(Visited 12/18/24 WE @ 1:30pm): No emus seen at this lavender farm near a bay!…read more
A friend and I were on Day 5 of our 12-Day Southern Australia Explorer cruise with Princess Cruises while on the fourth stop - Emu Bay Lavender Farm - of our shore excursion ("Tempting Tasting Trail" $374.95AUD pp). Emu Bay Lavender Farm's humble story began in 2001 where a small lavender garden was first planted. Twenty-three years later, the farm now ran over 51 acres of land and had an estimate of 7,500 lavender plants that included 12 different varieties of Lavandula Angustifolia & Lavandula Intermedia. The property was based in Emu Bay on Kangaroo Island which was one of South Australia's pristine centers of agriculture, conservation and tourism. The business was owned by a 5th generation island family who continually strove to increase the farms efficiency and sustainability. During the summer, Kangaroo Island's famous Ligurian bees pollinated the flowers and began producing their signature lavender honey. They hand-harvested and stripped around 8,000 bunches per year, and distilled 10 kilograms of essential oil which was used in all of their handmade therapeutic products. This may not sound like much, but it took about 100 kilograms of flowers to produce just one kilogram of oil. Emu Bay Lavender Farm also had a fully-licensed café offering breakfast and lunch, while the menu used seasonal and local produce, best washed down with local ciders, wines and spirits. Would this lavender farm by Emu Bay be worth the stop!?
PURCHASE
Chicken Salad Wrap ($18.00AUD Included): A decent amount of soft chicken, tomato, and greens all wrapped in a flour tortilla, this was a kind meal that mainly held me over until we returned for the gluttonous feast on the cruise ship. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=Tg7HXXKJ_KX9Di-yrlWn0A
Lavender Gin & Tonic Cocktail ($18.00AUD Included): A floral aromatic and flavorful gin, this was a refreshingly simple elixir especially on a hot day; sip and enjoy! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=tW3rgYeyccpJwWTDcknrTg
Their Famous Lavender Scone w/Lavender Jelly, Jam & Cream ($12.00AUD Included): This was the most delicate fluffy moist scone I've ever eaten while the spreads were sweet and amazing. This was a must-have! https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=av2geDFmgpPuTIuYkZ8Haw
SERVICE
Our large group of hungry tourists were warmly greeted by an energetic hostess who quickly seated us in a covered outdoor patio while another staffer took our order from a limited menu selection for us. Like clockwork, everyone's food and drink arrived in an orderly fashion. Empty dishes were cleared away, our dessert soon followed, and at the end we were all thanked for coming and wished a wonderful rest of our day - awesome!
PARKING (FREE)
They had their own private lot where the tour bus parked - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
The grounds were lovely and covered with lavender https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=gpxKGZDae85poH8aBiKLaA as you were able to walk the farm with designated pathways https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=itwqAzxDY6alnZNMKi2pCA while the merchandise shop https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=l4aCHdseZQxmd_AwY4YIxw was packed with a ton of souvenirs and their kitchen https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=VRO6N2rDKJu1sCu7gr_UfQ attached. Plenty of natural lighting on the outdoor patio and entered through the many windows into the store while sufficient electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There weren't any TVs nor background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=BG3UpJfvRKihG-wUQUUAXQ
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Emu Bay Lavender Farm was a relaxing time while the plethora of lavender was a calming setting. It was a cute place with lovely food and refreshments, and although I didn't buy any souvenirs, they had some cool options https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=YK8O2pEH9HnwgMiG18F1qQ to choose from, especially their gin https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=m1nU3Tqz7E_hgNxeYE_New which I wanted to bring back a bottle. The prices were comparable, the products were fine and varied, and the staff was incredible. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00AUD / $0.00USD BEFORE any discounts/tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS
