The most beautiful lavender farms around Australia

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Rows upon rows of purple-drenched lavender fields are grown on farms around Australia – and it is time to get acquainted with the best of them.

From the soothing scent of lavender-infused products and the oddly pleasing taste of edible lavender treats to the grounding experience of wandering through fields of purple blooms, Australians just can’t get enough of lavender.

The soothing, calming properties of lavender might even be enough to cure our prolonged state of pandemic-induced stress. And we’re not the only ones who think so. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused Australian lavender sales to spike, and new research by La Trobe University and AgriFutures Australia will investigate exactly how we can make our country a world leader in lavender oil exports. Undoubtedly the world needs lavender as much as we do right now.

In the meantime, we give you a list of the most beautiful lavender farms around the country. Daydream about your next visit, which should hopefully arrive just in time for the lavender season.

Bridestowe Lavender Estate, Tas

To get the obvious out of the way first, let’s venture northeast from Launceston to arrive at the rural town of Nabowla. Population 112. Here you’ll find Bridestowe Lavender Estate, which is renowned for its seemingly endless fields of lavender flowers that bloom each year between December and January.

an aerial view of the Bridestowe lavender farm
The Bridestowe lavender fields spread across 200 kilometres. (Image: Luke Tscharke)

The lavender farm’s history can be traced all the way back to 1922 when its founder Charles Denny sailed from England to Tasmania with a bag of lavender seeds that he procured from the French Alps. With his future in his hands, so to speak, Denny went on to build the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm; with lavender rows that stretch for about 200 kilometres.

Bridestowe Lavender Farm
Bridestowe is worth the visit all year round.

The 260-acre farm costs $10 to visit – a small fee to pay for such a tranquil outing. Pick up one of Bridestowe’s famous lavender ice creams and spend your time roaming and photographing the fragrant purple fields. There are also guided tours that run regularly throughout the day.

a hand holding Bridestowe's famous lavender ice cream
Bridestowe’s famous lavender ice cream is a must-try. (Image: Luke Tscharke)

Address: 296 Gillespies Rd, Nabowla, Tas
Flowering season: December to January
Unique attraction: The lavender ice cream is a little taste of heaven.

Herbicos Lavender Farm, NSW

Imagine driving less than 90 minutes out of Sydney to find 25 hectares of picture-perfect lavender fields to run through. Well, a visit to Herbicos is the ticket to your daydreams. It’s home to one of New South Wales’ largest naturally grown lavender farms and yes, it is within reach for Sydneysiders.

Herbicos use their lavender to supply and produce pure, plant-based, natural skincare products. The lavender is even used to produce products for nail care, beauty equipment, salon disposables and hot wax materials.

When visiting the fields, make sure to greet the locals who call Herbicos home. The onsite goat, pig, ram, rabbit, alpaca and peacock will be glad to make your acquaintance.

Address: 440 Mulholland Rd, Thirlmere, NSW. The farm is open to the public on weekends.
Flowering season: December to February
Unique attraction:  The range of skincare products that are made from the lavender fields you just frolicked through.

Herbicos Lavender Farm
A visit to Herbicos is the ticket to your purple daydreams.

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Yanchep Lavender Farm, WA

Yanchep, a coastal suburb of Perth, is better known for being home to Yanchep National Park: a beautiful slice of native bush with koala colonies, wild kangaroos, and fascinating Aboriginal lifestyle and cultural programs. Veer inland a touch and you’ll also encounter 25 acres of pristine lavender fields.

When former miners Karla and Gary bought their Yanchep property back in 2005 they were on the hunt for a water-tolerant plant that would blend and complement the rural environment. Initially, they set their sights on olive and sandalwood trees, before finally settling on lavender – and they’ve been opening up their lavender farm to grateful visitors ever since.

Visit today and discover mountains of treats, thoughtful gifts and plenty of essential oils, lotions and other household products.

Address: 272 Old Yanchep Rd, Carabooda, WA
Flowering season: December to February
Unique attraction: The lavender oil is to die for.

Warratina Lavender Farm, Vic

The Yarra Valley is well known for its food and drink offering, but there are plenty of other reasons to visit the region – including the picture-perfect Warratina Lavender Farm.

Back in 1991, owner Annemarie planted a small plot of lavender on land that had once been a cherry orchard. After people began lining up down to the driveway to catch a glimpse of the purple paradise, Annemarie decided to transform her humble hobby into the business you can visit today – now with more than ten thousand lavender plants to be admired.

Warratina lavender Farm in Victoria
Look out over the farm from the tea rooms.

Visitors, who are welcome all year round, come to enjoy both Warratina’s Australian-made lavender products and the peaceful atmosphere of the lavender farm. Even outside of the flowering period, the estate is the perfect place to see the turning seasons reflected in the ornamental gardens, native bushland and contoured rows of lavender set against the striking backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges.

Address: 105 Quayle Rd, Wandin North, Vic
Flowering season: November to January
Unique attraction: Warratina hosts a lavender festival each November. Come and enjoy the spoils of the setting alongside market stalls, live music and craft demonstration.

Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, VIC

With 100 acres of manicured gardens to explore, the only problem you’ll encounter at Lavandula will be finding the time to explore it all. It’s the kind of place that is just bursting with photo opportunities – rambling vines, manicured gardens, sweet little picnic spots and, of course, plenty of blissful lavender.

a close-up of lavenders at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, VIC
Lavandula offers plenty of idyllic picnic spots.

Speaking of bliss, Lavandula is one of the loveliest spots we know of for a wander and a bite for lunch. Explore the restored 1850s homestead, coo at the runabout emus and make your way to the little restaurant outback, where you can sit under light green leaves and watch as a gaggle of geese perform their synchronised routine following each other around the grass. They break formation only to chase after scraps. Or the occasional small child.

a gaggle of geese at Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm, VIC
Watch as a gaggle of geese perform their synchronised routine.

Address: 350 Hepburn-Newstead Rd, Shepherds Flat, Vic
Flowering season: October to January
Unique attraction: The onsite restaurant – La Trattoria – is your opportunity to indulge in some famous Daylesford produce.

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Emu Bay Lavender Farm, SA

Taking a short break on Kangaroo Island is one of the best ways to revitalise the tourism businesses that are still recovering from the impact of the 2019/20 bushfires and ongoing pandemic.

a woman in the middle of Emu Bay Lavender Farm with a basket
Emu Bay Lavender Farm is spread across 51 acres of land. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

It is here, nestled within the 540-kilometre-long stretch of rugged island beauty, that you’ll find Emu Bay Lavender Farm. The space – over 51 acres of land with an estimated 7,500 lavender plants – is owned by a fifth-generation Kangaroo Island family.

a woman picking lavenders at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, SA
Collect fresh lavender at Emu Bay. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

Visit during summer to get the full-bloom experience. During these months, the famous KI Ligurian bees are busy pollinating the flowers to produce their signature lavender honey.

lavenders hanged to dry at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, SA
Each year they harvest around 8,000 bunches of lavender. (Image: Meaghan Coles)

Around 8,000 bunches of lavender are harvested and stripped each year to distil around eight kilograms of essential oil – no wonder essential oils often come with a hefty price tag. You can learn more about the fascinating process on your visit.

a close-up of a woman holding a lavender basket at Emu Bay Lavender Farm, SA
Get the full-bloom experience in the summer. (Image: South Australian Tourism Commission)

Address: 205 Emu Bay Rd, Wisanger, SA
Flowering season: December to February
Unique attraction: If you can’t make it to Emu Bay in person, browse the range of Lavender-infused recipes online here.

Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm, Qld

The Queensland Scenic Rim serves as the perfect backdrop to the purple perfection of Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm. The property houses a cellar door and an upscale restaurant and gift shop that overlooks a six-hectare vineyard and a field full of lavender.

a couple strolling around Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm, Qld
Stroll around the six-hectare vineyard full of lavender. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Perhaps more famous than the seemingly endless rows of lavender is the freestanding chapel that stands among it. Countless couples have used the aesthetic surroundings as a place to get hitched.

the chapel at Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm, Qld
The open-plan chapel is worth the journey alone. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you’re not here to say ‘I do’, then wander through the six types of lavender that grow on the property and soak up its beauty instead. You can also enjoy the view from a window seat at the onsite restaurant. There are 180-degree views from Mt Barney to Mt Alford, which you can enjoy while sipping on a glass of chardonnay from the vineyard.

a distant view of the chapel at Kooroomba Vineyards and Lavender Farm, Qld
Soak up scenic views of Queensland’s Scenic Rim. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: 168 F M Bells Rd, Mount Alford, Qld
Flowering season: December to January
Unique attraction: The open-plan chapel is worth it for the Instagram post alone.

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Heathcote has evolved into the ultimate eco-escape for foodies

    Margaret Barca Margaret Barca
    From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly. 

    Heathcote, on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability. 

    Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve
    The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

    The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote 

    Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents
    Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

    Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood, two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof.  No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course.  On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

    Mt Ida Eco Cabin
    Mt Ida Eco Cabin is rustic and simple but oozes comfort. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views.   Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.  

    A taste of Spain in Central Victoria 

    Three Dams Estate
    Three Dams Estate make Spanish-style wine.

    Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more. 

    The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking 

    Silver Spoon winery
    The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

    On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do.  The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter.  The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.   

    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant
    Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

    Heathcote’s other hidden gems 

    Heathcote Wine Hub
    Heathcote Wine Hub is housed in a 1855-built timber church.

    Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub, a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff.  “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.  

    Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.   

    Envy gins
    Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Getting there

    It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road! 

    Staying there

    Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway. 

    Eating there

    French dishes at Chauncy
    Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

    At award-winning Chauncy, French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.  

    Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through. 

    Playing there

    Sanguine Estate
    Sip on wines among the vines at Sanguine Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

    Sanguine Estate’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.  

    At Bridgeward Grove, learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.