Original Bridestowe Lavender Farm receives provisional heritage listing

It’s where it all began for one of Tasmania’s most iconic attractions, and soon the original Bridestowe Lavender Farm could be recognised for how special it is.

The current Bridestowe Lavender Farm at Nabowla. Image: Tourism Tasmania.

The Bridestowe Lavender Farm is one of Tasmania’s iconic attractions, but the renowned rows of purple flowers stretching across Nabowla farmland had humble beginnings at a different site, which has now been recognised for its historical significance.

On North Lilydale’s Browns Rd is the Bridestowe Original Lavender Farm, which is where the Denny family first started growing and processing the flowers in 1922.

The site has been provisionally listed on the Tasmanian Heritage Register.

The former Bridestowe Lavender Farm. Drying room c1928. Image: Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery

“Bridestowe Original Lavender Farm is of historic cultural heritage significance as the location of the first lavender farm in Australia and as an example of an early lavender farm with associated processing, manufacturing and tourism infrastructure,” the Tasmanian Heritage Council said in a summary about the site.

The former Bridestowe Lavender Farm. View over lavender fields c.1960. Image: Queen Victoria Mueseum

Remaining at the old site are several historic structures, including an old stockroom, a distillery, used to produce lavender oil, a drying room and a machinery shed.

“They appear as simple, utilitarian structures, but while there has been fabric lost since their use for these purposes, they retain some elements which demonstrate their early use and connection to the sometimes revolutionary processes carried out on the farm,” the heritage council said.

The former Bridestowe Lavender Farm. Stock room from north. Image: NRE Tas

The former Bridestowe Lavender Farm. Stock room interior. Image: NRE Tas

Owner of the current Bridestowe Lavender Estate, Robert Ravens, said the farm was relocated to Nabowla in 1947.

“This was a decision they took after the Second World War when labour was becoming increasingly scarce,” he said.

“The family agreed they had to find a more labour efficient way of managing the business ... They went to a lower altitude where the current site is.

“When they moved to Nabowla, they took it to a higher level of excellence.”

Robert Ravens

He said there was something very special about the old Lilydale site.

“The significance of the site is overwhelming,” Mr Ravens said.

“It’s one of the most exciting pieces of sheer commitment to starting an industry.

“The ruins of the old distillery, the old squash court, it’s rather evocative to walk through it, its all very nostalgic and wonderful.”

The current Bridestowe Lavender Farm. Image: Bridestowe Lavender Farm.

A provisional listing means there are still steps before the site can be permanently added to the Tasmanian Heritage List.

It gives members of the community the chance to offer feedback on whether they think it should be permanent.

The Heritage Council will consider the submissions and make the final decision on whether the status.

Mr Ravens said he would like to see the Lilydale site’s listing become cemented.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, a heritage listing is a marvellous step,” he said.

“So much of the passion and process and intellect that went into the business was generated from that site … that’s part of the legacy of Bridestowe Estate.

“I would like overwhelming recognition of the pioneering nature of the industry.”