Located in Olinda, the arrival of spring is marked by the cherry blossoms and the vibrant colors of rhododendrons, azaleas, daffodils, and varieties of cherry blossoms. It's an ideal spot for a tranquil picnic amidst the flowers. Set on a hilltop, there are 43 hectares of gardens featuring thousands of brilliantly coloured blooms including a staggering 15-000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, about 3,000 camellias, cherries, and over 250,000 daffodils. Visitors can enjoy the stunning flowers and the scenic backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges. 

The garden houses Australia’s largest collection of Australian and overseas-raised hybrids of rhododendrons that cannot be replaced, re-bred, or re-imported.

Located within the gardens is Chelsea Australian Garden - a spectacular native garden that includes a billabong, waterfall, thousands of plants, and an enormous waratah sculpture. Over 15,000 plants have been used in the design, with over 400 different Australian species.

Opening hours: Every day at 10am-4.30pm (last entry)

Entry Fees: FREE

Also in the Dandenong Ranges, Cloudehill is an oasis of structured garden rooms and stone walls, spread over 5 acres and offering a peaceful retreat. This spectacular garden has been sharing its beauty for over 130 years pioneered originally by George Woolrich and his family back in the 1890s. 

In spring, bluebells succeed the grape hyacinths in the meadows, their swathes of mid-blue mingling with clusters of daffodils. Maples burst forth in a spectacle of vibrant colors, and the early hybrid rhododendrons make their presence known with a fanfare of flowers. Japanese tree peonies display their lavish blossoms as lilacs bloom along the shrub walk. The beech trees don soft coppery pink leaves, through which the spring sunlight filters down to the carpet of bluebells beneath.

Opening hours: 10:00AM to 5:00PM from September to May

Entry Fees: Adults $15 | under 16 years old - FREE

Located 6 kilometers north of Hepburn Springs, this working lavender farm offers an authentic European experience. There is an 1860s Swiss-Italian farmhouse, a cafe, a shop, lavender fields, olive and chestnut groves, a vineyard, and beautiful gardens to relax in or explore.

The Lavandula Farm is also pet-friendly, so bring along your furry friend for a walk. Just don't forget to bring their leash.

Location: 350 Hepburn-Newstead Rd, Shepherds Flat VIC 3461

Opening Hours: Open on 20th September 2024

Entry Fees: $5 per Adult & $1 per school-aged child.

The Morwell Centenary Rose Garden is one of the world's premier rose gardens, proudly showcasing over 3500 roses within a one-hectare scenic park-like setting at the edge of the CBD. Climbing roses create walls of color and perfume, while below garden paths wend their way through perfumed beds of Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, and Austin roses. The garden is lovingly maintained by the Latrobe City Council and many willing and rose-loving volunteers. This year’s rose garden festival will be held on 8th November 2024.

Location: 2 Avondale Rd, Morwell VIC 3840

There is only one place you where can walk right into the canola fields and immerse yourself in the glorious bright yellow flowers.  For the first time, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sea of yellow at the ‘Cornella Canola Walk’. In conjunction with the Shiraz Republic and Cornella Brewery, established a viewing platform and walking track through the flowering yellow crop.

Most farmers, understandably, do not want tourists entering their canola fields and unknowingly destroying the crop and potentially spreading disease but the Shiraz Republic has created a track and viewing platform in their 100-acre fields of canola so that tourists can wander through the canola field and take a perfect selfies!

Walk the canola fields. Immerse yourself in the sea of yellow color. Park safely at the Shiraz Republic cellar door. Walk the Canola Trail. Experience the 360-degree wonder. Bring your best camera or fly a drone across the field to get a bird's eye view.

Enjoy a drink and something to eat at our picturesque cellar door or visit nearby Colbinabbin to view the spectacular Silo Art. You can also stay in one of their cabins and take advantage of early morning or evening photography.

Location: 507 Hamblin Rd, Cornella VIC 3551

Opening Hour: Fridays to Mondays 11:00AM – 5:00PM from today until 4th October 2024.

Entry Fees: 

Adult $10.00 

Children $5.00 

Kids under 5 years old – FREE

Family Pass - $30

            * In the Nagambie area check out the fields along O'Dwyers Road, Vickers Road, and Nook Road.

            * Dookie area including near Tallis Wine

            * Along the Goulburn Valley Highway to Shepparton

            * Shepparton area

            * North of Benalla

            * Around Elmore

            * Between Cobram and Yarrawonga along the Murray River

            * Along the Western Highway all the way to the Grampians

            * Ballarat area (typically west of town)

            * Lexton area

            * Werona (north-west of Daylesford)

            * At the back of Melbourne Airport and other places on the road to Sunbury

            * Along the Princes Highway from Melbourne to Geelong

            * Around Little River, Avalon, and Balliang

            * Around Point Wilson (Coming from Melbourne take the Pt Wilson exit and go left)

            * Around the Bellarine Peninsula (Curlewis - Coryule Road, Ocean Grove - Grubb Road, Portarlington - Portarlington Road, Drysdale - Anderson Road and Banks Road, Leopold - Portarlington Road)

            * Geelong side of the You Yangs

            * Along Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road

            * Around Ceres, Barrabool, Anakie, Steiglitz, Maude and Meredith

            * Rokewood area

Important Note: The canola crops are the livelihood of the farmer and please respect private property and do not trespass into the fields due to biosecurity risks and potential damage to the crops. No shot or amount of attention on social media is worth trampling over some innocent farmer's livelihood.

The crops are generally alongside the road, so you can take great photos without entering the field.

This festival in Silvan celebrates the beauty of tulips with a vibrant display of flowers and various events for all ages.

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival is a vibrant celebration of spring, set against the backdrop of the breathtaking Dandenong Ranges in Victoria. This annual event, running from September 14th to October 13th, 2024, invites visitors to wander through fields adorned with over a million tulips in an array of colors and varieties.

Location: 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan, Victoria 3795

When: 14th September to 13th October 2024

Entry Fees: Adult –  $35.00 | Concession - $31.00 | Kids 16 and under – FREE

Book your tickets here. 

Located in the heart of Victoria's renowned Yarra Valley, Alowyn Gardens offers a serene escape into nature's embrace. Spanning seven (7) acres, this display garden is a testament to the beauty and diversity of plant life, meticulously arranged into seven distinct sections, each with its own unique allure.

One of the garden's most enchanting features is the 100-meter-long wisteria arbor, a living tunnel of purple blossoms that captivates the senses and provides a picturesque backdrop for a leisurely stroll. This leads to the French-inspired water rill, a peaceful water feature that anchors the garden's design.

Alowyn Gardens is not only a feast for the eyes but also a hub for horticultural inspiration. The extensive plant nursery offers a selection of interesting and unusual plants for visitors to take home, encouraging the creation of personal oases.

Entry Fees: 

Adult $15.00

Concession: $12.50

Children 12 and under: FREE

Nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Macedon in Victoria, Australia, Forest Glade Gardens is a testament to the beauty and tranquility that can be achieved through dedicated horticulture. Spanning fourteen acres, this historic private garden is acknowledged as one of the most beautiful in Australia, boasting a rich history that is almost a century old.

The garden is a harmonious blend of various landscaping styles, drawing inspiration from English, Italian, and woodland traditions. Visitors can explore the large English section with its towering exotic trees, or find serenity in the delightful Japanese section, complete with a bonsai house. The woodland area showcases an array of shade-loving plants, while the cool fern gully offers a refreshing retreat.

Each season brings its own unique charm to Forest Glade Gardens. In autumn, the maples set the garden ablaze with vibrant colors, and in spring, the rhododendrons, azaleas, and peonies burst into a spectacular display. Summer and winter each offer their special treats, making the garden a year-round destination for garden lovers.

The Garden at Broughton Hall is a horticultural masterpiece that has been captivating visitors for over two decades. This enchanting garden spans approximately 5 acres, offering a serene escape into nature's beauty.

The garden's inception dates back to 1996 when it was designed and constructed with a vision to harmonize with the natural landscape. It boasts a rich tapestry of plants, with the variety, density, and originality of the planting scheme evolving into a significant feature of the garden. The design remains robust and impressive, with the original and varied planting and the breathtaking setting ensuring that visitors' attention is firmly on the beauty within the garden, rather than just the spectacular view over the Tarago Reservoir.

The Garden at Broughton Hall is not just a feast for the eyes; it's a story of transformation and human connection. It reflects the integrity and passion with which it was created, aiming to leave visitors with a lighter heart and a calmer mind. The garden is stunning in early spring, with bulbs popping up and cherry blossoms in October. However, it reaches its peak around Melbourne Cup weekend when the roses are in full bloom, lasting through to December. Even in winter, the garden exudes beauty with mist over the water, bare branches, and exposed hedging.

Location: 125 Palmer Road, Jindivick, Victoria 3818

Opening hours: 28th September – 12 December 2024

Thursday to Sunday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM

Entry Fee: General Admission: $20

                    20th – 29th September 2024 (Blossom by Light) – Gates open at 5:30PM

            * Argyle Square, Carlton VIC

            * Lanidale Cherry Orchard 

            * Blue Hills Berries & Cherries 

            * Banksia Park Cherry Grove 

            * Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden

            * Flagstaff Garden

            * Pink Lakes, Murray Sunset National Park 

            * Gorge Scenic Drive, Beechworth Historic Park

            * Lerderderg State Park 

            * Wildflower Drive, Greater Bendigo National Park 

            * Anglesea Heath, Great Otway National Park 

            * Fabians Block, Terrick Terrick National Park 

            * Falls Creek area, Alpine National Park 

Launched in 2015, Open Gardens Victoria is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization that assists garden owners in opening their private gardens to the public and also organizes gardening and horticultural-themed events. All activities are funded by ticket sales, and each year a portion of our surplus is applied to grants under a Giving Program for horticultural projects in the fields of education, wellness, innovation, community, and sustainability. 

Check on its official website for the latest information on open gardens available every weekend this spring and summer season. Entry fees vary and proceeds go to their chosen charity. 

Whether you're a local or a visitor, the flower fields and gardens of Victoria offer a breathtaking experience for everyone. With a variety of events and natural displays, spring 2024 is the perfect time to connect with nature and enjoy the floral splendor of these regions. 

Remember to check the latest travel advice and opening times before planning your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. 

Happy flower viewing!