Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

When: 21 – 30 September 2018
Where: Toowoomba, Queensland

Perfect for families, the highlight of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers in Queensland is its lively opening parade, featuring floral floats that travel through the city accompanied by carnival entertainers such as street performers and stilt-walkers. Get there early for a bird’s-eye view of the parade. The Carnival is a 10-day event featuring a food and wine festival, live concert series, and activities galore for children in a flower-filled atmosphere. For a chance to relax amongst nature’s beauty, don’t miss Pictures in the Park. Happening over two nights, bring along blankets, mats and cushions to watch a family-friendly flick for free under the stars in beautiful Laurel Bank Park.

Fly directly to Toowoomba’s Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport. Or, hop on board coach services offered by Greyhound, Murrays or Bus Queensland from selected locations in Queensland, including Brisbane.

Kings Park Festival

When: 1 – 30 September 2018
Where: Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth, Western Australia

Fun fact: Western Australia is home to the largest collection of wildflowers in the world, 60 percent of which cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. Grab the opportunity to dive into the largest presentation of Western Australia’s wildflowers at Kings Park Festival, located in West Perth, not far from Perth’s central business district. Join free guided walking tours while taking in the picturesque scene, outdoor exhibitions and art installations. 

Floriade

When: 15 September – 14 October 2018
Where: Commonwealth Park, Canberra

Be dazzled by over a million blooms at the annual, month-long Floriade festival. Enjoy music, food and entertainment, and participate in photographic and horticultural workshops. Kids will have a fun time on the many amusement rides, including a ferris wheel that offers a breathtaking view of the floral display. Show off your creative side and paint a garden gnome for display — you can take it home with you when the festival is over. If you are a night owl, catch the NightFest that runs for six nights over two weekends, with a variety of activities including music, comedy shows and impressive installations. It’s only a short walk of between five to 20 minutes to Commonwealth Park from Canberra’s city centre, depending on where you start out. 

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

When: 15 September – 14 October 2018
Where: Silvan, Victoria

Tulips (almost a million of them) may be the star attraction here, but families will also enjoy the many themed and cultural showcases, vibrant market stalls, entertaining live performances and mouthwatering cuisine. For example, during the Turkish weekend, you’ll be able to sample traditional foods such as gözleme (a stuffed flatbread), adana kebab (ground lamb kebab) and baklava (a type of dessert pastry) followed by a cup of strong Turkish coffee. Prefer folklore and magic? Head down during the Irish weekend to party with music, dancing and leprechauns. Don’t miss out on the chance to see the biggest clog in the southern hemisphere during Dutch weekend — you might just get to bring a pair home!

Driving from Melbourne through the spectacular Dandenong Ranges to the Tesselaar Tulip Farm takes approximately 60 minutes. You can also get there via public transport.