Lavender Hill is a Qualmark awarded bed and breakfast on seven acres at Beacon Road, Riverhead, Auckland. The property has commercial lavender fields, olive groves, friendly alpacas, a gin distillery and a farm shop, with views across the Upper Harbour to the Sky Tower. Three king rooms each have their own ensuite. One looks over the trees towards the Waitakere Ranges, another over the lavender fields and olive grove, and the third opens onto a covered patio and the lawn. A barn has four bedrooms with ensuites, and can be booked for exclusive use by groups of up to eight or by a family. It is also used for intimate weddings, with several wedding venues close by.
A workshop room with a native rimu table for 10 suits meetings and workshops, about 30 minutes from downtown Auckland. Farm and distillery tours, including gin tastings, can be booked. Online bookings are available over summer, and group bookings all year. Phone +64 21 111 6686. Our pick in Riverhead for a weekend away among the lavender, olives and gin.