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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Tamar Valley & North-East Tasmania, Australia
Bridestowe Estate's lavender peaks mid-December to mid-January, under an hour from Low Head's 1833 light station and Launceston's free museum.
8 places · updated October 17, 2026
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North-east of Launceston, the farm country around Nabowla, Lebrina and Pipers Brook rolls toward Bass Strait, with sparkling-wine vineyards, a cider and gin trail along the Tamar River, and the seaside village of Bridport about 20 minutes north. Across the river on the West Tamar, Rowella sits among orchards and cellar doors, and Launceston's museums and river reserves are under an hour from either side. This is the Southern Hemisphere, so summer runs December to February and the fields bloom around Christmas.
Two very different lavender stops anchor the trip. Bridestowe Estate in Nabowla, dating to 1922, grows long rows of lavender for oil; it is open daily 10 to 4, and its rows peak from mid-December to mid-January, when a gate fee applies. Lavender House Perfumery in Rowella is smaller and hands-on: you walk its gardens, see the working gallery and distillery, and sample the range in the shop, Monday to Saturday.
The lavender farms
- Bridestowe EstateLavender farm · Nabowla
mid-December to mid-January
Open daily except Christmas Day. Paid entry during Bridestowe in Bloom (December-January), free self-guided walks February-November; entry and tours can be booked on their website.
- Lavender House PerfumeryLavender farm · Rowella
late November to the end of January for English lavender
Open Monday to Saturday to browse the gallery, distillery, gardens and shop.
Best time to visit
Come mid-December to mid-January for Bridestowe at full bloom; the estate harvests by February, and entry is free February to November (A$20 per person in December and January, as posted in October 2026). Lavender House's gardens change with the seasons: Spanish lavender from September to November, English lavender and lavandins from late November to January, and later lavandins and French lavender from late February to April. Summer (December to February) is also the season for the patrolled beach at Bridport's Goftons Beach and swimming at Lake Trevallyn in Launceston. Spring (September to November) is quiet and green, with Bridestowe's rows waking up and free to walk. In winter (June to August), plan for shorter days; Bridestowe notes winter hours may apply. Note that the Tamar Island Wetlands boardwalk is partly closed from July 6 to December 17, 2026 for bridge work, though the centre and the walk to the bird hide stay open.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Bridport🏘️ Town · Bridport · about 14 mi, 20 min drive
A seaside village on Anderson Bay with an 11 km walking track circuit that suits all ages and a flat 2 km gravel foreshore walk. Goftons Beach is patrolled in summer and has a beach wheelchair; Adams Beach is the dog beach.
- North East Rail Trail🥾 Trail · Scottsdale · about 11 mi, 20 min drive
A 52 km return rail trail through forest with mountain views; for a short outing, walk or ride from Scottsdale to Northeast Park and back, about 6 km.
free
- Mount Stronach Reserve🥾 Trail · Scottsdale · about 12 mi, 20 min drive
A 5 km return track that zigzags around the mountain's slopes to views over Scottsdale.
- Low Head Historic Site🗼 Lighthouse · Low Head · about 31 mi, 50 min drive
A light station operating since 1833 at the mouth of the Tamar, plus Australia's earliest surviving pilot buildings around a village green and a volunteer-run maritime museum. The foghorn sounds at noon on Sundays.
Grounds and museum open daily; the Pilot Station café is closed from April 22, 2026 until a new lessee is found
- Mount Direction Historic Site🏛️ Historic site · Mount Direction (East Tamar) · about 25 mi, 40 min drive
A gentle 1.5 km walk, about 30 minutes, to the summit ruins of an old signal station, with a stone cairn, dry stone wall and the eye bolts that held the semaphore mast. Picnic tables and barbecues on site.
- Tamar Island Wetlands Centre🌲 Preserve · Riverside · about 33 mi, 55 min drive
A boardwalk across river wetlands where around 60 bird species have been recorded, from black swans and egrets to swamp harriers, with a bird hide about 500 m from the centre. The full walk to Tamar Island is 4 km return. Dogs are not allowed.
Centre open Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; boardwalk to the island partly closed July 6 to December 17, 2026
entry by donation
- QVMAG Museum at Inveresk🏛️ Museum · Launceston · about 29 mi, 50 min drive
Launceston's natural science and history museum at 2 Invermay Road; the sister art gallery at Royal Park and the ticketed planetarium are close by.
Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Good Friday and Christmas Day
free
- Trevallyn Nature Recreation Area🏞️ Park · Launceston · about 32 mi, 55 min drive
More than 35 km of tracks above the South Esk River; the 6 km Duck Reach walk (about 1.5 hours, some steps) reaches the historic Duck Reach power station, which ran until 1956, and links on to Cataract Gorge. Lake Trevallyn is busy with swimmers and paddlers in summer, and dogs on leads are allowed.
Gates close at sunset
- Beaconsfield Mine & Heritage Centre🏛️ Museum · Beaconsfield · about 43 mi, 70 min drive
A hands-on museum of gold-mining history and the 2006 mine rescue, with 30 interactive displays, a crawl-through tunnel and gold panning; allow 1 to 1.5 hours. It is about 10 minutes from Lavender House in Rowella.
Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., last entry 3 p.m.; closed Christmas Day and Good Friday
A$25 adults, A$10 children 5–16, A$64 family (as posted October 2026)
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Pipers Brook VineyardWinery or vineyard (21+) · Pipers Brook
Seated tastings inside Nadines at Pipers, a winery café among the vines on Pipers Brook Road, open 11 to 4 every day for a seasonal lunch.
- Clover Hill WinesWinery or vineyard (21+) · Lebrina
Lebrina sparkling-wine house a few minutes from Bridestowe, with a cellar door and meals at Clover's Kitchen.
- Holm Oak VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Rowella
Family vineyard planted in 1983 near Lavender House, with wine flights from A$15 and a self-guided sensory garden.
- Hillwood Berries FarmgateBerry farm · Hillwood
East Tamar berry farm with a pick-your-own field at 105 Hillwood Road and a farmgate café with free entry.
- The House PaddockFarm market · Scottsdale
Scottsdale grocer and café open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with Tasmanian deli goods and lunches until the kitchen closes at 3.
- Little Rivers Brewing Co.Brewery or taproom (21+) · Scottsdale
Scottsdale brewery and distillery founded in 2013, pouring tasting paddles by a wood heater Wednesday to Sunday.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMBridestowe Estate
Walk the lavender rows and try the lavender ice cream; about 1 hour 15 minutes. From mid-December to mid-January, expect the gate fee and more visitors.
- 11:45 AMNadines at Pipers, Pipers Brook Vineyard · about 25 min drive
Lunch from the seasonal menu among the vines; about 1 hour.
- 1:25 PMLow Head Historic Site · about 40 min drive
Walk the pilot station green, the maritime museum and the headland to the 1833 lighthouse; about 1 hour.
- 3:10 PMLavender House Perfumery · about 45 min drive
Cross the Batman Bridge to Rowella to see the distillery and gardens before the 4 p.m. close (closed Sundays); about 40 minutes.
- 4:20 PMMount Direction Historic Site · about 30 min drive
Back across the river for the 30-minute walk to the signal station ruins.
- 5:30 PMTrevallyn Nature Recreation Area · about 35 min drive
Finish in Launceston with a lakeside walk or a swim in summer; gates close at sunset.
Tips
- Bridestowe charges A$20 a person in December and January and is free the rest of the year (as posted October 2026); dogs are welcome on a leash.
- Lavender House is closed on Sundays and opens at 11 on Saturdays, so plan a weekday or Saturday for the West Tamar side.
- The Batman Bridge is the only river crossing between Launceston and the coast, so group your East Tamar and West Tamar stops to avoid backtracking.
- Dogs are not allowed at Tamar Island Wetlands; Trevallyn allows dogs on leads.
- Low Head's Pilot Station café is closed until a new lessee is appointed (from April 2026); bring a picnic or eat in George Town.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When is the lavender in bloom at Bridestowe?
Bridestowe recommends mid-December to mid-January, Tasmania's early summer; the lavender is harvested by February.
Does Bridestowe charge an entry fee?
Only in December and January, A$20 per person as posted in October 2026; entry is free February to November.
Can you see lavender being distilled in the Tamar Valley?
Yes. Lavender House Perfumery in Rowella has a working gallery and distillery you can view, Monday to Friday 10 to 4 and Saturday 11 to 4.
How far is Bridestowe from Launceston?
About 50 minutes by car to central Launceston.
🪪 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.
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