Gardening

Upcoming flower and garden shows in Melbourne and Victoria

KaBloom Flower Festival

Jessica Taylor Yates

Posted March 29, 2022

While images of blooming blossoms usually make us think of the springtime, enjoy the beauty of the botanics at these autumn flower and garden shows in Victoria.

Whether you want to make it a day trip to marvel at the one-of-a-kind exotic blooms of the magical lotus flowers in the Yarra Valley, spot a circus performer in the marigold and sunflower fields of KaBloom, or you're ready to immerse yourself amongst the smell of botanic florals and freshly cut grass at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, there is a whimsical garden event on this autumn set to make you believe its springtime. 

Discover the flower and garden trends for 2022 and enjoy a fun activity outdoors with the whole family.

Best flower and garden shows and events in Victoria

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show, Melbourne

30th March – 3rd April, 2022

Arguably the biggest flora and fauna event in Victoria, the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) at the Royal Exhibition Building is back with glamour garden goodies in a ‘celebration of lifestyle and our great outdoors.’

Featuring gardening experts showcasing the latest and greatest garden displays and floral designers, art and retail products, landscape show gardens, sculpture, competitors, school, and family workshops and more, get lost amongst all nature has to offer.

Notes: Ticketed event. Food and drink on site. Dogs not permitted.

Blue Lotus Watergardens, Yarra Junction

26th December – 18th April, 2022

Situated in Victoria’s picturesque Yarra Valley just 25 minutes from the RACV Healesville Resort, kids and adults will be enchanted by the Blue Lotus Water Garden. With literally thousands of flowers set over 50,000 square metres, the exotic lotus flowers bloom exclusively over the summer and autumn period.

Upon entering, visitors will feel they have been transported to another place and time. 'Tranquility' is the aim, says Owner Geoff Cochrane, whose family have owned the property for over 50 years.

From walking through the world's largest water lily species in the Giants of the Amazon and Lotus Wetlands exhibits to the exotic Monet's Lake & Bridge Walk, it's truly a feast for the eyes that is enjoyed by families, artists, those celebrating an event or anyone wanted to feel connected to Mother Nature. 

On first glance, it can be easy to confused the lotus and water lily. "With native tropical water lilies, the flower comes above the water, but with the lotus, the entire plant comes out of the water, leaves and all - they can be above your head," advises Cochrane. 

Popular with both domestic and international visitors (on account of the the lotus being an iconic symbol in many Asian and Buddhist cultures), Cochrane's pride and joy appeared to be the Australian Natives glasshouse, growing a rare and exotic combination of Australian native tropical waterlilies from blue to splashes of pink, red and yellow. "This is very rare," says Cochrane, "In fact I don't think there'd be any exhibition like it in Australia!" 

Cochrane mentions that kids "just love running around" the gardens. Families will especially enjoy the interactive experiences for children including the enchanted fairy garden, scavenger hunt, the Dragons Trail walk, giant lily pads, and of course, a scenic delight of autumn blooms to enjoy during a picnic or bought lunch.

So if you've already been? Cochrane says the team spends the down season adding new features, with this year boasting "a new kids castle, boardwalk down the main lake, and a zig-zag walk amongst the lotus flowers." 

"If you come one year and you come the next, you're always seeing new things!" he adds excitedly. 

And as for the elusive blue lotus from which the gardens got its namesake? While the water lily originated from the exotic wilds of the Nile River in Egypt, Cochrane says that "visitors come from far and wide" for the plant that has been rumoured to be used for anything from relaxation to tea, cooking or essential oil making. 

Notes: Ticketed event. Nursery on site. Food, drink and picnic packs available. Dogs not permitted. 

 

The magnificent Blue Lotus Water Garden is a sight to behold. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
Summer and autumn are the best times to see the lotus in full bloom. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
There's plenty to explore at the Blue Lotus Water Garden. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
Visitors can enjoy Lotus Root Chips, a crispy savoury hot chip made with the root of the Lotus Flower. Image: Jessica Taylor Yates.
Marvel at flowers taller than you at the enchanting Blue Lotus Water Garden. Image: Jessica Taylor Yates.
In many cultures, the blue lotus, growing from muddy waters into full bloom, is a symbol of strength, prosperity and victory. Image: Jessica Taylor Yates.

Tesselaar KaBloom, Silvan

2nd -25th April 2022

Famous for its spectacular Tulip Festival in the spring, during autumn, Tesselaar KaBloom provides a visual splendour with fields adorned with millions of annual flowers - literally! From a photographer's delight of sunflowers to marigolds, petunias, celosia and more, Tesselaar KaBloom promises to deliver ‘a kaleidoscope of colour…to delight your senses.’ This year, the autumn event will be 'Circus Spectacular' in a partnership with SWAY Productions, themed to captivate adults and children alike. 

Third-generation owner Paul Tesselar knows a thing or two about flowers. Growing up with Dutch heritage running amongst the tulip fields, KaBloom is his proud "contribution" to the family legacy, starting with his grandparents' humble tulip bulb store when the first Tesselaars came to the area before WWII. The property has now blossomed into fields of flowers in Silvan, from zig-zagged marigolds to sunflowers as big as your head.

After having to cancel weeks before the pandemic began in 2020, the third official KaBloom festival is ready for a radiant renaissance, which Tesselaar excitedly adds has so much colour, "it will make your eyes pop out of your head!"

Another one for families, the KaBloom flower garden also offers plenty of activities for the kids amongst the stunning floral spectacular, from a Flower Circus of fairies and pixies, giant garden games, a psychedelic 'zig-zag' field of autumnal annuals and a new Meadow Maze, an Easter egg hunt, a tractor train departing from Flower Station, and storytelling in the flower garden, to name a few.

An estimated 45 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, Tesselaar adds that it's a "wonderful day out to escape the hustle and bustle of city life." 

Notes: Children under 16 free. Nursery and souvenir shop on-site, as well as food and drink, although you may BYO. Dogs permitted on lead.

 

The magnificent flower fields at KaBloom. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
Get up close and personal at the festival of flowers. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
The flowers spread across five acres in the Dandenong Ranges. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
The dazzling scenery of KaBloom peaks during April. Image: Lisa Luscombe.
A new 'chessboard' of flowers adds to the 300 thousand bulbs planted on site at KaBloom. Image: Jessica Taylor Yates.
Walk amongst sunflowers as big as your head at KaBloom. Image: Jessica Taylor Yates.

Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair & Garden Expo, Wandin 

23 - 24 Apr 2022

One to add to your Healesville trip, the Yarra Valley Autumn Plant Fair & Garden Expo is for those who love the watch the fall foliage turn, with over five thousand native plant varieties such as orchids, natives and roses on site.

The event hosts speakers and special guests sharing information and tips on landscaping and garden design, rare plant sales and auctions, plant stalls, and plenty of autumnal florae to take home.

Notes: Ticketed event. Food and drink are available. Dogs permitted on lead. 

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne and Cranbourne

Year-round

While the Royal Botanic Gardens are open year-round, there are plenty of autumnal events happening across the parks in both Melbourne and Cranbourne.

At Cranbourne Gardens, visitors can venture on the Great Southern Land Walk through the Australian Garden and learn about unique Australian flora and fauna.

In the inner-city, children can indulge their inner explorer with Seek and Find Nature cards or a trip aboard The Explorer, an open-air minibus that avid greenies can hop on and enjoy commentary about their natural surrounds.

From February until June, the gardens will be home to Sonica Botanic: Stories & Sounds from the Gardens, featuring ‘intertwining stories, atmospheric music and mesmerising sounds of the natural environment’ across three garden spaces.

Notes: No dogs permitted at Cranbourne, allowed on leash at Melbourne. Some events may be ticketed.  

 

Heading to see the flowers in full bloom? 
Make a trip out of it with a stay at the RACV Healesville Resort →