Huon Valley Lavender Farm

Huon Valley Lavender Farm began with a simple question: could something better be created for children, and something truer to the land beneath their feet?

The farm is run by husband and wife Kristoff and Marcelle Bakkes, alongside their daughters, Milla (8) and Lara (7). Marcelle’s parents, Peter and Suzanna, also work on the farm. They are fourth-generation crop and livestock farmers who migrated from South Africa and brought a lifetime of practical knowledge and respect for the land.

In 2021, the family returned to their farming roots because they felt uneasy about the chemicals hidden in everyday products. They found a raw, north-facing paddock in Mountain River. It had no water, ageing fences, and strong Tassie winds, but it was rich with possibility.

They trialled seven lavender varieties and tested them through observation and patience. With guidance from Peter and Suzanna, the family established thousands of plants by hand. They also committed to organic, regenerative practices that work with nature rather than against it.

The first true harvest in 2023 marked a turning point. They cut and tied the lavender, slowly distilled the oil on site, and created a scent shaped by soil, wind, and time.

Today, everything they produce — from plant to bottle — reflects that journey. The work is quiet, deliberate, and rooted in place. The farm shares it with the wider community through products, visitors, and collaboration, offering a simple and honest expression of wellness grown in Tasmania’s Huon Valley.