Petcheys Bay: Lavender, Art and Landscape

Petcheys Bay offers several distinct ways to experience the area: a conservation area, lavender picking by appointment, and art along a sculpture trail and in a gallery. This lets you shape your stay around what you and your family are most interested in discovering: a protected landscape, a hands-on activity or works of art. These themes give the area more than one possible focus. You can first consider whether you are most interested in the landscape, picking your own lavender or artistic works, and let that shape the character of your stay.

A protected landscape with clearly defined boundaries

The Petcheys Bay (Mount Windsor to Black Jack Ridge) Conservation Area extends from the summit of Mount Windsor south and east to the slopes of Black Jack Ridge, and down to the 150-metre contour line. The summit, slopes and contour line provide specific points of reference for its extent. These named landforms make the protected landscape tangible as a place. If you would like to see the landscape as more than a general holiday theme, its precise boundaries offer a distinct point of interest: they direct your attention to the area from Mount Windsor to the slopes of Black Jack Ridge.

The conservation area is visible from the Huon River, an important vantage point for visitors and locals. This brings together two perspectives: the conservation area's explicitly defined boundaries and its visibility from the river. If the landscape is an important part of your trip planning, this view provides a specific point of reference when deciding whether to explore Petcheys Bay further.

Experience lavender and art in different ways

At Lavender Goat Farm, guests can pick fresh lavender themselves in the fields. “You Pick Lavender” sessions are offered, with access by appointment. Picking makes the plants themselves the focus of the activity, distinguishing it from simply viewing the landscape. For families who enjoy including a hands-on experience in their trip, it is a concrete idea to discuss in light of your shared interests and the pace you want for your stay.

There are also different options for art enthusiasts. Ripples Art Farm has a 2 km sculpture trail; check the access arrangements before your trip. The stated length gives you a specific sense of the trail's scope and helps you assess it as a separate activity. Ripples Art Gallery displays works by Ruth and Daren, along with works by ten other artists from southern Tasmania. The sculpture trail combines art with a walk, while the gallery puts the artists' works at the centre. You can decide whether you would prefer to see art along a trail or focus on the artists' works.

Fit experiences into your travel plans

Different arrangements apply when planning ahead: lavender picking requires an appointment, while you should check the access arrangements for the sculpture trail in advance. For one experience, the main consideration is arranging a time; for the other, it is confirming access. This distinction can help you fit the two activities into your plans appropriately, without treating them as the same kind of experience.

Consider which theme matters most to the people travelling with you and whether an appointment fits your plans. This way, your choice of destination reflects the kind of stay you have in mind.

Discover more destinations: Hawley Beach, Rocky Cape, Stanley, Ranelagh, Orford, New Norfolk, Tullah, Scottsdale

For the main travel overview: Tasmania.