We all need a Savior
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23
None of us can earn our way to God by being good enough. We all need mercy.
🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Queenstown & Arrowtown, New Zealand
Ben Lomond Lavender on Malaghans Road peaks in January and February, and Arrowtown's restored Chinese gold-miners' settlement is 15 minutes away.
7 places · updated October 17, 2026
🌱 What’s happening now
Updated October 17
🪻 In season now
✏️ Report outdated info
The Wakatipu Basin is the high, glacier-carved bowl between Queenstown, Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley, in New Zealand's Southern Hemisphere, where summer runs December to February. Malaghans Road, the back road between Queenstown and Arrowtown, runs across the basin below Coronet Peak, so a short drive takes you from lakefront walking trails to an 1860s gold town and on to a river gorge lined with vineyards.
Ben Lomond Lavender sits on Malaghans Road, about 10 minutes from both Queenstown and Arrowtown. The Manners Wood family planted their first lavender field here in 1998 and grow English lavender and lavandin organically, distilling the oil on the farm. Visits are by appointment only, from mid-October through April, with an entry fee (NZ$10 per adult, children free) and 30 to 60 minutes among the rows, display gardens and gift shop. There is no cafe, so plan to eat in Arrowtown or at one of the Lake Hayes cellar doors.
The lavender farms
- Ben Lomond LavenderLavender farm · Queenstown
Mid-December to the end of March, peaking in January and February
By appointment only, mid-October to April; book by email, or phone or text for visits within 24 hours. Closed for winter.
Best time to visit
Ben Lomond Lavender opens by appointment from mid-October, and its lavender typically flowers from mid-December to the end of March, at its best in January and February (timing shifts with the weather). January and February are also the easiest months for the Lake Hayes and Gibbston River trails, which are gravel and fully exposed to the sun. In April and May, Arrowtown's oaks, sycamores, rowans and cork elms turn red and gold, and the town holds its Autumn Festival in mid-April; the lavender farm stays open by appointment through April. From May to September (winter) the farm is closed, and snow and ice make high walks like Ben Lomond much harder, but the museum, the Chinese settlement and the valley-floor trails are still good choices.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Arrowtown🏘️ Town · Arrowtown · about 7 mi, 12 min drive
Gold-rush town founded after the 1862 strike, with miners' cottages along Buckingham Street now holding galleries, food shops, cafes and an independent cinema. You can try gold panning in the Arrow River.
Year-round; autumn color in April and May
- Arrowtown Chinese Settlement🏛️ Historic site · Arrowtown · about 7 mi, 12 min drive
Restored and rebuilt huts of Chinese gold miners on the banks of Bush Creek, including Ah Lum's store, with panels in English and Chinese. The main path follows an old dray track and suits wheelchairs and strollers; allow under an hour.
Year-round
free
- Lakes District Museum🏛️ Museum · Arrowtown · about 7 mi, 12 min drive
Local and gold-rush history at 49 Buckingham Street, with a gallery, the archives in the old Bank of New Zealand building and a visitor information center. Across the street is the country's second-oldest operating post office, open since 1862.
Daily 9 am to 5 pm (closed Christmas Day)
NZ$14 adults, NZ$6 children, NZ$30 family (as listed October 2026)
- Waiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail🥾 Trail · Lake Hayes · about 9 mi, 15 min drive
An 8 km (5-mile) gravel loop around Lake Hayes, about 2 to 3 hours on foot, with boardwalks over the wetlands at the south end and a picnic spot at Bendemeer Bay. The west and south sides are narrow with drops; toilets at the north picnic area, but no drinking water.
Year-round; check trail conditions before you go
free
- Gibbston River Trail and Kawarau Suspension Bridge🥾 Trail · Gibbston · about 15 mi, 22 min drive
An easy 8.7 km (5.4-mile) gravel trail that starts at the historic Kawarau Suspension Bridge and runs above the Kawarau River past Gibbston vineyards and cellar doors. It crosses the 100 km/h highway twice, so walk bikes across.
Year-round
free
- Tiki Trail🥾 Trail · Queenstown · about 6 mi, 12 min drive
A free climb of about an hour from just off Brecon Street in central Queenstown, through forest to wide views over Lake Wakatipu. Fit walkers can continue onto the Ben Lomond track, which needs extra gear and experience in snow.
Year-round; upper Ben Lomond best in summer
free
- Bob's Cove🥾 Trail · Queenstown · about 15 mi, 25 min drive
About 14 km (9 miles) out along the Glenorchy road, a 20-minute walk leads down to a sheltered cove of Lake Wakatipu, with a 3 km loop if you want more.
Year-round
free
- Glenorchy and the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway🏘️ Town · Glenorchy · about 34 mi, 55 min drive
A small town at the head of Lake Wakatipu, 45 minutes past Queenstown along the lake road. The flat Lagoon Walkway starts at the waterfront car park and takes 30 minutes to 2 hours past wetlands with black swans and paradise ducks, with views of Mt Earnslaw.
Year-round
free
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Provisions of ArrowtownCafé or coffee shop · Arrowtown
Arrowtown cafe in a historic miner's cottage with a garden, open from 7:30 am on weekdays for coffee and seasonal food.
- Mora Wines & Artisan KitchenWinery or vineyard (21+) · Lake Hayes
Lunch stop by Lake Hayes: a cellar door and kitchen in a restored cottage, open daily, cooking breakfast and shared lunches from scratch.
- AmisfieldWinery or vineyard (21+) · Lake Hayes
Lake Hayes cellar door and bistro known for a long seasonal chef's-choice menu; worth booking for a slow lunch.
- Gibbston Valley WineryWinery or vineyard (21+) · Gibbston
Gibbston pioneer on the river trail with tasting flights, tours of a large wine cave, a cheesery and a bistro.
- Mt Rosa WinesWinery or vineyard (21+) · Gibbston
Family cellar door in a renovated woolshed on the Gibbston River Trail, pouring single-vineyard pinot noir daily 11 to 5.
- Chard FarmWinery or vineyard (21+) · Gibbston
Pinot noir producer founded in 1987, reached by a private road high above the Kawarau River.
- Canyon BrewingBrewery or taproom (21+) · Arthurs Point
Arthurs Point taproom with house beers, wood-fired pizza and an outdoor area above the Shotover River, minutes from the lavender farm.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMBen Lomond Lavender
Book ahead, then walk the rows and display gardens and browse the gift shop; 45 minutes. Lavender is usually in flower mid-December to March.
- 11:00 AMArrowtown Chinese Settlement · about 12 min drive
Drive east along Malaghans Road and walk the flat dray track through the restored miners' huts; 40 minutes.
- 11:45 AMLakes District Museum
A short walk down Buckingham Street; an hour of gold-rush history, then a look at the 1862 post office across the road.
- 12:55 PMMora Wines & Artisan Kitchen · about 10 min drive
Lunch in the restored cottage by Lake Hayes; about an hour and 15 minutes.
- 2:20 PMWaiwhakaata Lake Hayes Trail · about 5 min drive
Park at the north picnic area and walk part of the 8 km loop toward the boardwalks; about an hour. Carry water.
- 3:45 PMGibbston River Trail and Kawarau Suspension Bridge · about 20 min drive
See the historic bridge, then walk the gravel trail above the river for 30 to 40 minutes.
- 4:30 PMMt Rosa Wines · about 8 min drive
End at the woolshed cellar door (open until 5) with a platter; about 30 minutes, with a designated driver for the trip back.
Tips
- Ben Lomond Lavender is open by appointment only; email or call or text the farm, and give at least 24 hours' notice. Drones are not allowed.
- The lavender farm has no cafe and sells no food or drink, so plan meals in Arrowtown or at the Lake Hayes and Gibbston cellar doors.
- Arrowtown can be reached by local bus from Arthurs Point (blue route 2), which helps on busy summer and autumn weekends when parking on Buckingham Street fills up.
- Queenstown Trail sections close for repairs from time to time (in 2026 the Frankton Track has a road detour); check trail conditions on the trail website before you ride.
- The Gibbston River Trail crosses State Highway 6 twice at 100 km/h; stop and walk bikes across.
- If you plan to taste wine in Gibbston, arrange a designated driver.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When is the lavender in bloom near Queenstown?
Ben Lomond Lavender says its lavender usually flowers from mid-December to the end of March, at its best in January and February.
Do I need to book to visit Ben Lomond Lavender?
Yes. The farm is open by appointment only from mid-October through April; contact it by email, phone or text at least 24 hours ahead.
How much does it cost to visit Ben Lomond Lavender?
The farm lists NZ$10 per adult, and children are free. It takes card payments, with a card fee.
How far is Arrowtown from the lavender farm?
About 12 minutes east along Malaghans Road; the farm says it is roughly 10 minutes from both Queenstown and Arrowtown.
What is there to do in Arrowtown in autumn?
The trees turn red and gold in April and May, and the Arrowtown Autumn Festival is held in mid-April. The Chinese Settlement and the Lakes District Museum are open year-round.
🪪 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?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
Add your listing Get featured
