Bridestowe Lavender Estate in Tasmania is the largest lavender farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
We visited Bridestowe Lavender Estate outside of lavender season when there was barely a sprig of colour to be seen but we had the best time. Bridestowe Lavender Estate often pops up in my Instagram feed with its fields of lavender making an incredibly vibrant and enticing image but we think it is worth a visit to Bridestowe even when the lavender is not in bloom.
Braeden loved his time touring the property, making a pillow mist and tasting the delicious treats which all had a hint of lavender infused in them. Bridestowe Lavender Estate is also accessible.
Bridestowe Lavender Estate review
It all started in 1921 when CK Denny migrated to Tasmania with his family with a packet of lavender seeds sourced from the southern French Alps. His dream was simple, to produce the world’s finest lavender. He chose Tasmania because he recognised its climate was similar to that of the famous lavender regions of Provence.
Fast forward to 2006 when the current owners, the Ravens family, purchased Bridestowe with a passion similar to that of the estate’s original owner, which has ensured CK’s legacy has continued. Not only have they continued to produce the finest lavender but they opened the property to visitors believing, “Bridestowe Estate is better when it’s shared with others.” And we were certainly pleased to have the opportunity to share it. We learned about the growing, harvesting and other processes involved in operating the lavender estate and producing the extensive range of products available for purchase.
As there was no lavender in bloom, we took advantage of the other activities on offer at Bridestowe. We were treated to a tour of the estate with Kim as our guide. We learnt about the history of the estate, the growing techniques used and about harvesting. While Mark, Amelia and I were interested in the history, for Braeden it was all about the buggy ride. He just loved touring around the fields in the buggy.
After learning about lavender it was time to channel our inner mixologist to personalise our own pillow mist scents. Drop by drop we each worked to create a scent that was pleasing to our nose. Braeden was mesmerised by the process but it is important to note that visitors do need good fine motor skills to participate in this activity. Braeden was quite happy watching on.
Bobbie the bear is the cute mascot of Bridestowe Lavender Farm and he can be purchased as an adorable heat wheat pack, soap or mug, to name just a few of the options. What we loved about our tour and about the way Bridestowe operates is that everything has a human touch to it.
Wheeling into the shed we found someone packing the lavender into a Bobbie heat wheat pack and another putting wrapping around the soaps.
When you buy something at Bridestowe you are really taking a lovely souvenir of Tasmania home with you.
And of course, after all the learning and making a pillow mist it was time to indulge in some of the cafe’s treats. It was so hard to choose from the menu but we knew two delicacies that were non negotiable and that was Bridestowe Estate’s famous lavender scones and a lavender ice cream.
Braeden inhaled the scones so I was glad we ordered more than one serve and I absolutely delighted in the lavender ice cream. On first lick I wondered if the lavender flavour would be too strong for my taste but I can report, I was thorough in my research and not one mouthful was left. I would go back for another in a heartbeat.
The store attached to the cafe is filled with delightful lavender infused treats including honey, lavender gin, candles, shortbread and more. We came away with a bagful of treats to bring back home. The lavender shortbread is a particular favourite, delicate in flavour and just right with a cuppa.
Accessibility at Bridestowe Lavender Estate
The cafe and shop are fully accessible with step-free access and a unisex stand-alone accessible bathroom.
Braeden is able to transfer from his wheelchair so he managed the step up into the buggy to do the tour.
Walking around the property to see the packing area there is a mixture of bitumen and compact crushed gravel. Hubby didn’t have a problem navigating the terrain around Bridestowe Lavender Estate.
Accessible parking is available near the entry to the store and cafe.
If you are keen to visit when the lavender is in bloom, the usual timing for this is from December to the end of January. But, keep in mind mother nature beats to her own drum and doesn’t necessarily work in with people’s itineraries. Timing slightly varies every year depending on conditions.
Please note there is an entry fee during the peak lavender blooming period (1 Dec-31 Jan), also known as the Festival of Flowers and bookings are essential.
If you don’t have time to do one of the tours, we highly recommend popping in to grab a bite to eat in the cafe. Bridestowe Lavender Estate is within an easy drive of Launceston, just a 50 minute drive.
We were hosted for our visit to Bridestowe Lavender Estate but as always our opinions are our own.
Wondering what else to visit in the area? We enjoyed the following attractions –
And we stayed at Hotel Verge in Launceston.
