Bridestowe Lavender

Rolling across the hills of northern Tasmania, Bridestowe Lavender is a stunning 260-acre farm that explodes with vibrant purple rows from December to February. This is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest lavender farm, and walking among the fragrant rows with the blue Tamar Valley sky overhead is an unforgettable sensory experience. It’s a working farm, so you can also see how the essential oils and culinary lavender are produced.

Highlights & What to See

• Lavender Fields in Bloom: Wander the photogenic rows of lavender, at their peak from mid-December to late January. The scent and the sea of purple are mesmerising.
• Farm Shop & Distillery: Sample and buy lavender products – from essential oils and soaps to the famous lavender ice cream and shortbread. Watch the distillation process in summer.
• Pick Your Own Lavender: During the blooming season, you can pick your own bunch of lavender to take home (small fee applies).
• Bridestowe Lavender Tea Room: Enjoy a lavender-infused scone with jam and cream, or a pot of lavender tea, while overlooking the fields.
• Self-Guided Walk: Follow the easy walking paths around the property, including a short loop through the heart of the lavender rows.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allocate at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fully appreciate the fields, explore the shop, and enjoy a treat at the tea room. If you’re a keen photographer or plan to pick lavender, allow up to 3 hours. The farm is open daily from 9am to 5pm (hours vary slightly by season), and it’s best visited in the morning or late afternoon for the softest light and fewer crowds.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Launceston: The historic city is just a 45-minute drive south, with its excellent food scene, Queen Victoria Museum, and the stunning Cataract Gorge.
• Tamar Valley Wine Route: Drive along the Tamar River, stopping at cellar doors for cool-climate wines – especially sparkling, Pinot Noir, and Riesling.
• Low Head: A coastal village with a historic lighthouse, a penguin colony (best at dusk), and beautiful beaches.
• Pipers River Region: A premium wine-growing area with boutique wineries like Jansz Tasmania and Pipers Brook Vineyard, about 20 minutes away.
• Barnbougle Dunes: World-class golf links set on coastal dunes at Bridport, about a 40-minute drive east.

Please check official sources for current details.