Exploring The Beautiful Lavandula Swiss-Italian Farm In Daylesford
Ten minutes’ drive north of Daylesford lies a little slice of Europe just waiting to be explored. Here’s our guide to Lavandula Lavender Farm, Daylesford, which includes what to see and do, and essential information for your visit.
Ten minutes’ drive north of Daylesford, down a Poplar-lined driveway brushed with autumn gold and through a timber country gate lies a little slice of Europe just waiting to be explored.
Beautifully cultivated gardens and groves, colourful landscape, and charming stone cottages sprinkled around rustic cobblestone courtyards – Lavandula Swiss Italian Lavender and Olive Farm is the very picture of Provence.
Built in the traditional style of houses in Ticino, Switzerland in the 1850s by Italian-speaking Swiss migrants, the 5-6 acre property functioned as a dairy farm for over four generations. Over the last 24 years, the buildings have been authentically restored to their former glory by new owner Carol White in a painstaking labour of love.
A new photo-opportunity is found around every corner as you wander thriving lavender fields, olive and chestnut groves, a vineyard, seasonal garden, and La Trattoria, a gorgeously rustic al fresco café serving gourmet fare.
You could easily lose track of a few hours here (we did!) taking in the grounds. Explore the cluster of provincial stone buildings or relax in the gorgeous grapevine and ivy-covered dining area with lavender champagne (delicious) and take in the serenity.
Farm geese playing tag around you, the light scent of Lavender drifting by on the breeze, autumn leaves to run through, and a grassy knoll to sit and enjoy a picnic on - Lavandula is the perfect spot to enjoy a magnificent Mediterranean experience right in the heart of Victoria.
Psst.. if you’re looking for more of the best things to do in Daylesford and surrounds, we’ve written an ultimate guide to Daylesford’s highlights here.
A QUICK GUIDE TO LAVANDULA SWISS-ITALIAN FARM, DAYLESFORD
LAVANDULA SWISS-ITALIAN FARM HISTORY
Before it became the incredible beautiful farm and gardens you see today, Lavandula started as a dairy farm by Swiss-Italian immigrants who arrived in Australia from Switzerland in the 1860s.
Set up in Shepherds Flat, 10km north of Daylesford, the 5-6 acre property featured a range of buildings in the traditional style of houses in Ticino (in the Swiss Alps), and functioned as a dairy farm for over four generations
Over the last 24 years, the buildings have been authentically restored to their former glory by new owner Carol White in a painstaking labour of love.
The buildings were painstakingly restored and the vast property was given a new lease of life as a Daylesford lavender farm and European-style gardens. Beyond being a functioning working farm, Lavandula now boasts a number of things to see and do including guided tours of the original stone farmhouse and a history room, as well as the gardens.
Image credit | Visit Victoria
HOW TO GET TO LAVANDULA SWISS-ITALIAN FARM
Lavandula lavender farm lies a 10-minute drive north from Daylesford.
Like many places in Victoria, Daylesford is best reached by car. If you need to rent one, we recommend looking at rentalcars.com (we book all our rentals through their platform!).
From Melbourne, Daylesford is a 1.5-hour drive west along any of the Hume, Calder and Western highways, or via the Tullamarine freeway (click here for a map).
The route is very well signposted so you shouldn't have any issues finding it. Once in the area, there's a great network of back roads that weave through the region to the essential areas of interest.
Alternatively, the rural train service, V/Line, has several train lines servicing the area too.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO AT LAVANDULA
EXPLORE THE GARDENS (AND LAVENDER FIELDS)
With 100 acres of manicured gardens, one of the best things to do at Lavandula is get lost amongst the trees and pathways and, of course, the lavender fields.
You’ll feel like you’re in the south of France (never a bad thing!) while strolling through floral archways, along stone paths, and through the rows of aromatic lavender. There’s also the kitchen veggie and herb garden, which provide produce for the onsite cafe (more on that below!).
Summer is the best time to enjoy the purple sea of lavender, while the colours of autumn bring the surrounding landscape alive with burnt orange and yellow.
TAKE A TOUR OF THE ORIGINAL HOMESTEAD
If you’re keen to learn more about the history of the farm and its beautiful 1850s-style stone buildings, take a guided history tour of the property.
The tour takes you through the historical buildings, and provides a detailed history on the farm and how it came to be known for its lavender.
Tours commence at 12, 2 & 4pm daily.
Image credit | Visit Victoria
BRUNCH OR LUNCH AT LA TRATTORIA
La Trattoria is the onsite restaurant, and although it’s not the best food in Daylesford (very tough competition!), it’s a great place to enjoy a brunch/lunch under the shade of the surrounding Ash trees, or in the cosy farmhouse in winter.
Produce is locally sourced and from the on-site gardens, while the cafe is full licensed and includes a great array of local wines, beers and ciders. Or, lavender-infused gin and champagne!
Our visit to Lavandula focused mostly around a lazy brunch at La Trattoria. We nestled into the corner, ordered a lavender champagne and large brunch, and enjoyed a few relaxed hours as the wood-fire burned. Bliss.
The wood-fired pizzas are also a big hit, as is the anti-pasti board - or if you’re after morning/afternoon tea, order the fresh scones.
Either way, sit back, grab a coffee and while the hours away.
BUY SOME LAVENDER PRODUCTS
It’d be remiss to visit a lavender farm and not buy a few lavender-based products, wouldn’t it?
Thankfully, there’s an onsite gift shop selling a great range of essential oils, farm-made beauty products, room mists and even insecticides.
Grab a few products before you hit the road and have your house (or you) smelling wonderful for months.
LAVANDULA ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
ENTRY FEES AND OPENING HOURS
To enter Lavandula lavender farm, Daylesford, there’s an entry fee of $5 per adult & $1 per school-aged child. This fee goes to the upkeep of the gardens throughout the four seasons.
Opening hours are from 10:30 - 5:30 pm daily (subject to changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
WHEN TO VISIT LAVANDULA
It would be remiss of us to suggest you visit anytime outside the lavender season, because that’s the whole reason to come, right? Well, yeah kinda, but Lavandula is also amazing outside the lavender season.
Still, we recommend visiting during January - March, when the flowers are in full bloom and the weather nice and warm.
Make sure you arrive early as the crowds can build up throughout the day - we’d recommend arriving at 10:30 am and strolling the grounds, before settling down for a long lunch. Alternatively, if you’re a photographer, you’ll want the later afternoon light for some nice photos of Daylesford’s lavender farm!
One thing to note is the three festivals which occur throughout the year; the Autumn Harvest in May, La Primavera in October and Lavender Harvest in January. Keep those in mind when planning your trip.
Personally, we love visiting in Autumn when the leaves are changing, the mornings crisp, and the days generally sunny and warm(ish).
WHERE TO STAY NEAR LAVANDULA (DAYLESFORD AND SURROUNDS)
Daylesford is absolutely teeming with high-quality, aesthetically-pleasing boutique accommodation options, whether you’re looking for Airbnbs, comfortable hotel stays, or an all-out luxury experience.
AIRBNBS IN DAYLESFORD
We’ve already written a full guide to the best airbnbs in Daylesford, which you can read here. If we had to pick our fave though, it would be this:
ROOM + BOARD | OPEN-PLAN BARN | This light, airy Airbnb is basically straight out of the pages of some design editorial for Vogue Living, it’s so stunningly beautiful.
The modern barn has been designed with love and thoughtful touches, from the comfy bed with pure linen sheets right through the kitchen stacked with Smeg appliances, greenery, and a ceramic collection to make Mim insanely jealous, it’s a super memorable stay for couple looking for a romantic getaway.
BOOK | OPEN PLAN BARN
HOTELS IN DAYLESFORD
LUXURY | THE LAKE HOUSE
The Lake House, Daylesford is one of Victoria’s most iconic hotels; a peaceful luxury retreat on the shores of Lake Daylesford with an emphasis on elegance, fine dining, and wellness.
The 6-acre property is almost a destination within itself, with an award-winning restaurant serving cutting edge modern Australian fare (with ingredients sourced regionally and from the Dairy Flat Farm onsite, of course!), a tranquil wellness Spa, and stunningly beautiful country garden surrounds to explore.
A stay at the Lake House doesn’t come cheap — but it’s a memorable splurge worth making.
BOOK | THE LAKE HOUSE
MID-RANGE | HOTEL FRANGOS
Located right in the heart of Daylesford on the iconic Vincent street, Hotel Frangos offers 15 beautiful rooms all furnished in different styles.
From this prime location, you can also access all the very best things to do in Daylesford, while the Endota Spa on the property is the perfect place to relax after all that exploring.
The hotel is also home to Koukla Daylesford, a stylish modern restaurant serving up tasty brunches, great Aussie classic meals, and pizzas — so you never have to travel far to fill your tum!
BOOK | HOTEL FRANGOS
TRAVEL INSURANCE | STAY SAFE IN AUSTRALIA
Whatever you do, don’t travel through Australia without travel insurance, even if you’re the most experienced traveller.
Whether it be a hiking injury, car accident, theft, or lost baggage, things can go wrong in Australia, and insurance is your only way of mitigating the issues!
BUY | Click here to get the best travel insurance deals with World Nomads
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