Lavender farm Bridestowe Estate hits the market: A premier agri-tourism investment opportunity
A stunning century-old lavender farm synonymous with Tasmanian tourism – and a social media backdrop hotspot – is on the market for the first time in almost 20 years.
Bridestowe Estate in Tasmania’s north-east is recognised as the world’s largest privately-owned lavender farm, established in 1922.
According to listing agents Elders, the farm is one of the most photographed tourism destinations locally and internationally.
Set among oak trees, a dam and a mountainous backdrop, the scenic spot – home to more than 660,000 manicured lavender plants, the French variety – is so much more than just a pretty picture.
Elders agent Allanah Fernance said investors were in negotiations to capitalise on the agri-tourism farming operation with a distillery, licensed cafe, retail shop and residential dwellings following an expressions-of-interest campaign and would not disclose the asking price.
The farm takes full bloom from December until harvest, around late January or early February.
“It’s just a spectacular outlook at any time of the year, but particularly in the blooming seasons … tourists certainly flock to the area,” said Fernance.
“It’s a really well-rounded location for people to visit, and I think that’s why it’s been so attractive to the market, in that it’s something you sort of can’t recreate.
“The vendor has put a lot of time and effort into developing it into the business it is today.”
The current owners are letting go after 18 years and hope the next custodians will continue to develop the property’s potential.
“That’s certainly their hope, that the next owner will continue to develop it,” added Fernance.
The established production of lavender oil value adds to this unique farming investment and positions buyers to take advantage of the state’s tourism boom.
The estate is set across two titles, 293 and 296 Gillespies Road, Nabowla, an hour’s drive north of Launceston Airport, and is open to the public daily, except Christmas Day.
The sale comes a decade after the tourist hotspot made headlines due to its popular purple teddy bear becoming famous after a model and social-media influencer from China, Zhang Xinyu, posted a picture of herself with it.
Bridestowe Estate soon became a beacon for Chinese tourists desperate to get their hands on the stuffed purple bear, which the owners created simply to use up excess dried lavender.
It became an international smash hit, with the estate selling 40,000 bears in 2013 alone, but it was not anywhere near enough for consumers, with rations per customer necessary.
The Tasmanian farm is not the only one affected; social media influencers are reportedly trampling on lavender fields across the globe to get the best photo and attract followers.
The main farm covers about 107 hectares and is split into two separate pieces of land. Of this, 44 hectares are dedicated to growing the lavender plants.
There’s also another nearby piece of land, about 54 hectares, connected to the main farm. It has a river running along its edge and includes a three-bedroom house and additional three-bedroom cottages.
