hero media

A new lavender farm in Tasmania has just opened to the public

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
Swathes of purple are blooming in southeastern Tassie.

A stunning new lavender planting is blossoming at Iron Creek Bay Estate, blanketing the estate in delicate purple tones. The hospitality destination has planted rows of the fragrant, flowering perennial herb at their property in the historic town of Sorell, offering yet another reason to head to southeastern Tassie and visit the farm-stay accommodation. 

Visiting the lavender field at Iron Creek Bay Estate

A bee on a lavender stem
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. Seeds were strategically planted last April in time for the wet season, which helps the lavender 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 community

A man tending to a lavender field
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’.

The flowers will also be used to create a range of sweet-smelling 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. 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

A field of lavender at sunset
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 showcasing the finest Tassie produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. 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 is Lord Howe Island.
View profile and articles
Chocolate Experience at Cadbury Chocolate Central
Hobart

Tasmania is getting a $150 million chocolate wonderland

Forget Willy Wonka. The real thing is coming to Hobart.

Read more
views along the Three Capes Walk in winter Tasmania
South Tasmania

Sunrise views and wellness offerings: a new exclusive Three Capes Walk experience is coming

Tasmania's Three Capes Walk gets a unique twist for select winter dates.

Read more
Beaker Street Festival in Hobart, Tasmania
Hobart

A new after-dark sound experience is coming to Hobart – for one night only

The immersive concert will debut in August, part of a milestone program that marks a decade of Beaker Street Festival.

Read more
Tasmanian Walking Co. child-friendly mult-day hike on Bruny Island
Bruny Island

The Tassie multi-day hike that you can do with your child

Is a multi-day hike a good way to bond with your child? Megan Arkinstall laces up her nine-year-old son’s shoes and tests it out.

Read more
hero media

Why you should visit these iconic Tassie destinations

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Continue
    Tasmania’s crisp clear air, misty mountains, lakes and ancient forests beckon as winter approaches.

    Travelling in the off season has many benefits, none more so in Tasmania, where it’s uncrowded and uncomplicated. Ease into winter with a getaway that spells relaxing with a glass of wine or local whisky, bathing under the stars, or gazing at reflections in pristine waters. Add fireside dining, wilderness walks, after-dark gallery visits and plenty of history and you’ve got a curated winter escape designed to make travelling in the quieter months of the year even more rewarding. NRMA Parks and Resorts’ Off Season Signature Packages across Tasmania (plus 10 per cent off for members) make all these things possible.

    Cosy up at Cradle Mountain

    two women walking aorund Cradle Mountain Hotel NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Immerse into the wilderness at Cradle Mountain Hotel.

    For an alpine wilderness experience like no other, chose Cradle Mountain Hotel for a winter getaway. You may even wake up to gently falling snow. Explore nearby Dove Lake, gaze at Cradle Mountain is and listen to the gush of waterfalls.

    As Cradle Mountain works its charm, slow down to enjoy the crisp alpine air away from the hustle of the city. There are no crowds here, just serenity and the chance to recalibrate.

    Cradle Mountain’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a bottle of wine (Retreat rom bookings only) and off-season dessert with dinner. Then sip on mulled wine as you wander through the Wilderness Gallery admiring the work of Tasmanian artists.

    Finding the flavours of Freycinet

    aerial of Freycinet Lodge NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Stay at the only accommodation within beautiful Freycinet National Park.

    As the only accommodation within Freycinet National Park, among the many reasons for staying at Freycinet Lodge is its easy access to stunning Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos and Honeymoon Bay.

    By day it’s the place for communing with nature, taking hikes in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful locations. By night, savour the regional seasonal flavours of the east coast, sip mulled wine to keep out the chill and gaze up at the star-studded skies. This is slow coastal indulgence at its best.

    Freycinet Lodge’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, a hosted Flavours of the East Coast food and wine tasting experience and mulled wine under the stars, or beside the fire, after dinner.

    Escape to lakeside Pumphouse Point

    interior of pumphouse point NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Stay cosy while looking out onto Lake St Clair.

    Set on the edge of beautiful Lake St Clair in native bushland in the heart of Tasmania’s Central Highlands, Pumphouse Point has launched a new era for its boutique accommodation with the opening of two new luxury retreat rooms last October.

    Each of the trio of rooms are thoughtfully designed, with an indoor fireplace and deep-soak bathtub, both perfect for a winter escape. This retreat offers dining and an expanded collection of hosted experiences, including a guided tour to learn more about this historic place, chocolate tastings and whisky tasting from local artisans – with more to come later in the season.

    Borrow an e-bike and explore on your own, throw a line in, head off for a hike in the ancient forests that surround the lake, book a relaxing massage, or just settle in for an evening by the fire as the lake works its own magic.

    Pumphouse Point’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, breakfast, larder lunch and dinner, a bottle of wine with dinner each night, and a chocolate or whisky tasting experience, as well as two $50 massage vouchers.

    Slow down in Strahan Village

    aerial of boat going through strahan tasmania
    Explore UNESCO world heritage wilderness.

    As the gateway to UNESCO world heritage wilderness, picturesque Strahan Village is the ideal base for exploring Tassie’s west coast. With a wide range of accommodation choices, from cosy waterfront colonial-style cottages to hotel rooms with sweeping views over Macquarie Harbour, it’s the perfect place for slow travel.

    Join Gordon River Cruises to explore ancient wilderness and magical reflections on the Gordon River, wander through the village at your own pace or hire a bike to discover local secrets and attractions, including the iconic West Coast Wilderness Railway. Thrill-seekers can hire taboggans to hit the towering Henty Dunes.

    Strahan’s Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Gordon River cruise for two and mulled wine at Hamer’s Bistro.

    Delve into history in Port Arthur

    interior of glamping tent at Port Arthur Holiday Park NRMA Parks and Resorts
    Glamp under the stars at Port Arthur Holiday Park.

    Spend your evenings glamping under the stars and your days stepping back in time as you explore the captivating stories of the World Heritage listed Port Arthur Historic Site. Port Arthur Holiday Park is the perfect base for exploring the Tasman Peninsula and uncovering the stories of Australia’s colonial and convict past.

    Surrounded by nature and history, this off-season escape has the all the makings of an unforgettable getaway. All glamping tents are heated to keep you warm during the off-season months when the nights get a little cooler, and have private bathrooms. Stargazing tents have the added luxury of an outdoor bath on the verandah.

    The Port Arthur Off Season Signature Package includes two or more nights’ accommodation, a Port Arthur Historic Site tour for two and 10 per cent discount for dining at local restaurant On The Bay during your stay.

    Start planning an unforgetable trip to Tasmania with NRMA Resorts at nrmaparksandresorts.com.au.