Lunch at Crystal Brook Gardens and Lavender Farm

Although the lavender is not yet in bloom, I spent the most amazing birthday exploring the beautiful gardens of Crystal Brook.

Located just over two hours south of Sydney (a little longer if your driving from central Sydney) is a small lavender farm and boutique garden centre called Crystal Brook Gardens.

I was asked a simple question by my partner. What did I want to do for my birthday. I answered, I wanted to visit a lavender farm. Of course, the pain of having a birthday so early in Spring, is that a lot of the flowers are not yet in bloom for many plants. Most tend to bloom either later on on in September or even October.

And then there’s lavender. Depending on what breed a farm is growing it can either be flowering now, flowering in October, or flowering in the new year (January). I knew it was a risk, so I searched for a farm, which would still be worth visiting, with a cafe and nice gardens, so it could still be enjoyed even if the lavender wasn’t yet in bloom.

I had reached out to the lovely owner of Crystal Brook and explained it was birthday on a specific day and that I wanted to come visit their farm. I did this, as I knew the farm wasn’t exactly open as it was not the season and they would probably have to plan for our visit.

She was so excited to have us come and advised she be happy to have us visit (myself and partner that is) to sit for lunch in the gardens and enjoy a lovely (hopefully sunny) day exploring the gardens. So, I booked us in and we were all set for my birthday day to go exploring.

On arrival we met the owner who was in the process of gardening and preparing her gardens and farm for when it was open season. For the cafe and the rest of her business. There was a sweet dog called Jack who greeted us also and wanted nothing but love. Whilst lunch was being prepared, we spent an hour wandering through the gardens and exploring the grounds. Although the lavender wasn’t it bloom, it still smelt amazing.

If you don’t know much about lavender, I’ll tell you a secret, which is not exactly a revolutionary secret LOL. The leaves are just as scented as the flowers. You simply rub the leaves between your fingers or your hands and the lavender scent is instantly released. Amazing.

Lunch was a home made gluten free pot pie (non gluten free for my partner) and it was absolutely delicious. We were treated to herbal tea and home made brownies. Simply amazing.

And because it was the off season, we were the only visitors. So we had the whole place all to ourselves. We sat with the owner and chatted for more than hour, about life around Goulburn, on the farm, and the hardship of having a farm. Of course, there are plenty of happy stories and pluses of having the farm too.

It was such an amazing day. Though the weather was absolutely freezing, at a lot 6 degrees (lucky we had beanies, gloves and jackets with us), the sun was out and it was nice to enjoy the warms of the fireplace inside, eating a delicious pot pie whilst looking out over the gardens.

If you want to explore the grandees during their peak time, then January is the time to go. That’s when the lavender is in full bloom, the garden is nice and green and the cafe is ready to serve up a delicious menu.