Hahndorf family-owned business has huge surprise success after latest venture

A long-time family business in the Adelaide Hills has seen almost overnight success after making one simple change.

An Adelaide Hills business has seen surprising success after a decision to open to the public ended with so many people turning up they had to close the gates.

Owners of the Hahndorf Lavender Estate have been expanding their lavender fields for more than seven years and in December decided to open its gates to the public for ‘pick your own lavender’ farm tours.

Owners Thomas and Nicole Mahar said they expected only a few dozen people when they opened the farm to the public on December 13 – but were stunned by the turnout.

“We thought we would maybe have 30-40 people a day come through,” Mr Mahar said.

The Hahndorf Lavender Estate has opened its gate to the public for the first time and found unexpected success. Picture: Supplied.

“We didn’t expect the 200-plus people a day to be coming through. This has really shot our business out into the open, and everyone who comes here goes, ‘Oh my god, we didn’t even know this lavender farm existed’.”

Mr Mahar said they were forced to close the gates during some days and even had to turn some people away.

Nicole Mahar has also launched a cosmetic line – Lave Essentials – using the essential oils distilled from its 50,000 lavender plants in a goal to become an agricultural tourism gem just off the freeway.

“The amount of people we have had come in from out of state or overseas has just been incredible,” Mr Mahar said.

“Even our social media account has blown up and it’s all been word of mouth.”

Now the estate has teamed up with up and coming photographer Ashley of Gingered Peach Imagery, to offer professional photography among the striking purple flowers.

Sam, Chloe and their daughter Ottilie Allen at the Hahndorf Lavender Estate. Picture: Gingered Peach Imagery

“So far we have a few people interested and a few bookings that range from maternity to couples and engagement shoots,” Ashley said.

Tour bookings cost $20 per person with walk ins welcome and two-hour photography sessions cost $375.

“We do have plans for the future to offer different session lengths as well,” she said.

The opportunity came after she asked to come and take photos with Chloe, Sam and Ottilie Allen on one of the tours.

“It all happened quite fast, I had a family up there to take some photos and they asked to see the results,” Ashley said.

“I guess they were blown away with the results … next thing you know we were talking about how many bookings I could do and session times.”

Fullerton mother Chloe Allen was one of the first to be photographed in the fields by Ashley and was blown away by the location.

“I couldn’t believe that this was just up the freeway and we were still in Adelaide,” Ms Allen said.

“It’s just insane that something so beautiful and so hidden is within reach for a lot of people because Hahndorf isn’t that far away.”

Originally published as Hahndorf family-owned business has huge surprise success after latest venture