Emu Bay Lavender: Ron visits the Kangaroo Island region of South Australia
Emu bay is one of Kangaroo Island's well-known holiday destinations. There are plenty of classic old shacks tucked away in the dunes and a great sweep of holiday homes taking in views of the bay and jetty.
Most days you'll find someone catching a feed. KI has a well-deserved reputation for it's fishing and the endless procession of rural vistas.
While traditional rural pursuits will always be a part of this island hideaway. Local farmers have shown a growing willingness to change and in Tony Bell's case that's meant kicking the merino rams off this paddock and replacing them with something a little more fragrant - lavender.
"It's something Maria wanted to do so we did it together," he told us.
While Tony checks the plants, his partner Maria Patterson is in the kitchen, at the back of their giftshop cum cafe cum ice creamery. Here nothing goes to waste.
"We have a big pot of white vinegar and we just pop the lavender in. It adds the colour and the scent. Everything just infuses."
The options are endless. "It's used for anything medicinal, culinary or relaxation," said Maria. That means on the shelves you'll find lavender jelly, shampoo and conditioner, hand and body lotions, lavender scented candles, lavender short bread, bath crystals, lavender lollies and one of the Emu Bay Lavender's most popular products, lavender infused icecream.
It's a hit with mum, dad and the kids and is now the icing on the cake for owner Tony Bell. Although in the beginning, when planting Maria's four thousand lavenders it must have felt like Patterson's curse.
"It meant a lot of backache and lot of heartache and sweat putting the rows in," he laughed. "I've always had a green thumb but not to this extent. Putting a few vegies in was easy but this is completely different."
They now have thirteen varieties growing, which are harvested in December. That's when the flowers are on show in an explosion of lavender scented purple.
For any of the amazing products made at Emu Bay Lavender head down the Emu Bay Road. The shop and cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am until 4.30. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au
Emu Bay Lavender Cafe & Shop
Emu Bay Road
Open Wed to Sun 10am to 4.30pmPublished 17th Sept 2006
