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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farm of Wānaka, New Zealand
Wānaka Lavender Farm's 20 acres bloom December to February, five minutes from town, near the Mt Iron walk, That Wānaka Tree and lakeside wineries.
6 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Wānaka sits at the southern end of Lake Wānaka, between the Southern Alps and the neighboring Lake Hāwea, with Mt Aspiring National Park beyond the head of the lake. The town is compact: the lakefront, the famous willow in the water known as That Wānaka Tree and the Bullock Creek wetland are all walkable from the shops, and Mt Iron rises just east of town for a short climb with views over the whole basin.
Wānaka Lavender Farm on Morris Road is about five minutes from town, with about 20 acres of fields and display gardens, farm animals, giant games and a tearoom known for lavender ice cream and honey. It is open every day of the year except Christmas Day. The lavender is in full bloom in summer, December to February, when the farm charges its highest entry fee and distills oil from January to March; spring brings blossom and lambs, and autumn turns the trees red and orange.
The lavender farms
- Wānaka Lavender FarmLavender farm · Wānaka
December through February
Open daily year-round except December 25; buy tickets on arrival or book online. Group bookings are needed only for tour operators, school groups and large groups. No pick-your-own.
Best time to visit
Wānaka is in the Southern Hemisphere. At the lavender farm, spring (September to November) brings daffodils, cherry blossom, tulips and lambs, and its picnic experience starts in November. Summer (December to February) is peak lavender, with roses, hydrangeas and the herb garden at their best; distilling runs January to March. Lavender lingers for a few weeks into March, dahlias take over, and the trees turn red and orange through autumn. In winter (June to August) the fields have no flowers, but visitors can hand-feed the alpacas and sheep and try lavender drinking chocolate, and the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski areas run. Summer also brings live music at Paddons Paddock, and the Warbirds Over Wānaka airshow is held at Easter near the toy museum.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Mt Iron Walk🥾 Trail · Wānaka · about 2 mi, 5 min drive
A 4.5 km loop of about 1.5 hours to the top of Mt Iron, nearly 250 m above the plain, with 360-degree views of the lake, the Pisa Range and the Southern Alps. The car park is off SH84 about 2 km from town; the track is steep with loose rock in places, and dogs must be leashed.
- Bullock Creek Wetland Boardwalk🥾 Trail · Wānaka · about 2 mi, 5 min drive
A flat, spring-fed wetland walk a short stroll from the town center, with native plants and birdsong; suitable for wheelchairs and prams.
- That Wānaka Tree🌉 Landmark · Wānaka · about 3 mi, 7 min drive
The lone willow growing in the water along the Wānaka lakefront, passed on the Millennium Track a short walk from town.
- Millennium Track to Waterfall Creek🥾 Trail · Wānaka · about 3 mi, 7 min drive
A lakeshore track from the Wānaka waterfront past That Wānaka Tree toward Waterfall Creek; turn back at any point or keep going toward Glendhu Bay.
- Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain🥾 Trail · Wānaka · about 13 mi, 25 min drive
A steady climb to a lookout over Diamond Lake, about 45 minutes for the loop, with the option to continue up Rocky Mountain for wide views over Lake Wānaka and the peaks.
- Gladstone Track, Lake Hāwea🥾 Trail · Lake Hāwea · about 10 mi, 15 min drive
A shoreline track toward Johns Creek with open lake views the whole way, about a 15-minute drive from Wānaka; it is not a loop, so go as far as you like and return.
- Mou Waho Island🌲 Preserve · Lake Wānaka · about 11 mi, 7 min drive
A predator-free island reserve in Lake Wānaka with a small lake near its summit, reached by water taxi or guided tour from Wānaka (drive time is to the lakefront); a short climb through native bush leads to lake and mountain views.
- National Transport and Toy Museum🏛️ Museum · Wānaka · about 5 mi, 10 min drive
Five major buildings near Wānaka Airport holding more than 600 vehicles, over 20 aircraft and more than 100,000 toys.
Daily 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
average listed price $28 (NZD, October 2026)
- Puzzling World🌉 Landmark · Wānaka · about 2 mi, 5 min drive
An attraction of illusion rooms and leaning buildings that has operated since the early 1970s; an indoor option if the weather turns.
- Mt Aspiring National Park🏞️ Park · Wānaka · about 30 mi, 60 min drive
Glaciers, waterfalls, braided rivers and beech forest around 3,033 m Mt Aspiring, with day walks, scenic flights and jet boating from Makarora. Check track and road conditions at the DOC Tititea visitor center in Wānaka before heading up the valleys.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Paddons PaddockWinery or vineyard (21+) · Wānaka
A cellar door and kitchen about 4.5 km from town serving pizzas and platters, with a playground for children and live music through summer.
- Rippon VineyardWinery or vineyard (21+) · Wānaka
A biodynamic vineyard on the lakeshore farmed by the Mills family since 1912, with tastings by booking.
- Relishes CaféCafé or coffee shop · Wānaka
A lakefront café on Ardmore Street serving modern New Zealand breakfast and lunch daily, 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
- Cardrona HotelRestaurant · Cardrona
One of the country's oldest hotels, on the Crown Range Road, with a restaurant and a well-known beer garden, open seven days.
- Cardrona DistilleryDistillery (21+) · Cardrona Valley
A family distillery in the Cardrona Valley making single malt whisky, gin and vodka, with tours and a small-plates restaurant.
- Maude Wines Tasting RoomWinery or vineyard (21+) · Wānaka
An in-town tasting room above the golf course with lake views and cheese boards; booking ahead is recommended.
- Rhyme x Reason BreweryBrewery or taproom (21+) · Wānaka
A community brewery on Gordon Road with 14 taps, a sunny beer garden and a food truck.
- Wānaka BeerworksBrewery or taproom (21+) · Wānaka
Wānaka's original craft brewery, brewing since 1998 beside the toy museum near the airport.
A one-day plan
- 9:30 AMRelishes Cafe
Breakfast or coffee on the lakefront, about 45 minutes.
- 10:30 AMMt Iron Walk · about 5 min drive
Walk the 4.5 km loop to the summit and back, about 1.5 hours; wear good shoes.
- 12:15 PMWānaka Lavender Farm · about 5 min drive
Wander the fields and gardens, meet the animals and try the lavender ice cream; about 1.25 hours.
- 1:45 PMPaddons Paddock · about 10 min drive
Lunch of pizza or a platter in the garden; check that it is an open day and book a table.
- 3:00 PMNational Transport and Toy Museum · about 5 min drive
About 1.5 hours among the cars, planes and toys before the 5 p.m. close.
- 4:30 PMRippon Vineyard · about 15 min drive
A booked late-afternoon tasting on a weekday (tastings run to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday); plan a designated driver.
- 5:15 PMThat Wānaka Tree · about 5 min drive
Finish with an easy lakefront walk to the tree along the Millennium Track as the light softens.
Tips
- The lavender farm is open every day except Christmas Day: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. from September to May and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. from June to August. Tickets can be bought on arrival or ahead.
- Mt Iron crosses private land; dogs are allowed only on a leash, and the track gets icy and muddy in winter.
- Rippon tastings need a booking, and Maude's tasting room recommends one in summer.
- The lavender farm's picnic experience starts in November and is booked ahead on its website.
- For walks inside Mt Aspiring National Park, check conditions with the DOC visitor center in town before you go.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When is the lavender in bloom at Wānaka Lavender Farm?
In summer, December to February, when the fields are at their peak. Some lavender lasts a few weeks into autumn (March), and distilling runs January to March.
How much does the lavender farm cost?
Prices change by season: in December to February it listed $18 for adults and $9 for children; March–April and October–November $10 and $5; May–September $8 and $4; infants free (NZD, as listed October 2026).
How far is the lavender farm from Wānaka?
About five minutes by car, at 36 Morris Road.
Is there anything to see at the farm in winter?
There are no blooms June to August, but visitors can hand-feed the alpacas and sheep and try the winter-only lavender drinking chocolate.
What's a good short walk near town?
Mt Iron, a 4.5 km loop of about 1.5 hours with views over the lake, or the flat Bullock Creek wetland boardwalk in town.
🪪 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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