I couldn’t hold in my excitement as we drove up the dirt driveway to the Wanaka Lavender Farm. The view to the right was a riot of purple against a pale blue sky, with dark green trees and summer-dried mountains between. As we got closer to the lavender, the hum of bees began to fill the air.
I’ve always wanted to visit a Lavender Farm, but I never thought I’d be doing it during our honeymoon in New Zealand! Running (carefully) through lavender fields is something I can picture more easily in France, so when we found out about the Wanaka Lavender Farm from our Airbnb hosts, I really wanted to go. The area around Wanaka is well known for outdoor adventure and adrenalin-inducing activities, so taking time to chill out and soak in a bit of the beautiful surroundings at a peaceful location sounded ideal. Plus. Lavender Farm. Need I say more?
Started about 6 years ago by two brothers, Tim and Stef Zeestraten, the lavender farm in Wanaka consists of 10 acres of lavender fields and displays in rows and other patterns, plus a shop selling all things honey and lavender (even ice cream!) and a tea room. The Wanaka Lavender Farm continues to be a family affair.
What to see at the Wanaka Lavender Farm
Lavender
Lavender, of course! You have free reign to wander around the gardens and lavender fields. The Wanaka Lavender Farm is about a 5-minute drive from Lake Wanaka itself, which is where you might normally be looking for beautiful views. But the lavender fields against the backdrop of the mountains surrounding Wanaka is simply stunning.
Visit the farm animals
In addition to the lush gardens, there are several fields for farm animals at the lavender farm. It was funny coming across a Highland Coo on our travels so far from home. There’s also pigs, alpacas, sheep, chickens, and beehives. It’s a great place to take a family!
Shop & Tea Room
We skipped quickly through the shop and tea room when we first arrived at the lavender farm, eager to get out in the fields in the early morning sunshine. When the January day started to heat up it was a welcome respite to be able to go into the delicious smelling shop and browse. They have everything from honey and lavender products made on site (and samples!), to lavender themed souvenirs. When you think lavender you might think Grandma’s house, but they have designed the shop in a way that makes everything look clean and modern rather than aged and fuddy-duddy.
There is also a tea room where you can enjoy some of their products, like herbal tea or lavender ice-cream.
When to visit the Wanaka Lavender Farm
The best time to visit the lavender farm depends on what you want to see. Most likely you’re after the lavender in full-bloom, which means you should visit in summer. From late October you can expect to see the first lavender plants flowering, as well as some spring flowers like tulips and daffodils, and blossoms. As the season continues different varieties emerging up until mid-December. There are also roses and sunflowers in the gardens. The main lavender fields will then be in full bloom until March when they begin to fade as autumn begins.
If you’re not visiting Wanaka in the summer don’t worry, you can still visit the farm and enjoy the other blooms, the animals, and the tea room. In autumn the trees will be shades of orange, red and yellow, and roses and dahlias are still blooming. Winter will see frost-covered grounds so less growth, but the surrounding views of snow-capped mountains still make for an enjoyable visit.
We visited first thing in the morning and had the whole place to ourselves, as other visitors slowly trickled in, but I imagine it’s beautiful in the late afternoon too.
Practical Info
What you’ll see in different seasons
Spring – Blossoms, tulips, daffodils
Summer – Lavender, dahlias, roses, sunflowers
Autumn – Trees changing colour, roses, dahlias
Winter – Snow capped mountains grounds often covered in frost
Hours
From 9am-5pm, 7 days a week
How to get there
Address: 36 Morris Rd, Wanaka 9382, New Zealand
Drive time:
Wanaka 5km – 6mins
Queenstown 65km – 60mins
Entry fee
December – February Adults $5, Children 5-15 $2, under 5s free.
March – November Adults $2 children under 15 free.
Looking for other things to do around Wanaka? Aside from sky-diving, hiking, and lake-based activities like paddle-boarding and kayaking, there are awesome mountain biking trails, and of course, Puzzle World with its outdoor maze!
More info on New Zealand:
- 23 Epic Destinations for a Honeymoon in New Zealand
- North Island Itinerary Ideas + Best Places to Visit
- What to Do with 2 Days in Auckland
- Black Water Rafting at Waitomo Caves
Sonja x
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