The Most Beautiful Lavender Farms In Australia

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.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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.

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.

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.

With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1 — Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

Morning colours

car on cable beach at sunrise — Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

Afternoon adventures

camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset — Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

Evening degustation

server at Cable Beach Club — Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

Beyond the beach

Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

Unmatched experiences

Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach — Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

Dining discoveries

Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

Natural beauties

Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome — Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.

The most beautiful lavender farms around Australia