Swathes of purple are blooming in southeastern Tassie.
A sweeping new lavender planting is blossoming at Iron Creek Bay Estate , blanketing the estate in a sea of purple tones. The hospitality destination has planted endless rows of the fragrant, flowering perennial herb at their property in the historic town of Sorell, offering yet another reason to visit the farm-stay accommodation.
Visiting the lavender field at Iron Creek Bay Estate
Lavender supports pollinators like bees and butterflies. (@benjamin.little_ 3)
Located just a half-hour drive from Hobart, the field is surrounded by orchards, paddocks and stunning water views. The lavender was planted last April in time for the wet season, which has allowed the plants to establish a root system before the dry season. “We are really happy with their growth so far, [going in as just a small tube plant and now a small and flowering bush], and our guests and visitors are already enjoying walking through this coastal field," shared Rod Black, General Manager Hotels.
The best time to visit is in spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom.
Lavender varieties and supporting the local lavender community
This is the first season the lavender is blooming. (Image: @benjamin.little_ 3)
Five varieties of lavender are grown on the farm, each offering a unique fragrance and colour while supporting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. These include Lavandula angustifolia ‘Bee’, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Pacific Blue’, Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’, Lavandula × intermedia ‘Riverina Alan’, and Lavandula × intermedia ‘Riverina Thomas’.
Flowers will also be used to create a range of products, and any surplus will be shared with the local Tasmanian lavender-growing community. “We’re hoping it will be a great accompaniment to our orchards and the estate’s overall offering, particularly by spring and summer this year," said Black.
More to see and do at the estate
The property is set to become a must-stop on the way to the Tasman Peninsula as well as a destination in its own right. Visitors can make the most of the experience by staying in one of the cosy pods or spacious pavilion rooms, which overlook the bucolic setting. Spend your day indulging in seasonal, farm-driven dishes at the onsite restaurant Orani, going apple or cherry picking, and meeting the menagerie of friendly farm animals, including alpacas, geese, horses and chickens.
Details
Lavender typically blooms from late spring to summer. (Image: Getty/ Kisa_Markiza)
Address: Iron Creek Bay Estate, Sorell, Tasmania, 394 Arthur Hwy, Sorell, Tasmania, 7172 Best time to visit: Spring and summer Types of lavender: Lavandula angustifolia ‘Bee’, Lavandula angustifolia ‘Pacific Blue’, Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’, Lavandula × intermedia ‘Riverina Alan’, and Lavandula × intermedia ‘Riverina Thomas’ Accommodation: 91 rooms ranging from individual pod rooms to multi-bedroom suites Restaurant: Orani serves homestyle farmhouse food that showcases Tassie produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.
In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.
Where to stay
Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.
For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart. Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).
For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles. Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.
Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.
1. Bruny Island
Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.
Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.
Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked. Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.
Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)
2. Mount Wellington
At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.
Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).
For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.
Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)
2. Port Arthur
Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.
The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.
Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.
Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)
3. Launceston
You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.
Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo, for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.
Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)
4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary
Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.
Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.
Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)
5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley
Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.
Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.
Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)
Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .
