Farm Tours

Discover something truly special just 30 minutes north of the Auckland CBD. Join us at Lavender Hill in Riverhead for a hands-on guided farm tour that’s equal parts fascinating, picturesque, and plain good fun.

Whether you want to wander through lavender fields, learn about essential oil distillation, or taste award-winning craft gin, we have an experience for you.

Choose Your Tour Experience

1. Summer Farm & Harvest Tours (Dec – Jan)

Our signature public Farm & Distillery Tours are highly popular from December through to mid-January while our lavender is in full bloom and ready for harvest. These are perfect for individuals, couples, and families looking for a fantastic day out with plenty of vineyards and local taverns or breweries. 👉 [Button: Book Your Summer Tour Now] (Link this button to tickettailor.com)

2. Private Group Bookings & Garden Clubs (Year-Round)

Looking for a unique outing for a gardening group, social club, or corporate team? We host private group tours and formal gin tastings by appointment throughout the year. Even after the lavender has been harvested, our "Little Lottie" craft gin experience remains a massive crowd favourite! 👉 To secure a date for your group, please contact us at info@lavenderhill.co.nz or call +64 21 111 6686.

What to Expect on Your Lavender Hill Tour

This is not just a stroll through pretty fields. Host farmers Jason and Trisha will walk you through the genuine behind-the-scenes operations of a working farm and distillery:

• The Lavender Lifecycle: Learn how commercial-oil lavender grows, how it’s harvested, and what makes it different from the varieties you plant in your home garden.
• Essential Oil Distillation: Get an exclusive inside look at the still where our 100% pure lavender oil is made.
• Craft Gin Tasting: Head over to “Little Lottie”—our boutique gin still. Hear how we use botanicals (including farm-grown ingredients) to craft our gin, and round off the experience with a complimentary tasting.
• Olives & Alpacas: Enjoy a walkthrough of our olive trees showcasing different varieties and pruning techniques. Plus, you'll get to hand-feed our friendly resident alpacas!
• Sweeping Views & Shopping: Take in stunning views of the Auckland city skyline and Hobsonville, and browse our farm shop for local, artisanal products. (Note: Click-and-collect is available anytime; please check Google for standard shop hours).

Important Note: The lavender fields are in full bloom up to mid-January. If you visit us after this short season, the flower fields won't be in bloom, but your tour will still run with all the same fantastic elements (including the gin and the alpacas!).

Why Visit Lavender Hill?

• Authentic & Local: We are not a big commercial operation, but a genuine family-run farm doing things carefully and passionately.
• Insightful Education: From plants to oil to gin—you’ll understand the full lifecycle of botanical distilling.
• Scenic & Relaxing: Enjoy 7 acres of beautiful lavender, olive, and lemon groves just a stone's throw from the city.
• Interactive Fun: Ask questions, pet the alpacas, and discover the art of craft distilling.

Visitor Advisory: Because this is a working farm and much of the tour's value lies in the in-depth Q&A about our operations, this tour may not be suitable for toddlers or very young children.

Tour Pricing & Details

• Adults: $30.00 per person
• Children (Under 15): Free
• Weather Policy: As an outdoor experience, tours are subject to weather. Please include your contact details when booking so we can notify you of any changes (we will happily arrange another date or provide a full refund).

Hear From Our Guests

"Great Christmas present tour of Lavender Hill! Lavender/oil and products, olive grove and product, gin sampling and distillery, and alpacas to pat. Expansive views of the city and Hobsonville. Super informative and friendly tour host Jason and the lovely Patricia on shop duty. A great outing." — Karen, 2024

"Good quality products with reasonable price, and the tour is very nice. Thank you for the wonderful experience." — Cathy, 2024

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Ready to visit Lavender Hill?

• [Button: Book a Summer Tour on TicketTailor]
• Group Bookings: Call +64 21 111 6686 or email info@lavenderhill.co.nz to arrange your year-round visit.