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This European lavender farm with Highland cows is Melbourne’s cutest day trip

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström

A cute-as-a-button day trip from Melbourne that will only cost you $5.

Located just one and a half hours northwest of Melbourne, Lavandula Farm is a historic property near Daylesford promising a taste of idyllic Swiss-Italian village life. Here, delight comes in many forms: a cheese and wine bar in an 1870s stone barn, geese waddling through fragrant orchards, grazing alpacas and crusty woodfired pizza in an open-air courtyard. The 40-hectare farm has recently reopened with a host of new dining and shopping experiences, giving Melbourne day-trippers even more reasons to visit.  

Whether you’re here for the furry friends, homemade goods or shady picnics surrounded by rows of lavender and olive groves, Lavandula Farm is the ultimate place to reconnect. We think the $5 entry price for adults (or $1 for children five and up) is a small price to pay for a day of unlimited joy. 

Why you’ll love Lavandula Farm

Lavandula Farm's Highland cows
Spend the day with Lavandula Farm’s Highland cows.

An obvious drawcard that will have you melting inside, Lavandula Farm’s resident animals are well-loved by visitors – you’ll find them roaming freely around the farm during the day. Meet adorable Highland cows munching on hay, meandering pheasants and the gaggle of honking geese. You’ll even see emus and alpacas wandering the property.  

lavandula farm flowers
Visit the farm from January through March to see the blooming fields. (Image: Visit Victoria)

January to March is the perfect time to visit if you’ve got your heart set on witnessing the farm’s stunning lavender crops. Time your visit from 10–12 April to witness the popular annual lavender harvest and experience the blooms at their most fragrant. 

Scout out a sunny corner near the fields and set up your own picnic (you’re welcome to BYO or purchase a picnic basket packed with bites from the cafe and deli). Or perhaps head to Tinetti’s Dairy Barn & Wine Shoppe, which nods to the farm’s history as a dairy farm. Enjoy spritzes, locally made wines and grazing boards under the pitched roof to round out the afternoon. For classic pizzas under the trees and lingering conversations, opt for Woodfire – another casual yet elegant restaurant on Lavandula Farm.  

picnic lavandula farm
Enjoy a picnic hamper from the Lavandula cafe or bring your own.

The Farm Shop is where you’ll find homemade keepsakes and artisan goods spanning everything from bath products to produce grown onsite, from lavender jam and honey to lavender lollies. The shop is designed to feel like a charming apothecary with sensory discovery and a deep connection to the farm’s continuing production heritage. 

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

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What’s new at Lavandula Farm

heritage stone barns at Lavandula Farm
Discover heritage stone barns at Lavandula Farm. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A newly opened space, The Post Office Deli & Larder has been reimagined as a gourmet takeaway stop-in. Buttery, country-style sausage rolls and Italian paninis are the perfect lunchtime pick-me-up to bring along as you wander the gardens, while the farm’s iconic lavender scones will keep sweet tooths more than happy. 

Also brand-new at Lavandula Farm is The Homestead Store. Set inside a 160-year-old stone building where Aquilino Tinetti lived with his wife and 13 children, the store combines heritage and modern luxury. Sifting through the handpicked homewares, artisan pieces and array of locally made gifts is a wonderful way to escape the sun for a little while. 

Lavandula Farm's cafe
Enjoy a meal in a shady vine-draped setting at the farm.

Named after the farm’s founding matriarch, Maria Tinetti, Maria’s Trattoria offers seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired menus in a beautifully rustic stone-walled setting. While the checkered tablecloths and hearty Italian dishes remain fan favourites, the restaurant has recently launched a Lavender High Tea. The two-hour morning experience treats visitors to oven-warm cakes, dainty sandwiches and delicious quiches with a choice of lavender-flavoured beverage: spritz, tea or lemonade. 

For those enamoured by tales of the past, there’s more good news – Lavandula Farm will launch history tours offering visitors a deeper dive into the property’s European settler heritage that dates back 160 years. 

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The details

Entry cost: Adults $5, children (5–18 years) $1, season pass $10, free for children under five  

Address: 350 Hepburn-Newstead Rd, Shepherds Flat VIC 3461 

Opening hours: 10am to 4pm (Monday to Friday), 9am to 5pm (Saturdays and Sundays)

Parking: Free and onsite 

Accessibility: The farm is wheelchair and pram accessible with ramp access and wide paths. 

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
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The best new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road

    Louis Costello Louis Costello
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    A new wave of retreats, hotels, glamping sites and more is encouraging visitors to savour their time spent along the Great Ocean Road.

    Long holding a place as one of Australia’s most rewarding drives, cliffs, curves and shifting coastal light continue to draw travellers to Victoria’s coastline year after year. What has evolved more quietly is the range of new accommodation along the Great Ocean Road to add new dimensions to the drive.

    Rather than competing for attention, these stays are shaped by their settings. They sit beside rivers, among vines, on the edge of lakes and close to town centres where local life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Together, they point to a way of travelling the Great Ocean Road that values time spent in place, as much as distance covered.

    1. The Monty, Anglesea

    Nina Cantina at the monty great ocean road
    Pop into Nina Cantina for tacos and views.

    Anglesea has always appealed to travellers drawn to a quieter stretch of coast, where surf culture, bushland and river scenery blend into one. The Monty complements that character with a recent rebrand and refresh with traditional beach road trip nostalgia in mind. Mid-century retro decor means rooms are contemporary and funky, without being over-styled.

    A highlight of the stay is Nina Cantina, the on-site Mexican restaurant overlooking the Anglesea River. Opening in 2026, it will undoubtedly become a popular gathering point, bringing together locals, day trippers and overnight guests. Watch the river flow while tucking into plates of tacos, before enjoying a digestion swim in The Monty’s pool.

    Mornings in Anglesea often begin quietly. Kangaroos are a familiar sight on the nearby golf course, and walking tracks wind through heathland that reflects the natural landscape of the Surf Coast. From here, the road south feels like a continuation rather than a departure, easing travellers into the next stretch of the journey.

    2. Basalt Retreats, Port Fairy

    Basalt Retreat Private Villa interior
    Discover this new adults-only retreat.

    Near Port Fairy, Basalt Retreats is an adults-only delight set among a 24-year-old vineyard at Basalt Wines. The accommodation is a mixture of luxury and linens (and ultra comfy beds), allowing the long stretches of grapes to take centre stage. As the sun sets, Basalt Retreats settles into stillness. With minimal light pollution, the night sky becomes part of the experience, and star-searchers will delight in the uninterrupted views of our vast universe.

    Poombeeyt Koontapool lookout
    See Poombeeyt Koontapool from the lookout.

    Staying along the Great Ocean Road western region gives you en route access to coastal landmarks. A visit to Poombeeyt Koontapool at Loch Ard Gorge is a must for those fascinated by natural blowholes, with enough walking trails to tucker out the most seasoned hiker.

    The Poorpa Yanyeen Meereeng Trail between Timboon and Port Campbell reveals how wetlands, farmland and coastline connect across the region, best appreciated on foot or by bike.

    3. Lake Colac Holiday Park, Colac

    Lake Colac Holiday Park along the Great Ocean Road
    Book into a cabin at Lake Colac Holiday Park.

    Lake Colac Holiday Park introduces new cabin accommodation set along the edge of a broad volcanic lake. The cabins are modern and light-filled, designed to make the most of the water views and open skies.

    Lake Colac plays an important role in local life, hosting community events and everyday rituals alike. Staying here offers insight into the agricultural heart of the Great Ocean Road region, where the pace is shaped by seasons rather than sightseeing schedules.

    Brae Restaurant great ocean road victoria
    Have a delicious lunch, then join a farm tour at Brae Restaurant. (Image: Visit Vic)

    Colac’s central location places visitors within reach of standout regional experiences. Otways Distillery’s Birregurra cellar door reflects the surrounding forest in its approach to spirits. While Brae Restaurant’s guided farm and kitchen garden tours offer a closer look at the land that underpins its acclaimed dining. Together, they highlight the strong connection between produce, place and people.

    4. Glamping tents, Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve

    Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve Glamping
    Take a breather in Apollo Bay with brand new glamping tents.

    Back on the coast, Apollo Bay has always been known to be a natural place to take a breather, sitting roughly at the Great Ocean Road’s midway point. The brand-spanking new glamping tents at the Apollo Bay Recreation Reserve offer comfortable accommodation that remains closely connected to the outdoors. With ensuite bathrooms and thoughtfully designed interiors, the cabin-tent hybrids offer enough privacy and luxuries to make the trip feel more luxurious than your standard camping affair.

    Set near the river and within walking distance of the town centre, the location allows guests to move easily between beach walks, forest drives and relaxed meals.

    A session at The Corner Sauna fits naturally into a stay here. The wood-fired sauna has become part of Apollo Bay’s way of life, offering warmth and restoration after time spent in the elements (also known as a frolic at the beach).

    Apollo Bay Fishermens Co-op
    Enjoy fresh seafood at Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op.

    Apollo Bay has enough to entertain and dazzle travellers more than your average town. Graze on fresh seafood at local cafes – like Graze or Apollo Bay Fishermen’s Co-op – before venturing to nearby waterfalls. Spend hours kayaking among real-life seals, try your hand at surf lessons taught by understanding and patient guides, or simply spend your days reading a book while the surf crashes in front of you.

    Together, these new accommodation openings highlight the Great Ocean Road’s continued evolution. With more places that invite travellers to slow down and stay a little longer, the journey becomes less about rushing between landmarks and more about engaging with the unique towns along the way.

    Start planning your next trip along the Great Ocean Road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.