When it comes to winter fruit, mandarins are hard to beat. They mark a bright spot in the colder months – offering sweetness, ease and a juicy burst of vitamin C just when we need it most. Sure, saying goodbye to summer stone fruit can sting, but the arrival of mandarins is the kind of seasonal shift we can get behind.

When are mandarins in season in Australia?

Mandarin season typically runs from April to October, with peak availability during winter months. Most of the country’s mandarins are grown in Queensland – particularly around Bundaberg and Gayndah – but you’ll also find thriving orchards in the Riverland (South Australia), Sunraysia (Victoria) and parts of inland New South Wales.

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The best mandarin varieties in Australia

From zesty Sumos to super-sweet Honey Murcotts, here’s how to tell your mandarins apart. Whether you’re after easy peeling, minimal seeds or maximum juiciness, there’s a variety for every snacking style. We break down the top types in season right now – and what makes each one so good.

Imperial mandarins

Imperial mandarins, also known as Empress, mark the start of mandarin season. They are Australia’s most popular and common mandarin, known for their sweet, tangy flavour and lighter golden skin. They have fewer seeds and their thin skin is quick to open, making them the perfect quick and easy snack. You can find them between April to October.

Honey Murcott mandarins

Available later in the season between August and October, Honey Murcotts are known for being high-voltage in all areas; super-juicy, intensely sweet, and very seed-heavy. However, their vibrant aroma and dense flesh makes them an ideal variety for juicing and snack plates.

Daisy mandarins

This variety comes out mid-season, from July to August. They tend to be on the medium to large size, have a glossy orange-red rind that’s easy to peel, and have more seeds than an Imperial but less that other varieties.

Hickson mandarins

Originating from Queensland, the Hickson is easy to spot due to their generous size and slight ‘neck’, or tapered stalk end. They have a glossy, orange-red rind that’s easy to peel with sweet, juicy flesh. Expect to find the Hickson mid-season between July and August.

Afourer mandarins

Afourer mandarins hit shelves a little later in the season from July and will last until around October. They’re a popular variety in Australia due to their low seed count and juicy flesh with a rich, sweet flavour – ideal for salads and desserts. The Afourer also has a vibrant orange-red skin that is thin and easy to peel, perfect for families.

Sumo mandarins

Like the name suggests, this mandarin is large in size – commonly compared to a grapefruit – and is topped with a distinctive ‘man-bun’ shape. Originally Japanese, this seedless citrus is a hybrid between a satsuma, orange, and mandarin, resulting in an easy-to-peel, mega juicy and extra sweet snack. Find these between late July to early October, peaking around September.

Amorette mandarins

If you’re looking for the perfect all-rounder mandarin, this is it. Available exclusively at your local Woolies, the Amorette mandarin is noticeable by its deep orange skin and sweet, honey-like flavour. It makes an excellent lunch box snack as it’s mostly seedless and easy to peel. Expect to find the Amorette on shelves between April and November.

Phoenix mandarins

The Phoenix is a mandarin of the Murcott variety specifically developed to be a premium, thin-skinned, primarily seedless citrus with a vibrant honey flavour and a generous amount of juice in their flesh. These luxe mandy’s are found exclusively at Woolies.