Visit Wanaka Lavender Farm, New Zealand: Tips + Things to Know

I couldn’t hold in my excitement as we drove up the dirt driveway to the Wanaka Lavender Farm.

The view to the right was a riot of purple against a pale blue sky, with dark green trees and summer-dried mountains between.

As we got closer to the lavender, the hum of bees began to fill the air.

I’ve always wanted to visit a lavender farm, but I never thought I’d be doing it during our honeymoon in New Zealand!

Running (carefully) through lavender fields is something I’d pictured more easily in somewhere like France, so when we found out about the Wanaka Lavender Farm from our Airbnb hosts, I really wanted to go.

The area around Wanaka is well known for outdoor adventure and adrenalin-inducing activities, so taking time to chill out and soak in a bit of the beautiful surroundings at a peaceful location sounded ideal.

Plus. Lavender Farm. Need I say more?

Started by two brothers, Tim and Stef Zeestraten, the lavender farm in Wanaka consists of 10 acres of lavender fields and displays in rows and other patterns, plus a lovely shop selling all things honey and lavender based (even ice cream!) and a tea room.

The Wanaka Lavender Farm continues to be a family affair to this day and that comes across in everything they do there.

What to see at the Wanaka Lavender Farm

Lavender

Lavender, of course!

You have free reign to wander around the gardens and lavender fields. The Wanaka Lavender Farm is about a 5-minute drive from Lake Wanaka, which is where you might normally look for beautiful views.

But the lavender fields against the backdrop of the mountains surrounding Wanaka is simply stunning.

Visit the farm animals

In addition to the lush gardens, there are several fields for farm animals at the lavender farm. Coming across a Highland Coo on our travels so far from home was funny!

There are also pigs, alpacas, sheep, chickens, and beehives. It’s a great place to take a family!

Shop & Tea Room

We skipped quickly through the shop and tea room when we first arrived at the lavender farm, eager to get out in the fields in the early morning sunshine.

When the January day started to heat up it was a welcome respite to be able to go into the delicious-smelling shop and browse.

They have everything from honey and lavender products made onsite (and samples!), to lavender themed souvenirs.

When you think lavender you might think Grandma’s house, but they have designed the shop in a way that makes everything look clean and modern rather than aged and fuddy-duddy.

There is also a tea room where you can enjoy some of their products, like herbal tea or lavender ice-cream.

When to visit the Wanaka Lavender Farm

The best time to visit the lavender farm depends on what you want to see.

Most likely, you’re after the lavender in full bloom, which means you should visit in summer.

From late October, you can expect to see the first lavender plants flowering and some spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and blossoms.

As the season continues, different varieties emerge up until mid-December. There are also roses and sunflowers in the gardens.

The main lavender fields will then be in full bloom until March, when they begin to fade as autumn begins.

If you’re not visiting Wanaka in the summer, don’t worry, you can still visit the farm and enjoy the other blooms, the animals, and the tea room.

In autumn, the trees will be shades of orange, red and yellow, and roses and dahlias are still blooming. Winter will see frost-covered grounds, so there is less growth, but the surrounding views of snow-capped mountains still make for an enjoyable visit.

We visited first thing in the morning and had the whole place to ourselves as other visitors slowly trickled in, but I imagine it’s beautiful in the late afternoon too.  

Taking photos

One of the amazing things about this beautiful place is how photogenic it is! Although we went to chill out and enjoy the space, we enjoyed trying to capture how pretty it is.

The time we arrived was perfect, due to the lack of people but also due to the light and the temperature! 

The farm is very happy for you to explore its grounds, so if you do want to capture some instagrammable content, I suggest making sure you wear something that will stand out against the mass of lavender. 

We shot these images on my Sony A6000 and our Nikon 2100 but newer iPhones would work well too! 

Practical Info

What you’ll see in different seasons

• Spring – Blossoms, tulips, daffodils
• Summer – Lavender, dahlias, roses, sunflowers
• Autumn – Trees changing colour, roses, dahlias
• Winter – Snow-capped mountains grounds often covered in frost

Hours

7 days a week – From 9am – 5pm September to May, and 10am – 5pm June to August

How to get to Wanaka Lavender Farm

Address: 36 Morris Rd, Wanaka 9382, New Zealand

Drive time: Wanaka 5km – 6mins Queenstown 65km – 60mins

Entry fee

• December – March Adults $15, Children 5-15 $7.50, under 5s free.
• April – November Adults $7, Children 5-15 $3.50, under 5s free.

Looking for other things to do around Wanaka?

Aside from sky-diving, hiking, and lake-based activities like paddle-boarding and kayaking, there are awesome mountain biking trails, and of course, Puzzle World with its outdoor maze!

Planning your New Zealand trip? Check out these posts!

• 23 Epic Destinations for a Honeymoon in New Zealand
• North Island Itinerary Ideas + Best Places to Visit
• South Island Itinerary Ideas for 1-4 Weeks
• 8 Top Tips for Planning a New Zealand Trip
• 15 Best Day Hikes in the South Island, New Zealand
• Things to Do in Mount Cook, New Zealand
• What to Do in Christchurch, New Zealand
• What to Do with 2 Days in Auckland
• Black Water Rafting at Waitomo Caves

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