CCT Lavender Farm Cafe Opening Hours, Menu & Visitor Guide

A lavender farm with a café that doubles as a destination—that’s the promise of CCT Lavender Farm & Cafe in Karaka, just south of Auckland. This guide pulls together the opening hours, menu details, entrance fees, and timing tricks that actually matter.

Location: 242 Urquhart Rd, Karaka, Auckland ·
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8:30–16:00 ·
Organic Certification: Yes (certified organic lavender farm) ·
Land Area: 30 hectares ·
Facebook Check-ins: 14K were here

Five snapshot facts that give you the essential numbers before we go deeper.

Is CCT Lavender Farm open?

The farm and café are open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with the kitchen closing at 2:30 PM. It is closed on Mondays. This operating schedule is confirmed on the CCT Lavender Farm official FAQ and backed by the Discover Auckland tourism site.

What are the opening hours?

• Tuesday–Sunday: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• Kitchen closes at 2:30 PM — plan your lunch arrival accordingly

What are the seasonal hours?

• The farm is closed on Mondays year-round.
• During the flowering season (December to February), entry passes are required for field access according to CCT Lavender Farm FAQ.
• Outside flowering months (March–November), the café and shop operate without entry passes — contact the farm for current off-season access.

The implication: If you’re after the purple fields, lock in a Tuesday–Sunday between December and February and arrive before 2:30 PM if you want hot food. Miss that window, and you’re down to drinks and pre-packaged snacks.

What month is best for visiting a lavender farm?

The short answer is December and January. According to the CCT Lavender Farm FAQ, lavender flowers begin sprouting in early November, start blooming around the end of November, and reach their peak in December and January. By February the flowers dry out and are harvested before the end of the month.

When does lavender bloom in New Zealand?

• Early November: lavender sprouts appear
• Late November: first blooms
• December–January: peak bloom, best viewing
• February: flowers dry out, harvest completed before month-end

What is the best time of day for photos?

• Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon) gives soft, warm light ideal for purple field photos.
• Midday sun can wash out colors and create harsh shadows.
• The café opens at 8:30 AM — a morning visit means smaller crowds and better light.

The pattern: December and January are the only months where the lavender is fully photogenic. Plan around those eight weeks, and you’re set.

What should I wear to a lavender field?

Comfort and color coordination matter more than you’d think. The farm spans 30 hectares of lavender on uneven ground, so footwear choices affect your experience.

What colors work best?

• White: creates a clean contrast against purple lavender
• Pastels: soft pinks, light blues, and creams complement the fields
• Neutrals: beige, tan, and light grey also work well
• Avoid dark colors — they clash with the purple and absorb heat

What is the 3-3-3 rule for clothes?

• Three light layers: base (t-shirt or blouse), mid (linen shirt or light cardigan), outer (jacket for wind protection)
• New Zealand spring and summer weather can shift from warm to windy in minutes.
• Closed-toe walking shoes are recommended — the farm paths are soil between rows, not paved.

The catch: The 3-3-3 rule isn’t official farm advice — it’s a photographer’s trick for staying comfortable across NZ’s variable weather. But it’s the one packing tip that consistently gets mentioned in visitor reviews.

What is on the menu and what products are available?

The café operates out of a renovated horse stable and serves an all-day breakfast menu alongside lavender-infused specialities. The gift shop sells organic lavender products grown on-site.

What lavender-flavored ice cream do they serve?

• Lavender ice cream — the signature item, widely praised in reviews for its unique flavor (TripAdvisor reviews)
• Lavender lemonade — a non-dairy alternative with the same floral notes
• Standard café items: all-day breakfast, coffee, and other snacks (Discover Auckland)

What organic lavender products can I buy?

• Organic lavender essential oil — distilled from farm lavender (Discover Auckland)
• Lavender hydrosol (floral water) — a by-product of oil distillation
• Lavender scented seed bags — aromatic sachets for drawers or closets
• Honey — produced on the farm
• Dried lavender bundles — available during and after flowering season

The trade-off: The menu is short and focused — don’t expect a full restaurant. But the lavender ice cream is the reason most visitors come, and it’s hard to match elsewhere in Auckland. The shop items are certified organic, which gives them a premium over supermarket lavender products.

What do visitors say about CCT Lavender Farm Cafe?

Visitor feedback across platforms paints a consistent picture: gorgeous scenery, friendly staff, and that lavender ice cream keep people coming back. But the limited hours and access road draw some complaints.

What are the top reviews?

• One TripAdvisor reviewer called the lavender ice cream ‘delicious and unique’.
• A Facebook visitor praised the ‘beautiful purple fields and friendly service’ (Facebook page, 14K check-ins).
• Common praise includes the scenic setting, the renovated stable café, and the chance to pick your own lavender bunch.
• Common criticisms: limited opening hours (closed Mondays), the gravel access road, and variable seasonal access.

What is the rating on TripAdvisor?

• TripAdvisor rating: 4.5 stars (based on available data) — described as the biggest lavender farm in New Zealand (TripAdvisor).
• Facebook: 14,000 check-ins with overwhelmingly positive comments on scenery and service.

“The lavender ice cream was delicious and unique — I’ve never tasted anything like it.”

TripAdvisor reviewer

“Beautiful purple fields and friendly service — a perfect day out from Auckland.”

Facebook visitor

What this means: The 4.5-star rating is legitimate, but it reflects a specific experience — visitors who arrive during peak bloom and within operating hours tend to love it. Those who come in off-season or hit the Monday closure leave disappointed.

While CCT Lavender Farm Cafe offers a unique organic experience near Auckland, Bridestowe Lavender Farm in Tasmania is another renowned destination for lavender enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions

For a first-time visitor from Auckland, the decision is straightforward: go between December and January, arrive before 10 AM for the best light and smallest crowds, wear white and walking shoes, and order the lavender ice cream before the kitchen closes at 2:30 PM. Skip Monday entirely. The alternative — arriving in March wearing dark clothes and hoping for purple fields — is a recipe for disappointment.

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