12 stunning spring festivals around Australia

Step outside and smell the roses at these bloomin’ great spring festivals around Australia.

It’s officially time to shed those winter layers – spring has sprung! And what better way to celebrate than donning your favourite sun hat and getting amongst the flowers?

From floral fiestas to sun-soaked celebrations, these are the spring festivals around Australia to put in your calendar now.

1. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

Toowoomba, Qld: 13 September – 7 October

Toowoomba in Queensland is known for two things: as the home of the Lamington, and as the host of the Carnival of Flowers. Held every year in spring, the event blossoms to life with more than 40 million petals on display.

Bringing together the region’s best food, wine, flora and entertainment in the city’s public parks and spaces, it showcases all that Toowoomba and its surrounds have to offer. Along with beautiful blooms, the three-day Festival of Food and Wine will see Thirsty Merc, Kate Ceberano, Pete Murray and more take to the stage.

2. Tesselaar Tulip Festival

Silvan, Vic: 14 September – 13 October

The town of Silvan in Victoria’s Yarra Ranges loves its tulips so much, it’s dedicated a whole month to the flower. Between mid-September and mid-October, over a million spring bulbs will flower in the name of the Tesselaar Tulip Festival – and you’re invited!

Bask in the warm, spring sunshine with a picnic, listen to live jazz, snap colourful photos for your Insta feed and so much more! There are even themed weekends, including Dutch, Irish and Turkish weekends.

3. Riverland Rose & Garden Festival

Renmark, SA: 18 – 27 October

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Riverland Rose and Garden Festival sees this stunning South Australian region shine in a kaleidoscope of colour. Held over 10 days, the festival includes open gardens, markets, floral displays, a four-course gala dinner and the Waikerie Flower Show.

This year, horticultural superstar Sophie Thomson will also make an appearance. The recurring presenter of ABC’s Gardening Australia will be sharing her knowledge at both the gala dinner and market fair. Green thumbs would be silly to miss it!

4. Sculpture by the Sea

Bondi, NSW: 18 October – 4 November

There may not be a festival of flowers, but the iconic Sculpture by the Sea in Sydney’s beachside suburb of Bondi is definitely worth a visit. It’s the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sunshine before it becomes too hot.

Instead of admiring floral displays, you’ll be wowed by over 100 sculptures created by artists from around the world. Not only will you witness the world’s largest free-to-the-public sculpture exhibition, you’ll get to walk the Bondi to Tamarama walk, one of Sydney’s best coastal hikes.

5. Tulip Festival

Wynyard, Tas: 12 October

The small town of Wynyard goes big in October for the annual Tulip Festival, which falls in line with the blossoming of the region’s coveted flower. Guests will be treated to a variety of floral-themed events, including rides, music, live entertainment and foodie markets. Hannah Moloney, another Gardening Australia guru, will also be there to chat everything eco.

Held at Gutteridge Gardens on the Inglis River, the event promises a big display of beauty, so be sure to bring your camera! If you have a bit of extra time, be sure to pop in at Table Cape Tulip Farm, a quick 10-minute drive away, to wander the rows of immaculate blooms.

6. EverNow

Perth, WA: 3 – 7 October

Held during Kambarang, the Noongar season of birth and renewal, EverNow is a truly wonderful way to welcome the warmer weather. Grounded in Noongar knowledge, the event is all about reconnecting with Country and rediscovering nature.

The festival is made up of three main events: From the Light Flow: Bena Koorliny; Song Circle; and Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak. Each one celebrates one of the longest living cultures on Earth through storytelling, dance, music and performance and is one of the city’s best events held during October.

7. Bathurst Spring Spectacular

Bathurst, NSW: 26 – 27 October

The Bathurst Gardener’s Club will host the amazing annual Bathurst Spring Spectacular this October. Awarded Bathurst Regional Council’s Community Event of the Year for 2023, the festival is sure to delight.

As well as live music and market stalls, attendees will be able to wander the gardens of generous locals who have opened their homes to the public. From intimate cottage-style gardens to acreage dotted with sculptures, there’s something for all kinds of green thumbs.

8. Floriade

Canberra, ACT: 14 September – 13 October

The biggest celebration of spring around Australia, any mention of flower festivals would be incomplete without Floriade. Held for a full month in Canberra, this epic event has been blooming every spring since 1988.

Floriade is the perfect day out for the whole family. Visitors can look forward to live entertainment, music, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market stalls, art displays and more. This year’s theme is ‘Art in Bloom’, so get ready for some true floral masterpieces.

9. Desert Mob

Alice Springs, NT: 5 September – 20 October

It’s not about flowers at Desert Mob. It’s about something way cooler. Head out to Alice Springs/Mparntwe this spring to witness the convergence of more than 30 Art Centres from across the NT, South Australia and WA.

The result is an unforgettable trio of events – a symposium, exhibition and marketplace (as well as a variety of public and satellite events) – that celebrates hundreds of Indigenous artists. Guests can participate in an incredible program that includes workshops, studio tours, live performances and more.

10. Nubeena Bee Festival

Nubeena, Tas: 4 – 5 October

Spring wouldn’t exist without one adorable little insect – and that insect is celebrated at the aptly named Nubeena Bee Festival in Tasmania. The buzzy program, held over just two days in October, is a wonderful glimpse into the intricate world of bees.

Guests can wander market stalls, dance the night away at the Bee Ball, interact with exhibits and gain knowledge about sustainable beekeeping from expert beekeepers. It’s a wonderful way to learn how we can protect our pretty little pollinators for generations to come.

11. Grafton Jacaranda Festival

Grafton, NSW: 25 October – 3 November

At its core, spring means flowers. And nowhere knows this better than Grafton in NSW’s Clarence Valley. Each year, the town is painted purple thanks to countless blossoming jacaranda trees, and the Jacaranda Festival is dedicated to honouring the beautiful blooms.

Experience Grafton like never before, as purple petals rain down across town. And this year, there’s plenty to see and do – from Carnival Capers and the Whiddon Jacaranda Afternoon Tea to purple ice cream and a jacaranda-themed float procession – there’s something for the whole family.

12. SpringOUT

Canberra, ACT: 1 – 30 November

SpringOUT is a month-long celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community that calls the country’s capital home. The only festival of its kind in Canberra, SpringOUT rivals any pride event across the country, with thousands of people turning up to celebrate.

And there’s so much to look forward to this spring. Guests can look forward to a throwback with the Heaven Nightclub Reunion. Or while their time away at the epic Fair Day.  Whatever you choose, it’s time to celebrate!

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