Cities in Bloom: A Guide to Australia's Flower Festivals

Celebrate the magic of springtime with our guide to Australia’s best flower festivals.

Springtime in Australia sees the country shaking off its winter chill, enjoying warmer days and sunnier skies. But the best part? The riot of colour that erupts as flower buds blossom – think pink roses, rich purple wisteria, golden daffodils and so much more. Across the states, community and city gardens put on an incredible show in celebration of spring. Read on for our guide to Australia’s flower festivals.

Floriade, ACT

One of Australia’s longest-running flower festivals, Floriade bursts into bloom at the start of spring in Canberra. Over one million blooms carpet the city’s Commonwealth Park: tulips in magenta, gold, mauve and cobalt ripple across the grounds in a sea of colour. In recent years, a shift in public engagement has seen a growing number of community groups planting tulips throughout Canberra’s suburbs to form a stunning tulip trail. Bring a picnic, the kids and your furry friends – there’s something for everyone during Floriade.

Tesselaar Tulip Festival & Bright Spring Festival, Victoria

Want a taste of the Netherlands without having to leave Australia? The Dandenong Ranges’ Tesselaar Tulip Festival lets you live out your Dutch dreams. The grounds are decked out in one million tulip bulbs, there’s Australia’s largest clog, traditional Dutch food and market stalls, and even tulip tractor rides. Meanwhile, four hours inland, you’ll find the charming town of Bright hosting its annual Bright Spring Festival. Locals and visitors flock here to enjoy the community gardens flourishing with pansies, camellias, witch hazel and azaleas, as well as 100-year-old elm trees and intriguing garden sculptures. There’s even a flea market, café and a waterpark for the little ones.

Kings Park Festival, Western Australia 

The Western Australia horticultural scene has an undeniable passion for its native wildflowers – and you’ll witness more than 3,000 species endemic to the state at Kings Park Festival, Perth. During the first month of spring, the park comes alive with colour and offers some of most Instagram-worthy photo ops: picture a sea of colourful blooms and hundred-year-old trees illuminated by technicoloured lights. You’ll also find art and exhibits, horticultural walk-and-talks, and wellness classes among the wildflowers.

Looking for more Perth inspiration? Check out 6 Unmissable Day Trips from Perth

Riverland Rose and Garden Festival, South Australia

Discover the immaculate rose gardens at Riverland Rose and Garden Festival, approximately a two-hour drive from the Barossa Valley. Running for 10 days during the peak rose bloom season in Australia, the festival has consistently hosted an impressive program featuring everything from open gardens to dog kennel shows and art exhibitions. Not to mention the fun festival fair, where you’ll find over 40 stalls showcasing fresh produce, plants, handicrafts, gifts and more. And when you’re feeling peckish, there are plenty of delicious dining options available – including impressive multi-course dinners.
Make it an overnight trip, check out this Barossa Valley escape.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Queensland

Head 1.5 hours west of Brisbane to Toowoomba to witness Queens Park flourish. There’s a true community atmosphere, especially when the Grand Central Floral Parade is in full swing. Follow the parade as it moves through the streets towards Queens Park, where street performers, carnival characters and floral floats carve a blazing trail towards the garden show. Here, you’ll witness horticultural competitions headed by passionate gardeners, a mouth-watering Festival of Food & Wine (for three days only) and, when the sun has set, a beautiful night garden that lights up the park. See it all from the perfect vantage point: the top of the Ferris wheel.

Bathurst Spring Spectacular, New South Wales

Follow the heady scent of lilac and the jangle of live music to Bathurst Spring Spectacular, a celebration of rural and suburban gardens headed by Bathurst Gardeners’ Club. Every spring, the plant and garden expo takes over Lions Berry Park, located approximately an hour’s drive from New South Wales’ Blue Mountains. A gold coin donation will give you access to the eccentric garden displays, market stalls and local music performances, and allow you to wander through magnificent gardens featuring irises, lilacs, roses, rhododendrons, azaleas and much more.

For up-to-date information regarding festival dates, please check event websites.