 16

How many types of apples can we pick on the day?

Accepted Answer

Different apple varieties are ready at different times so generally we only have 1 variety at a time.    As a guide we have the following:   Royal Gala - February Kanzi - March Granny Smith and Pink Lady - April to early May.

Question 17

Do you have a shop?

Accepted Answer

Our ticket box has a small range of items for sale including fresh apples, apple decor and gifts and apples juices.    We do not have any food available for purchase.

Question 18

Is there somewhere to sit and relax before/after the U-Pick?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our ticketbox area has tables and chairs you can use. We have some undercover as well as some with umbrellas as well as umbrellas and picnic rugs in the apple rows opposite the ticket box.    You can also bring your own picnic rug to place under the trees.    We reommend using the apple rows opposite the ticket box to sit, not in the U-Pick area as people will be moving through to pick apples and there can be a bit of a walk to carry your items. The ticketbox is right next to the car park so you can keep your items in the car until needed.   You are welcome to bring a picnic, we just ask no other fresh fruit or vegetables are brought in as this can be a risk to our fruit.

Question 19

When should we do the Tractor Ride?

Accepted Answer

We always recommend starting with the Tractor Ride before you do the U-Pick.    It is always unknown how long you will need in the U-Pick area, guests spend anywhere from 10 minutes to 1 hour in the U-Pick area so it is hard to predict how long you will need making it hard to schedule your Tractor Ride time.   The Tractor Ride starts and finishes at the ticket box. You can get off and on the Tractor Ride at the U-Pick area however this will shorten your Tractor Ride time.   If getting on the Tractor Ride at the U-Pick area it is up to you to be ready when the tractor comes past. The tractor will not wait for you and you may miss your ride.

Question 20

How do we get to the U-Pick area?

Accepted Answer

The car park and ticket box are located at the entry.    From there you will walk to the designated U-Pick area. Depending on the variety the walk can be up to 5 minutes.    If you have booked a Tractor Ride you can get off the Tractor Ride at the U-Pick area if you wish. Please note, the Tractor does not come back to pick you up when you are ready to leave.

Question 21

Can we take a Pram on the Tractor Ride?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately there is limited space on the Tractor and prams cannot fit.    We recommend starting with the Tractor Ride, getting on and off at the Ticket Box. Once finished the Tractor Ride you can get your pram and belongings from your car and walk down to the U-Pick area.

Question 22

I have young kids, do I pay for them? "

Accepted Answer

U-Pick Children aged 3 and under can enter the U-Pick for free if accompanied by a paying adult. Please note, this does not include any apples.    Tractor Ride Children aged 3 and under can ride the Tractor for free if accompanied by a paying adult. Please note: - Each child aged 3 and under will require a paying adult. Eg. If 2 kids are aged 3 and under you will require 2 paying adults. - Seperate seat is not included. Child will be required to sit on the adults lap.  - If you require/want a seat for the child they will require a ticket.

Question 23

How many bags should I get?

Accepted Answer

Our 3 ticket types include apples in the purchase.    The Individual Ticket and Ticket for 2 includes 1 bag which is about 2kgs total. The Family/Group ticket includes 2 bags which is about 4kgs total.    We recommend booking the package based on the number of people you have with you and you can always purchase extra bags on the day at the ticket box or in the U-Pick area.    We do however recommend having a bag per child as they generally want to carry their own.    As a guide 2kgs of apples is about 12 medium sized apples.    If picking with kids 1 bag can fill up in just a few short minutes. Maybe check with family, friends or neighbours before coming if you can pick apples for them to give the kids more of a chance to pick if you don't think you can get through additional bags of apples. Or plan to cook an apple recipe. As the apples are picked fresh from the tree they should last 2-4 weeks in your fridge so they do not have to be eaten straight away.    For other ideas to help extend the activity see the next FAQ on picking with kids.

Question 24

Picking with Kids

Accepted Answer

Apple picking is a great activity for all ages.    There are no special tools like ladders or scissors required and apples are large and can be found low on the tree.   The challenge of picking with kids is the actual apple picking can be over in just a few short minutes as they get so excited. 1 bag of apples is around 12 apples so as you can image this can be over very quickly.    Here are some suggestions to help make the most of your experience: - Encourage your kids to walk through an apple row first and take it all in before starting to pick - Encourage them to take their time to find an apple to eat first. Pick the apple, take them to the washing station to wash it and let them eat an apple first. If they don't want to eat one straight away let them pick a few apples for their bag first and then stop to pick an eat one to slow them down.  - Discuss what type of apples they want to pick and make them select carefully. Eg, what size: it is for cooking, going in their lunch box? Do they want to try and find the biggest apple they can, or the smallest, or the reddest?  - Don't let them pick more than 1 apple from the same tree. Dependong on how many rows are open you can restrct them to a certain number of apples per row.  - If they have a question, take them to the U-Pick attendant to get an answer.  - Purchase additional apple bags so the kids can pick more apples     *Apples will last 2-4 weeks if stored in the fridge.     *See if the kids can pick apples for family, friends or neighbours before coming.     *Plan to cook some apple recipes so you can purchase additional bags.  - Bring a picnic to enjoy in the beutiful surroundings - Information signs are located on the walk between the ticket box and U-Pick area. Stop to read each sign and discuss the information.  - Take a Scenic Tractor Ride around the orchard grounds.  - Plan other activities in the area. There are lots of great free activities and playgounds as well as cafes and resturants around the area.

Question 25

How do we pick apples?

Accepted Answer

There is a staff member located in the U-Pick area who will show you how to pick on the day.

U-Pick and Tractor Rides

Three Bridges, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia MAP | kate@sandersapples.com.au | 0430 589 310