Banalasta is not only a producer of organic oils; it also grows a variety of top class wines.

For those looking for a tourist attraction which offers the lot, there are few destinations which can compare with the rural experience offered at Banalasta.

A former sheep and cattle property, Banalasta is now the world’s largest eucalyptus oil plantation, with visitors offered a rare opportunity to observe production processes first hand.

Eucalyptus oil is harvested from Banalasta’s narrow-leaf peppermint gum (eucalyptus radiata) plantation, sing a range of innovative harvesting techniques pioneered on the property, ensuring the finest quality oil.

The bush plantation is harvested and mulched and then the oil is distilled on the site, with visitors able to inspect the entire method from tree to finished product as part of a tour of the property.

In addition to the exceptional eucalyptus oil, produced in the property, Banalasta also produces top quality lavender oil made from their extensive lavender plantation.

And if you thought all lavender was the same, a self-guided tour through the lavender plantation will show you the many different varieties that are harvested to make Banalasta’s highly sought after oil.

Both the eucalyptus and lavender oil production are certified as organic, a claim few other producers can make.

Both oils are used extensively in Australia to make a wide variety of aromatherapy oils, hand creams, shampoo, conditioner, anti-flea treatment for pets and a host of other goods.

All products come with the seal of approval of Banalasta marketing director, Kim Hawksford, who says she has submitted all of them to extensive testing.

“We don’t test our products on animals, just on my children, and we have had no complaints yet,” Ms Hawksford said.

The ‘world forest’ is another leading attraction of the property – a bio-diverse tree plantation over five years in the making.

The forest helped to raise funds for Australian athletes participating in the Sydney 2000 Paralympics Games, with one tree planted especially to celebrate the feats of every gold medal winner.

Keen gardeners can buy fully grown trees from the world forest, with plaques also made on request.

Not only does the property produce unrivalled eucalyptus and lavender oil, but it is also home to the award winning Blickling Estates Vineyard, one of Australia’s highest altitude wineries.

The vineyard, established in 1998 by German migrant Rolf Blickling, has already been celebrated at wine shows across the country after just five years of wine production.

After initial trials, varieties such as shiraz, chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, riesling, sauvignon blanc were all found to take well to the cooler climates on the property.

The grapes are hand picked by Banalasta staff and locals from nearby Bendemeer and Armidale.

But growing good quality grapes at such high altitude was no easy task, with 200km of irrigation pipeline, two wind machines and an extensive network of frost protection sprinklers installed to ward off damage from the cold.

Founder of Blickling Estates, Rolf Blickling, said the secret to the full flavour of the wines was the unusual production methods.

“We leave the grapes on the vines for around six weeks longer than wineries in the Hunter Valley, which allows them to draw more of the nutrients from the vine,” Mr Blickling said.

“This gives wines a fruiter taste than many of those made in the Hunter, and other wine producing areas around the country.”

The vineyard produces a selection of quality red and white wines, with cellar door sales conducted from the visitors’ centre.

The visitor’s centre serves light meals and Devonshire teas, and also seels gourmet picnic hampers, including everything from a selection of the regions finest foods down to the picnic rug.

The air-conditioned comfort of the visitors centre is the perfect place to escape the summer heat, and peruse the extensive range of eucalyptus and lavender oil products and giftware.

The full selection of Blickling Estates wines is also available from the centre at cellar door prices.

Visitors can sample any of the award winning Blickling Estates wines at the centre, before relaxing over a bottle with friends and enjoying the picturesque surrounds.

And to keep the kids entertained, the property also boats an animal sanctuary, with miniature donkeys, camels and even llamas among the weird and wonderful creatures that visitors can see.

Feed is also available for sale from the visitor’s centre, so children can see these amazing creatures up close.

But for those still looking for even more entertainment, Banalasta are soon to launch a series of live music evenings.

Talented local musicians will kick-off the performances from Sunday, December 4.

Bus tours running from both Tamworth and Armidale are also among the new attractions, with tours expected to start in coming weeks, depending on demand. The property is located 57km from Tamworth on the Green Valley Rd, a well signposted turn off from the Armidale Rd, just 12km past the delightful village of Bendemeer.

The visitors centre is open from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week and will be open all holidays except Christmas day.