Four Weeks of French Fantasy: The Hunter's Lavender Love Story
IMAGES SOURCE: HUNTER LAVENDER FARM
There is a unique place nestled deep in the Hunter Valley near the little town of Broke that is open to the public for just one month per year. Surrounded by boutique wineries and a stunning rural landscape, visiting this property is like stepping into Provence, France and is truly a ‘sensory journey’. Those in the know come every year, and this year, the owner are celebrating their third season.
This fleeting but extraordinary summer experience is, of course, at the Hunter Lavender Farm.
Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, JR and Marianne Villanueva, who both hail from the Philippines, the farm is a dream come true and one they’ve had to work very hard for.
The couple grew up in the countryside of Zambales, located along the northern coast of the Philippines and attended high school together. It was clear that they had eyes for each other from the beginning, but life took them on separate paths as they pursued their university studies. It was in 2007, when Marianne was just 24 years of age, that she uprooted her life and moved solo to Australia, where her skills were in high demand and where she climbed the corporate ladder. Years later, a work project in Malaysia for a year gave her a chance to fly home to the Philippines on the weekends, which was when she reignited her friendship with JR. Fast forward to 2014, when the couple was married in the Hunter Valley after
JR migrated to be with Marianne. They lived the corporate hustle and bustle lifestyle in Sydney.
The couple celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary with a church wedding and a honeymoon trip to Europe in 2018, which became a lifechanging and inspirational experience.
“I planned the trip very carefully, and when my husband saw that I had included the lavender fields in Provence, France, he was a bit sceptical. He wasn’t particularly into flowers and certainly didn’t expect visiting flower farms to be part of the itinerary. But when we both saw lavender as far as our eyes could see, he was just as captivated as I was. It was surreal, and the memory has become an inspiration for our farm today.” said Marianne.
In 2019, on a visit to the Hunter Valley, they stumbled across a 14-acre property for sale and transformed it into a weekend retreat, taking the 2-hour drive every chance they could get and envisioning how they could bring the land to life.
"We spent a lot of time researching what we could plant that would make the most of our 14-acre property. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, we wanted something unique that would complement the area’s charm while being financially sustainable. Having experienced the therapeutic benefits of lavender firsthand and inspired by the breathtaking lavender fields we saw on our honeymoon, it felt like the perfect choice. This crop could thrive in the region and allow us to create something truly special."
A year later, COVID lockdown occurred, and as the old saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. So, the couple turned this global pandemic into an opportunity to work on the farm. The family moved to their Hunter Valley retreat along with JR's mum, who was visiting at the time and started the laborious process of farming lavenders. They did all the clearing, tilling and planting themselves. It was truly a labour of love, and before long, they had over 4,000 lavenders on the ground.
"One of the benefits of farming lavender is that whilst it takes a lot of effort to set up, the routine care and maintenance is still manageable for the two of us. We chose the variety of lavender we had seen in Provence, Lavandin Grosso, and whilst we received a lot of advice to do test plots to see if they would thrive in our region, we went ahead and planted an acre with lavender. It was a case of 'go big or go home', and the gamble paid off as the lavender plants are now fully grown, transforming the landscape into a breathtaking sea of purple with every bloom. This season will be a true Provence experience for our visitors. I’m really excited about this summer.”
The couple harvested their first crop in December 2021 and launched their website and their first four products in April 2022. The initial products were Dried Lavender Sachets, Pure Lavender Essential Oil, Dried Lavender and Handmade Ceramic Vase and a Lavender at Home Gift Set. They opened to the public for the first time in December 2022.
“We ensure there’s something new for our returning customers every year. New products, new experiences, people look forward to it.”
Each season is defined by a unique theme, creating a fresh sense of excitement each year. This summer’s theme, A Sensory Journey, invites you, your family, and your friends to escape into nature and immerse yourselves in the beauty, fragrance, and taste of lavender. The farm’s short, carefully timed season coincides with the lavender’s peak bloom – when the flowers are at their most vibrant and fragrant – drawing thousands of visitors. This year, the season runs from 14 December to 5 January, with the possibility of an extension depending on thebweather and the condition of the flowers.
“While our farm is open to visitors for just a few weeks each summer, our certified Australian Grown and Made lavender products are available year-round through our online store, with delivery worldwide. We also participate in trade shows and handmade markets to share our passion for lavender directly with our customers and connect with other local
makers.”
Hunter Lavender Farm produces and sells a range of ever-expanding products that now include Sleep Well Pillow Mist, Be Calm Lavender Rollon, Unwind Lavender Candle, Lavender Eye Pillow, Lavender Soaps with Lavender Tea Towels, Relax Bath Salts, Nourish Body Oil, Refresh Shower Steamers, Dried Lavender Bunches, Pure Honey, Lavender Rock Candy,
Lavender Tea, Lavender Simple Syrup, Culinary Lavender and Lavender Gelatos. There are specially curated wellness gift packs available, too.
Where there is lavender, there are bees, and Hunter Lavender Farm has built a home for these beneficial insects. They work in perfect synergy with nature, pollinating flowers and crops, foraging nectars from lavenders and native flora surrounding the farm, and creating exquisite honey. Visitors can enjoy a Honey Harvest Experience for $55 or do a Beekeeping for Beginners experience for $95 to learn the basic of beekeeping through a hands-on exploration of an active and buzzing beehive. You’ll don protective gear, light a smoker and inspect the hive – where you’ll see firsthand the inner workings of a productive beehive.
When it comes to experiences at the Hunter Lavender Farm, it’s all about the lavender, of course. Visitors can book a Lavender Field Walk for just $15 at certain times of the day. Numbers are limited to 50 people at a time to ensure an enjoyable farm experience and better photo opportunities. Stroll through the lavender fields in full bloom before enjoying the delicious lavender gelato and exploring the lavender products available.
Professional photography sessions are also available for $280 with a Lavender Mini Photo Session. Create a memento to last a lifetime with the lavender fields in full bloom set against various backgrounds such as a wooded creek, sprawling vineyards and a mythic Lizard Rock formation. The package includes an album of 15 images, making an ideal gift or
celebrating a special occasion such as an engagement or impending motherhood.
The Dried Lavender and Flower Arrangement experience is on 4 January and costs $185. It’s a fun day learning the art of dried flower arrangements with an experienced florist who will teach you the basics of design and colours and guide you through every step of the process. Complete with a grazing platter, it’s a fun two-hour workshop with family or friends.
“The event I am most excited about this year is our Yoga in Lavender Bloom - The Ultimate Summer Yoga Experience that we’re holding on 31 December to welcome the New Year with intention and serenity. It will be an unforgettable morning of yoga, mindfulness, and natural beauty. It includes a 60-minute yoga session for all skill levels, a Ceremonial Lavender Cacao to open the heart and awaken the senses, followed by a sound bath and breathwork. It will be a special morning and is the perfect way to bid farewell to the old and embrace the new.”
Since the initial planting, Hunter Lavender Farm is now home to around 15,000 lavenders of different varieties. When it comes to the future, Marianne and JR still have dreams and goals to reach, with a vision for Hunter Lavender Farm to become a complete visitor experience where you can stay, shop, and eat. To heighten the French-inspired experience, head to Mount Broke Wines, which is just a stone’s throw away from the lavender fields, and book a table at their French bistro style restaurant. The farm is right in the heart of the Broke Fordwich Wine Trail, so you wouldn't run out of places to go or experiences to try if you are visiting for an extended period. Enjoy visits to farm gate producers, alpaca feeding, boutique cellar doors, and heritage-listed Wonnarua sites.
If you’re new to the Hunter Valley or a regular, visiting Broke and Hunter Lavender Farm is a must-do. No need to fly to Provence – wander among the lavender blooms right here for a unique experience, but hurry, it’s a fleeting magical time that won’t last beyond early January. For bookings, visit www.hunterlavenderfarm.com.au.
