You bloomin’ beauty!
A sea of colour blanketing the landscape is a fantastic way to welcome spring, and fortunately it's a sight celebrated across the country.
Various destinations around Australia embrace the floral theme by hosting fabulous flower festivals each spring. These action-packed events are bursting with activities.
So head down the garden path and get along to one of these floral favourites…
Please note: Due to COVID-19, these events are pending in 2020 at time of print. Check official festival websites for the latest info.
With the title of the ‘Garden City’, it’s fitting that Toowoomba has an annual flower festival. Fast approaching its 70th birthday, the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is a massive celebration of all things flora. And that's just the start. For 10 days, the city is buzzing as various venues host food and wine events, musical entertainment, fashion, train rides, and other fun finds that you wouldn't necessarily expect of a flower festival. Garden tours provide dedicated green thumbs the opportunity to witness a bunch of floral displays with ease.
Book now: BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park.
The beautiful town of Bright is used to living up to its name year-round but in spring it truly blossoms. And the Bright Spring Festival celebrates this kaleidoscope of colour through a wide assortment of excellent events. There are fireworks, fetes, fairs, and foodie events; markets and art exhibitions, and, of course, plenty of gardens to admire. Better still, you can speak directly with gardening experts. Held for more than 25 years, the festival is not to be missed.
Book now: BIG4 Bright Holiday Park or BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park.
Come early September, the small Dandenong Ranges town of Silvan has a spring in its step as the fields come alive with colourful tulips. And not just a few of them but a staggering 500,000-plus tulips. Founded in 1954, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival also features market stalls and a wide offering of diverse food inspired by tastes across the globe. It’s backed by live entertainment, tractor rides, and various themed days that add to the festival’s rich appeal.
Book now: BIG4 Yarra Valley Park Lane Holiday Park in Healesville or at a BIG4 park in Melbourne.
Roses are red, and all sorts of other colours. And as the Rose Capital of Australia, Renmark certainly demonstrates the diversity of this popular plant. October is the premium time to celebrate this floral favourite, as the beautiful Murray River town is ablaze with colour. The Renmark Rose Festival features a jam-packed assortment of events spread across a host of venues and has plenty of open gardens that visitors can wander around.
Note: the neighbouring towns of Loxton and Waikerie join the party with several open gardens that ensure this event is at its rosiest.
Book now: BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park or BIG4 Loxton Riverfront Caravan Park.
You’d be hard pressed to find a better setting for a floral fest. With its sweeping views over the CBD, a visit to Kings Park is one of Perth’s best attractions at any stage. In September, it’s even more inviting as the Kings Park Festival showcases a remarkable display of wildflowers at a time when they are at their bloomin’ best. Free guided wildflower walks are fantastic for floral fanatics, and live music and family fun days ensure the festival, which dates more than half a century, has even more appeal.
Book now: BIG4 Perth Midland Tourist Park.
Move over petrol-heads – green thumbs take centre stage in Bathurst in late October. The Bathurst Spring Spectacular cloaks this vibrant NSW city in colour, showcasing a cluster of glorious gardens at their brightest and best. These immaculate gardens provide plenty of fine photo opportunities, and proceeds from this event go to local charities.
Book now: NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park.
Looking for other spring flower festivals around Australia? Try Floriade in Canberra (dates TBC) or Tulip Time in the New South Wales city of Bowral (22 September-5 October 2020).
Isn't it time you had a blooming brilliant break? Book your next BIG4 getaway now.