Wander through Victoria’s blossoming landscapes this spring, where the region’s flora takes centre stage. With flower shows, festivals, and historic gardens in full bloom, there’s no better time to explore the state’s vibrant natural beauty.
Explore Victoria’s Iconic Gardens
Victoria is home to a diverse range of gardens, each offering a unique floral experience. In the Dandenong Ranges, spring brings a celebration of cherry blossoms at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda. This garden, known for its rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, and daffodils, is perfect for a picturesque picnic. Nearby, the Cloudehill Gardens offer a serene escape with stone walls, hedges, and garden rooms, while the Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Sherbrooke invites visitors to stroll along its winding paths.
The Goldfields region is another must-visit for flower enthusiasts. The Ballarat and Castlemaine Botanical Gardens showcase stunning floral displays, while Rosalind Park in Bendigo offers acres of open space and historic charm.
For those venturing to the Mornington Peninsula, Heronswood House and Garden in Dromana provides breathtaking views, and the Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens in Shoreham is a sensory delight with its fragrant blooms and intricate maze.
In Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, the Garden of St Erth dazzles with its carpet of daffodils each September, while the Lavandula Swiss-Italian Farm offers visitors the chance to wander through vibrant lavender fields.
Experience Victoria’s Spring Flower Events
Victoria’s spring calendar is packed with events that celebrate the season’s natural beauty. Here are some key dates to add to your itinerary:
- Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival | 5 September to 15 September 2024
- Tesselaar Tulip Festival | 14 September to 13 October 2024
- Bendigo Annual Tulips Display | Mid-September to Mid-October
- CherryHill Blossom Festival | 14 September to 6 October 2024
- Pomonal Native Flower Show | 21 September to 22 September 2024
- International Rose Garden Festival | 8 November to 9 November 2024
- State Rose and Garden Show | 9 to 10 November 2024
Don’t miss the regional orchid shows taking place across Victoria throughout the spring. These events are perfect opportunities to explore the rich diversity of local flora.
Wildflowers and Native Blooms
Mother Nature introduces spring with a brilliant display of wildflowers across Victoria, painting the landscape in vibrant hues. As the days grow longer and the sunlight becomes warmer, it’s the perfect time to step outside, soak up the natural beauty, and enjoy the health benefits of being surrounded by nature. Unpack your camera and head to these top spots across Victoria to experience wildflowers in their peak bloom.
Pink Lakes | Murray-Sunset National Park
Located in Victoria’s Mallee region, just a two-hour drive south of Mildura, the Pink Lakes in Murray-Sunset National Park offer a breathtaking display of wildflowers. The sweeping plains are covered in vibrant pink pigface, complemented by the whites and yellows of various daisies and wattles, all set against the striking backdrop of salt-encrusted lakes.
Blooming season: Early September to mid-October
Gorge Scenic Drive | Beechworth Historic Park
On the outskirts of Beechworth in north-east Victoria, the Gorge Scenic Drive offers a stunning array of purple, yellow, and white wildflowers. Take a slow drive or enjoy a walk along the scenic paths as the bushland transforms with springtime colour. For those with more time, a visit to the summit of Mt Pilot, just 15 minutes away, offers sweeping views and more wildflower displays.
Blooming season: September to early October
Lerderderg Campground Area | Lerderderg State Park
Just over an hour north-west of Melbourne, Lerderderg State Park surprises visitors with its colourful display of wildflowers. The area around the new Lerderderg campground, particularly Upper Chadwick, is adorned with wattles, peas, heath, and orchids, creating a sea of orange and white flowers.
Blooming season: Late September to October
Wildflower Drive | Greater Bendigo National Park
The forests surrounding Bendigo come alive with wildflowers from August onwards. The Wildflower Drive, just south-east of Bendigo, is a must-visit, featuring bright yellow wattle beneath the box and ironbark trees. For a more central location, the Solomon Gully Nature Conservation Area in Bendigo also offers a delightful display.
Blooming season: Mid-September to October
Anglesea Heath | Great Otway National Park
Under two hours from Melbourne, Anglesea Heath in the Great Otway National Park is home to about one-quarter of Victoria’s plant species. This is a prime spot for orchid lovers, with blooms spread throughout the Heath. Be sure to explore Bambra-Aireys Inlet Road and Bald Hills Road for the best floral displays.
Blooming season: Mid to late spring onwards
Fabians Block | Terrick Terrick National Park
In northern Victoria, about 45 minutes west of Echuca, the Fabians Block in Terrick Terrick National Park offers a colourful display of daisies, peas, and lilies across its grasslands. This area is a hidden gem, accessible only by foot, ensuring an undisturbed natural experience.
Blooming season: September
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden | Olinda
Just a short drive from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda showcases an extensive array of spring flowers. Walk through the gardens or take a ride on the garden explorer to enjoy the blooms at their best. Nearby, the George Tindale Memorial Garden, Pirianda Garden, and Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden offer equally stunning floral displays.
Blooming season: Throughout spring, with daffodils, hellebores, and camellias blooming in September, followed by rhododendrons and azaleas later in the season.
Werribee Park | Werribee
For those who appreciate large-scale formal gardens, Werribee Park is a must-visit. The Victorian State Rose Garden and the grounds surrounding Werribee Mansion are home to an incredible variety of roses and other flowers. The parterre plantings near the Mansion are particularly delightful.
Blooming season: Roses bloom from September to March, peaking in November, while other flowers around the Mansion bloom from mid-September onwards.
Falls Creek Area | Alpine National Park
If you miss the spring blooms, don’t worry—many areas in Victoria continue to flower through summer, especially in the alpine regions. The Falls Creek area in Alpine National Park offers a summer display of wildflowers across the Bogong High Plains, with delicate daisies, everlastings, peas, and flowering shrubs creating colourful panoramas.
Blooming season: December to January.