Kevin Jackson’s commitment to innovation has been instrumental in the ongoing growth and development of Jackson Orchards, one of Central Otago’s largest fruit growing ventures and a fourth-generation Cromwell enterprise. 

Situated beside the Luggate-Cromwell highway Jackson Orchards cultivates a wide range of fruits including cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, greengages, apples and pears. The onsite packhouse and store are significant attractions for both visitors and locals.

“The packhouse is a hive of activity throughout the year as we operate more than 200 tonnes of stone and pip fruit and around 10-15 tonnes of cherries over the grading systems,” says Kevin. “We have the longest season of any orchard in the country with all our fruit sold domestically.”

The orchard boasts a harvest season lasting approximately six months. During this period the fruit stall, tours and ice cream kiosk remain open year-round providing visitors the opportunity to observe operations, taste fresh produce and enjoy the ever-popular ice creams.

Tours Under the Trees

Jackson Orchards comes alive with vibrant autumn colours from March until May. During autumn the packhouse processes apples and pears as well as walnuts harvested from trees that are over a century old. Daily orchard tours allow visitors to board electric buses for an informative and inclusive experience including fruit picking and an overview of packhouse grading operations. Tours can be pre-booked online or instore.

“ This is one of the highlights of visiting the orchard,” says retail manager Jamie Cowie.  “The feedback from so many visitors is that the tours are both engaging and inspiring.”

Shop for Local Produce 

The retail store at Jackson Orchards collaborates with local fruit and vegetable suppliers fostering a sense of community and promoting local products. The store features a wide variety of health supplements and giftware alongside its produce.

“Hugely popular are our own dried apricots, nuts and other dried goods, daily fresh bread from the European Bakery, Central Otago honeys and seasonal Red Bridge berries,” says retail manager Jamie Cowie. “ Our fresh fruit ice cream kiosk adjacent to the retail store sells over 70,000 ice creams each season. Flavours include mango, strawberry, blueberry, boysenberry, passionfruit, banana, hokeypokey, raspberry, apricot, and cherry  with mixed berry being the most popular choice.”