Warratina Lavender Farm

Warratina Lavender Farm is a small family-run property in Wandin Yallock, near the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. Established in 1991, the farm grows, harvests, and processes lavender for its own body-care products, home fragrances, gourmet foods, and gifts.

Visitors can walk among seasonal lavender rows, explore the homestead gardens, browse the farm shop and stop at the Lavender Tea Room. The experience changes throughout the year, so choosing the right season is important. The largest floral display usually runs from mid-November to the end of December, rather than throughout spring or summer.

The farm currently welcomes general visitors from Wednesday to Sunday during its open season. Winter closures apply, although pre-booked group visits may be available when the farm is otherwise closed to casual visitors.

Lavender Fields, Gardens and Flowering Season

Warratina combines lavender-growing areas with homestead gardens and visitor spaces. Explore the public displays around the tea room, shop and car park, then follow the areas open for the day’s visitors.

More than 10,000 lavender plants grow across the property. The homestead gardens also include roses, spring bulbs, established trees, and other seasonal plants, offering something to see before the main lavender bloom begins.

When to See the Lavender

Peak flowering generally occurs from mid-November through to the end of December. This is the best period for visitors hoping to photograph rows of purple lavender and experience the strongest fragrance.

Some varieties flower earlier or later, but visitors should not expect extensive purple fields year-round. During September and early spring, the lavender may not yet be in flower, although bulbs, roses and other plants can provide colour around the homestead.

Harvesting takes place between November and January. The crop is cut by hand with a sickle in the early morning before being taken to the drying shed. Once dry, the flower heads are stripped and sifted for use in food, decorative products, body care and household items.

Because edible lavender can be harvested early in the season, some rows may be cut while other varieties remain in bloom. Visitors travelling primarily to see the flowers should check the latest farm update before making a special journey.

Tea Room and Farm-Made Products

The Lavender Tea Room overlooks the fields and gardens, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Its best-known item is the lavender scone, accompanied by options such as lavender tea, lavender lattes and lavender milkshakes. The menu can also include coffee, chilled drinks, quiche and other light meals or refreshments. Availability may vary by season and operating day.

Check tea-room service before a meal-focused trip, and book ahead for an organised group. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan catering may be available for organised groups. During autumn and winter, the tea room may close to casual visitors while remaining available for pre-booked groups of at least 15 people.

Shopping for Lavender Products

The farm shop sells products made using lavender grown and processed at Warratina. The range includes dried lavender, soaps, shampoos, conditioners, massage oils, heat packs, muscle rubs, home fragrances, gourmet treats and gift packs. Products are assembled on the farm, and many are available year-round through the online store, including when the property is closed to visitors.

Browsing the shop gives visitors a clearer picture of how the crop is used after harvesting. Culinary lavender and lavender-inspired gifts provide ways to take something of the farm experience home.

Opening Hours, Admission and Group Tours

General admission is currently free. Tea room and shop purchases are charged separately, while ticketed seasonal events may have their own prices. The farm and tea room currently open from 10am to 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Group packages have their own appointment arrangements, including a published 9am-5pm high-season window from October to January. Casual visitors should use the current 10am-4pm public timetable; Mondays and Tuesdays are closed.

Warratina closes to general visitors during winter and reopens in spring. Exact seasonal dates can change, so visitors should check the current farm announcement before travelling.

Pre-booked group visits operate under a separate structure. Group prices are currently $12.50 per person during February to May and September, increasing to $17.50 per person from October to January.

Guided Group Visits

Groups of 10 to 50 people can arrange a guided farm experience by appointment. The package includes a tour of the lavender fields and gardens, access to the drying shed, information about cultivating and using lavender, self-serve tea or coffee, lavender ice cream and time in the gift shop.

Brunch, lunch or afternoon tea can be added for an additional charge. The farm regularly accommodates garden clubs, Probus groups, retirement groups, community organisations and educational visits.

Access, Parking and Getting There

The visitor areas include relatively flat ground and gentle slopes, making much of the farm manageable for visitors with limited mobility. An accessible toilet is available, along with garden seating and a covered outdoor dining area. Natural surfaces, garden paths and changing weather may still affect access. Visitors with specific mobility requirements should contact the farm before arriving.

On-site parking is available, including space for small buses and coaches. The farm is at 105 Quayle Road, Wandin Yallock, also commonly addressed as Wandin North, about an hour east of central Melbourne by car. Driving is the simplest option, particularly when combining a visit with other Yarra Valley or Dandenong Ranges attractions.

Visitors using public transport can take a train to Lilydale and continue by taxi. A bus approach may involve a substantial rural walk from the nearest suitable stop. Check the current journey planner for the route, stop and full walking distance before choosing it. Assess the rural walk for your group’s mobility and the weather, and arrange a taxi from Lilydale if a road walk is unsuitable.

Allow about one to two hours for a casual visit, including the gardens, lavender rows, shop, and tea room. Visitors during peak flowering may stay longer to take photos or enjoy refreshments.

Warratina Lavender Farm FAQs

When should I visit for flowering lavender?
Mid-November to the end of December is the usual peak display, with varieties, weather and harvesting affecting individual rows. Check the current farm update before travelling for photographs; an open spring garden does not mean extensive purple lavender is already in flower.

What can I do outside peak bloom?
Homestead gardens, the shop and tea room provide another side to the farm during public opening. Look for seasonal bulbs, roses and trees, and browse how harvested lavender is used in foods, body care and household products.

Is general admission free?
Current general entry is free, while food, drinks, farm products, group packages and ticketed events cost separately. Plan purchases around the outing you want rather than treating a guided group experience as part of ordinary admission.

What are the public hours?
Current casual visits are Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm, with Monday and Tuesday closed and seasonal closures also applying. The group page has separate appointment windows, so do not apply its high-season 9am-5pm listing to a casual visit.

What does a guided group visit include?
Groups of 10-50 can enquire about a tour of the fields and gardens, drying-shed information, tea or coffee facilities, lavender ice cream and shop time. Packages are listed at $12.50 per person in February-May and September or $17.50 in October-January, with added catering charged separately.

Can I rely on the tea room being open all year?
Seasonal restrictions apply, and autumn or winter service may be arranged only for pre-booked groups. Confirm the date, group minimum and catering directly, particularly if the tea room is the main reason for your trip.

Can visitors with limited mobility visit?
Much of the visitor area has flat ground or gentle slopes, with seating and an accessible toilet. Natural paths and weather still matter, so discuss the particular route, parking and assistance needed before arrival.

How can I get there without driving?
A train to Lilydale followed by an arranged taxi avoids a long rural roadside approach. Check the full current bus-and-walk journey if considering that option, including your return and whether the walking section suits your group.