Source: Gold Coast Sun (Southern Edition)

A decade after being established, what’s believed to be the world’s largest organic eucalypt plantation struggles to keep up with demand for eucalyptus oil.

The Banalasta Plantation at Bendemeer, midway between Armidale and Tamworth in NSW, mixes business and tourism – eucalyptus and lavender – based product, boutique wines and a visitor centre and café.

Kim Hawksford, from Banalasta, said the demand for premium eucalyptus oil was so great the business could only just keep up the supply.

“With our export market, it’s a matter of first in, best dressed,” said Kim.

Banalasta produces three tonnes – 3000 litres – of eucalyptus oil a year, most of which is exported to the US, Hong Kong and Europe.

The remainder goes into its eucalyptus products, which are sold via its website, direct from the Banalasta Visitor Centre at the plantation or at selected outlets.

The species grown at Banalasta, eucalyptus radiata australiana – the narrow peppermint-leafed eucalyptus – produces a premium, medicinally classified oil.

It is particularly suitable for cosmetics and medicinal purposes, as apposed to the lower-quality oils used in household cleaners and the like.

The visitor centre stocks a range of eucalyptus and lavender-based products.

Banalasta’s café attracts as many tourists as locals, who often use it as a meeting ground because of its ideal location between the two towns.

Banalasta Plantation is off the New England Highway, 55km northeast of Tamworth heading towards Armidale. It is open daily between 9am and 5pm.

Every 1st Sunday of the month, the Visitor Centre hosts FREE live music……..

John Mitchell grew up listening to much of the folk and pop classics of the 1960′s-70′s.

In his opinion, that era of music is by far the best era for great songs this century. John began playing guitar at the age of eight, however it wasn’t until 2002 that he began playing to the public.

He was encouraged to play and sing by local musicians Marius Reynolds and Mark Patterson. John is currently performing in solo and duo shows.

We look forward to seeing you enjoy yourselves at the Visitor Centre.