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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Broke Fordwich, Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Hunter Lavender Farm opens daily December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027, a short drive from Winmark's 50-plus sculptures and Margan's garden lunches.
5 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Broke sits on the quieter western side of the Hunter Valley, about two and a half hours' drive north of Sydney, where vineyards and olive groves spread below the Brokenback Range along Wollombi Brook. The village was set up in 1824 on the old convict road from Sydney through Wollombi, and Broke Fordwich became one of Australia's first registered wine sub-regions in 2003. Cellar doors here pour Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz, and most stops are no more than 15 minutes apart, with Pokolbin's busier wine country about half an hour east.
Hunter Lavender Farm on Adams Peak Road opens for only about four weeks each summer, when its fields of English lavender, lavandin, Spanish lavender and the Australian hybrid Riverina flower. For the 2026–27 season it is open daily from December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027 (closed December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1), with booked experiences such as field walks, yoga in the bloom and beekeeping for beginners.
The lavender farms
- Hunter Lavender FarmLavender farm · Broke
early to mid-summer (December to early January), about a four-week window
Open daily for a short bloom season (December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027); visits and experiences booked on their website.
Best time to visit
Plan around the lavender: Hunter Lavender Farm's 2026–27 season is December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027, which is early summer in the Southern Hemisphere, so start early on hot days. The same weeks overlap the Christmas Lights Spectacular at Hunter Valley Gardens (October 30, 2026 to January 31, 2027). Spring (September to November) is the time for wildflowers in Werakata National Park and for walking to the Finchley engravings in Yengo National Park, which NPWS rates as ideal in spring or autumn; Hunter Valley Gardens' Rose Week runs October 12 to 18, 2026. Autumn (March to May) brings mild weather for walks and cellar-door days. Outside the lavender season the farm is closed to the public, apart from occasional special events.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Broke village🏘️ Town · Broke · about 1 mi, 5 min drive
A small village founded in 1824 on the convict-built road from Sydney, named NSW Top Tiny Tourism Town for 2026. It has a new playground and skate park, and Baiame Cave's heritage-listed Aboriginal rock art is in the surrounding hills.
- Hunter Valley Gardens🌷 Garden · Pokolbin · about 14 mi, 25 min drive
Display gardens on Broke Road, Pokolbin, with seasonal events: Rose Week in mid-October and the Christmas Lights Spectacular through summer.
Rose Week October 12–18, 2026; Christmas Lights Spectacular October 30, 2026 to January 31, 2027
- Pokolbin🏘️ Town · Pokolbin · about 17 mi, 30 min drive
The heart of Hunter wine country, settled by some of Australia's first wine families in the 1800s. Start at the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre, 455 Wine Country Drive, for maps and free bookings.
- Wollombi🏘️ Town · Wollombi · about 17 mi, 30 min drive
A heritage village at a junction on the convict-built Great North Road, with old shopfronts, an easy 1 km historical village walk, a general store selling gelato and a tavern by the brook. Dry stone walls and culverts from the convict road line Tourist Drive 33.
- Werakata National Park🌳 State park · Cessnock · about 28 mi, 45 min drive
Lower Hunter bushland near Cessnock where acacias and banksias flower purple, orange and yellow in spring, and birders look for swift parrots and regent honeyeaters. Astills picnic area has shady gums, an easy flat trail and the historic Forestry Hut.
Always open; may close in poor weather or fire danger. Best in spring (September to November)
- Finchley Lookout, Yengo National Park🌉 Landmark · near Laguna · about 37 mi, 75 min drive
A lookout over remote World Heritage wilderness to Mount Yengo, where wedge-tailed eagles may circle; bring water, a hat and sunscreen.
Always open; may close in poor weather or fire danger
- Finchley Cultural Walk🥾 Trail · near Laguna · about 37 mi, 75 min drive
A 1 km return walk (15 to 45 minutes) with signs to the Finchley Aboriginal engravings, among the finest rock engravings in Australia; grevilleas and geebungs flower in spring.
Best in spring or autumn
- Shepherds Gully circuit🥾 Trail · Yengo National Park · about 32 mi, 60 min drive
A 3.1 km loop (1 to 2 hours, grade 4) along a rainforest creek and historic roads dating from 1841, with original sandstone work, retaining walls and the remains of a bridge.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Margan Wines & RestaurantWinery or vineyard (21+) · Broke
Family winery founded in 1996 on Milbrodale Road; the cellar door is open daily 10 to 5 and the restaurant serves lunch Thursday to Monday from its own kitchen garden.
- Winmark WinesWinery or vineyard (21+) · Broke
Chardonnay specialist on Wollombi Road with more than 50 sculptures, a Paul Bangay garden and an art gallery, open daily 10 to 4.
- Starline AlpacasFamily fun farm · Broke
Working alpaca farm at 1100 Milbrodale Road where day visitors meet and feed the herd; good for families.
- Krinklewood EstateWinery or vineyard (21+) · Broke
Certified organic and biodynamic winery for more than 17 years, with Provençal-style gardens, roaming peacocks and cheese platters at the cellar door.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMHunter Lavender Farm
In season (December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027), walk the fields and try the lavender gelato; book any experience ahead. About 1 hour. Outside those dates the farm is closed, so start at Winmark.
- 11:15 AMWinmark Wines · about 10 min drive
Walk the sculpture park and garden in good shoes and a sun hat; about 1 hour.
- 12:30 PMMargan Restaurant · about 10 min drive
Lunch from the estate's kitchen garden, Thursday to Monday; book ahead. About 1.5 hours.
- 2:10 PMStarline Alpacas · about 5 min drive
Meet and feed the alpacas; about 45 minutes. Day visits end at 3 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.
- 3:30 PMWollombi · about 30 min drive
Do the 1 km village walk and get a gelato at the general store; about 1 hour.
- 5:15 PMHunter Valley Gardens · about 40 min drive
From October 30, 2026 to January 31, 2027, stay on for the Christmas Lights Spectacular; check session times on the gardens' website.
Tips
- Hunter Lavender Farm is closed December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1, and experiences need booking because spots are limited.
- Dogs are not allowed at Hunter Lavender Farm, and drones, tripods and large camera gear are not permitted.
- There is no lavender picking at the farm; buy dried lavender and products in its shop instead.
- December and January are hot; plan outdoor stops for the morning and bring water and sun protection.
- Yengo National Park can close in poor weather or high fire danger, which is common in summer; check NPWS alerts before driving out to Finchley.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When is Hunter Lavender Farm open in 2026?
Daily from December 5, 2026 to January 3, 2027, except December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1. It is closed to the public the rest of the year apart from occasional events.
Can I bring my dog to Hunter Lavender Farm?
No. Dogs are not allowed because of the other farm animals.
How far is Broke from Sydney?
About 2.5 hours by car via the M1 and the Hunter Expressway, according to the farm.
Is the lavender farm accessible?
Not fully, but visitors can arrange with the farm to drive closer to the shop or fields.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
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