A Farm With a History
Nestled in the rolling hills just outside Picton, in the heart of Wollondilly, Cedar Creek Orchard is a fourth-generation family farm built on hard work, determination and a love for the land.
What began as a small poultry farm in 1937 has grown into a thriving orchard producing apples, peaches, nectarines and persimmons, along with our own range of apple juice and cider. But behind every tree is a story — one that has been growing for generations.
What began as a small poultry farm in 1937 has grown into a thriving orchard producing apples, peaches, nectarines and persimmons, along with our own range of apple juice and cider. But behind every tree is a story — one that has been growing for generations.
Where It All Began
Our story began when Hugo and Marina Silm purchased the 45-hectare property in 1937. Hugo had immigrated from Estonia, and the family initially ran the property as a poultry farm.
In 1940, the first apple trees were planted, marking the beginning of what Cedar Creek Orchard would eventually become.
Their son, Ron, had other plans for the farm. After completing his schooling at Hurlstone Agricultural High School in the late 1940s, he joined the family business and began helping expand the orchard.
In those early years, building the orchard was no easy task. Ron and his brother Bruno cleared land by hand with axes, selling the timber to raise enough money to hire a bulldozer to remove the remaining stumps. The cleared land was then planted with more apple trees.
Little by little, the poultry farm gave way to an expanding apple orchard.
In 1940, the first apple trees were planted, marking the beginning of what Cedar Creek Orchard would eventually become.
Their son, Ron, had other plans for the farm. After completing his schooling at Hurlstone Agricultural High School in the late 1940s, he joined the family business and began helping expand the orchard.
In those early years, building the orchard was no easy task. Ron and his brother Bruno cleared land by hand with axes, selling the timber to raise enough money to hire a bulldozer to remove the remaining stumps. The cleared land was then planted with more apple trees.
Little by little, the poultry farm gave way to an expanding apple orchard.
Building Something for the Future
By 1961, the orchard had grown enough to require a larger packing shed. The concrete was poured, and the shed that still stands at Cedar Creek Orchard today was built. Ron even welded the roof trusses himself, often working late into the night after finishing his day's work.
But farming has always come with its share of challenges.
In the mid-1960s, a devastating hailstorm destroyed the entire apple crop. With four young children to support, Ron needed to find a way to recover from the loss.
That difficult season became the beginning of something that would shape the future of the business.
Rather than let the damaged apples go to waste, Ron built a juice press and began turning them into apple juice. What started as a way to make the best of a terrible season eventually became one of Cedar Creek Orchard's most important products.
But farming has always come with its share of challenges.
In the mid-1960s, a devastating hailstorm destroyed the entire apple crop. With four young children to support, Ron needed to find a way to recover from the loss.
That difficult season became the beginning of something that would shape the future of the business.
Rather than let the damaged apples go to waste, Ron built a juice press and began turning them into apple juice. What started as a way to make the best of a terrible season eventually became one of Cedar Creek Orchard's most important products.
The Next Generation
In 1980, Ron's son Mark and his brother Michael returned to the family orchard after completing their tertiary education. They joined Ron and their mother, Laurel, bringing fresh ideas and new energy to the business.
Over the following decade, the orchard expanded significantly, with tree numbers increasing from around 6,500 to 30,000. New land was purchased, dams and irrigation systems were developed, and the business continued to grow.
In 1998, Michael moved into his own fruit export business, while Mark and his wife, Lynelle, continued working on the family orchard.
Ron and Laurel remained the backbone of the business for many years. Their dedication helped lay the foundations for the orchard that exists today. Sadly, both passed away in 2015, aged 86.
Over the following decade, the orchard expanded significantly, with tree numbers increasing from around 6,500 to 30,000. New land was purchased, dams and irrigation systems were developed, and the business continued to grow.
In 1998, Michael moved into his own fruit export business, while Mark and his wife, Lynelle, continued working on the family orchard.
Ron and Laurel remained the backbone of the business for many years. Their dedication helped lay the foundations for the orchard that exists today. Sadly, both passed away in 2015, aged 86.
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Growing with the Times
As the Australian fruit industry changed, so did Cedar Creek Orchard.
In the late 1990s, the family began planting specific varieties to meet the needs of Asian export markets. These included Zee Sweet stone fruit varieties and non-astringent persimmons, which can be enjoyed crisp and firm when ripe.
The first block of persimmons was planted in 1994. At the time, demand for persimmons in Australia was limited, and exporting the fruit was the original plan.
Over time, the orchard diversified further. Some apple trees were replaced with peaches and nectarines, and more varieties were planted to extend the harvest season and provide a continuous supply of ripening fruit for our Pick Your Own operations.
Today, the orchard grows a range of apples, including Pink Lady, Gala and Fuji, alongside peaches, nectarines and persimmons.
In the late 1990s, the family began planting specific varieties to meet the needs of Asian export markets. These included Zee Sweet stone fruit varieties and non-astringent persimmons, which can be enjoyed crisp and firm when ripe.
The first block of persimmons was planted in 1994. At the time, demand for persimmons in Australia was limited, and exporting the fruit was the original plan.
Over time, the orchard diversified further. Some apple trees were replaced with peaches and nectarines, and more varieties were planted to extend the harvest season and provide a continuous supply of ripening fruit for our Pick Your Own operations.
Today, the orchard grows a range of apples, including Pink Lady, Gala and Fuji, alongside peaches, nectarines and persimmons.
From Apples to Apple Juice and Cider
Apple juice has been part of our story for decades. What began with a homemade press and a crop damaged by hail has grown into a significant part of the business.
Over the years, our juice-making process has evolved from refrigerated juice containing preservatives to the pasteurised, shelf-stable apple juice we produce today.
Production has increased from around 50,000 litres to as much as 700,000 litres a year, reflecting the growth of this part of the business.
In 2012, the fourth generation joined the orchard when Damien, Mark and Lynelle's eldest son, came on board. The family continued to expand its operations, with the orchard supplying fruit to Australia's domestic markets and, at times, overseas customers in places including Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Since 2019, our youngest son, Nathan, has also been producing apple cider for the farm and other markets, adding another chapter to the family's apple-growing and processing history.
Over the years, our juice-making process has evolved from refrigerated juice containing preservatives to the pasteurised, shelf-stable apple juice we produce today.
Production has increased from around 50,000 litres to as much as 700,000 litres a year, reflecting the growth of this part of the business.
In 2012, the fourth generation joined the orchard when Damien, Mark and Lynelle's eldest son, came on board. The family continued to expand its operations, with the orchard supplying fruit to Australia's domestic markets and, at times, overseas customers in places including Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
Since 2019, our youngest son, Nathan, has also been producing apple cider for the farm and other markets, adding another chapter to the family's apple-growing and processing history.
The Orchard Today
Today, Cedar Creek Orchard remains a family-run business with a dedicated team helping keep everything growing.
Around 23,000 trees are currently planted across the orchard. Our full-time and casual staff help maintain the trees, manage fruit production and operate our juice-making facilities. During harvest, up to 20 additional workers join the team to thin, pick and pack the fruit.
From the orchard to the packing shed, every season brings a new cycle of work. Pruning, thinning, feeding, harvesting and packing all play a part in producing quality fruit for our customers.
Alongside supplying domestic markets, we welcome visitors for our seasonal Pick Your Own experiences and offer fruit, juice, cider and other local products through The Shed.
Around 23,000 trees are currently planted across the orchard. Our full-time and casual staff help maintain the trees, manage fruit production and operate our juice-making facilities. During harvest, up to 20 additional workers join the team to thin, pick and pack the fruit.
From the orchard to the packing shed, every season brings a new cycle of work. Pruning, thinning, feeding, harvesting and packing all play a part in producing quality fruit for our customers.
Alongside supplying domestic markets, we welcome visitors for our seasonal Pick Your Own experiences and offer fruit, juice, cider and other local products through The Shed.
A Story Still Growing
Since 1937, Cedar Creek Orchard has grown through changing seasons, difficult years and new opportunities.
From a poultry farm to an apple orchard, from clearing land with axes to producing hundreds of thousands of litres of juice, each generation has contributed something to the farm's story.
Our history is a reminder that an orchard is never built overnight. It takes patience, hard work, family and a willingness to adapt.
Cedar Creek Orchard isn't just a place where fruit is grown. It's a family legacy, built over generations and continuing to grow today.
And our story is still growing.
From a poultry farm to an apple orchard, from clearing land with axes to producing hundreds of thousands of litres of juice, each generation has contributed something to the farm's story.
Our history is a reminder that an orchard is never built overnight. It takes patience, hard work, family and a willingness to adapt.
Cedar Creek Orchard isn't just a place where fruit is grown. It's a family legacy, built over generations and continuing to grow today.
And our story is still growing.
