Amandine Lavender is a small family owned and operated the lavender farm near Bargara. Originally a third generation sugarcane farm, it was changed to introduce an alternative industry to the sugarcane. It is a boutique farm, growing lavender to supply the onsite gift shop. It grows a range of lavender varieties, predominately Grey French Lavender (Lavandula Dentata var. Candicans).
You can wander around the grounds amongst the lavender, have a look in the gazebo, and venture into the gift shop. The gazebo has some information about growing lavender, and some recipes to cook with lavender, and a lavender bicycle leaning against the post adds to the charm.
Inside the gift shop, you will find just about everything lavender you can think of. Candles, tea sets, oils, creams, tea towels, soaps, teddy bears, potpourri, and many other things, with a lot of them locally made. What I found interesting was the lavender flavoured edibles, also locally made. I hadn’t thought of lavender to be a flavour. Lavender jelly (condiment), lavender honey, lavender lollies, lavender fudge, lavender chocolate… and the lavender mascarpone gelato was very refreshing on a hot day.
To cook with lavender you need to use a particular species of lavender, you can’t use any type of lavender. If you want to have a go cooking the recipes displayed in the gazebo, Amandine Lavender sells culinary lavender.
The staff were friendly and helpful and answered my newbie questions about growing lavender.
, head east on Avenue St and turn right into Alexandra St. Follow to the next intersection and turn left into Whittred St and follow up to the traffic lights. Turn left onto Princess St and follow for 8.2km becoming Bargara Rd. Turn right into Seaview Rd at the brown sign for Lavender Farm and follow for 2.8km with the driveway entrance to Amandine Lavender Farm on the right.