The Northern Daily Leader by Matthew Deans

Eucalyptus, lavender and wine are the order of the day

Bendemeer has a new found fame – home to the world’s largest eucalyptus oil plantation.

Having just opened its door to tourists, Banalasta Plantation produces a range of eucalypt oil and lavender products, as well as six varieties of wine.

And it is home to World Forest 2000, where you can sponsor an endangered native tree.

Banalasta Plantation Manager John Wynan explained the plantation was situated 55km from Tamworth on a 6000ha property off the New England Highway.

The property compromises 260ha of eucalypt and has been owned by the Blickling family since 1979.

Mr Wynan explained eucalyptus grown for harvesting only grows to two metres before they are cut back to half a metre.

Between 1998 and 2000 1.2 million (Australiana radiata) trees were planted on the property.

“About half the trees are mechanically harvested during the season, which starts at the end of October and lasts five months,” Mr Wynan said.

“Within a few hours of harvesting, the leaves are placed into large stainless steel distillery units that operate on a warm bath principle,” he said.

“They boil for 60 minutes and as the steam is released, the oil is gently extracted.”

“Using this soft extraction technique results in finer, more aromatic and fuller bodied oil.”

“It takes about 50 bushes to produce 15 litres of eucalyptus oil and Banalasta produces five tonnes or 5000 litres pf oil per year,’ Mr Wynan said.

He said the type of trees grown at Banalasta were particularly good for cosmetic and medicinal usage as opposed to other varieties used in household cleaners.

“Much of the eucalyptus comes from third world countries and in Australia we actually use more than we produce.”

Banalasta’s own products include oils, soaps, face creams, antiseptic, and shampoo and chest liniments.

Mr Wynan said the high altitude of the property created an environment suited to lavender.

First planted in 2000, 12,000 lavender plants today grow on the property enabling the company to produce more than 50 litres each year.

The six wine varieties are Riesling, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir.

“It is one of the highest altitude wineries in Australia, which means the ripening process is slower, so the wine is fuller and fruitier,” Mr Wynan said.