The Insider Guide To Floriade In Canberra

It’s the most vibrant time of year to visit Canberra, as the flowers bloom and the city comes alive.

Australia’s biggest flower festival occurs every spring in the city of Canberra, where for 30 days across September and October the nation’s capital is awash with colour in celebration of spring.

Floriade 2024 is more than just a flower festival, though – it’s one of the best Aussie events on in September. Each year, Canberra comes alive with entertainment, music, cultural celebrations, food and wine, horticultural workshops, market stalls, art displays and more. Here is everything you need to know about Floriade before visiting.

Floriade in Canberra — Floriade is the brainchild of Christiaan Slotemaker de Bruine.

What is Floriade?

Floriade was the brainchild of Christiaan Slotemaker de Bruine, a landscape architect with the Department of Capital Territory in Canberra. Back in 1986, he was inspired by the famous Keukenhof Garden in The Netherlands and teamed up with horticulturalist and manager of the Commonwealth Garden, Peter Sutton, to create something similar.

The first event was held in 1988 and was intended to be a one-off celebration for Canberra’s 75th birthday. However, it was so popular that it now runs annually. The word “Floriade" is derived from the Latin “floreo", meaning “to be decked or covered with flowers".

Now, it has become the largest flower festival in the southern hemisphere, with over one million flowers blooming each year. The theme for 2024 is ‘Art in Bloom’ and will see the city transform into an explosion of colour for the 37th year running.

When is Floriade?

Floriade is held across 30 days in the months of September and October. In 2024, the festival will run from 14 September until 13 October.

Nightfest is an exciting evening program that runs alongside Floriade for just four nights only, between 3 and 6 October. Come night time, you’ll see the floral displays light up, offering a completely different perspective.

NightFest at Floriade, Canberra — NightFest offers a different perspective for four nights only.

There will also be plenty of live entertainment and food stalls by L’epi Bakery, Agostinis, Papa Deli and Bianco, plus a Bentspoke Brewing Beer Garden. Kiss Bang Cabaret will be taking over the Kazador tent for an adults-only (18+) ticketed show, too.

Within Floriade, there are also some key dates to know about. Dogs’ Day Out is a designated day when visitors can bring their furry friends along to the festival to enjoy the flower fields. It’s held on the final day of Floriade, 13 October. Guests can also look forward to meeting gardening guru Costa Georgiadis on 28 September.

Dogs Day Out at Floriade, Canberra — Furry friends can get amongst the flowers during Dogs’ Day Out.

Another epic event to circle on your program is the Great Big Bulb Dig . Held the day after Floriade closes on 14 October, the dig gives you a chance to take a piece of the festival home.

All funds raised by the dig will go directly to Roundabout Canberra and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, two local charities chosen by Floriade’s presenting partner, Synergy Group. So buy a bag and get digging – it’s for a good cause!

How much does Floriade cost?

And here’s the best part – entry to Floriade is free! The festival won’t cost you anything, as it predominantly takes place in Commonwealth Park, a public space in the heart of Canberra. However, some events, like Nightfest, require an entry fee and ticket that can be purchased online.

Gates are open from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm daily, with NightFest running from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm (during the allotted dates).

Is Floriade child-friendly?

Yes, Floriade is definitely child-friendly! In fact, there are plenty of kid-focused events and workshops that will delight all ages. Younger children can get crafty at Floriade Sprouts, while teenagers will love the Teen Oil Painting class.

Don’t miss Gnome Knoll, where kids can paint their own gnome to take home. Or ride the iconic Floriade Ferris Wheel for a birds-eye view. The circus entertainment, magic show and Dr Hubble’s Bubble Show are also great for little ones!

Painting workshop at Floriade in Canberra — There are plenty of workshops for kids of all ages.

Is Floriade accessible?

Floriade aims to be an accessible and inclusive event for everyone. There is a designated sensory hour between 9:30 am and 10:30 am on weekdays, when amplified sounds and stage performances are reduced.

Accessible public transport and onsite parking is also available, as well as mobility scooters, walking frames, wheelchairs and prams for hire. For elderly and mobility impaired attendees, a designated drop-off zone at the front gate is provided.

Where should you stay for Floriade?

Floriade’s main celebrations occur in Commonwealth Park, so staying nearby will make your visit a little easier. There are several great accommodation options around the city, from cosy Airbnbs to great caravan parks for camping.

If you’d rather stay in a hotel, check out the lovely Hyatt Hotel Canberra, which is perfect for solo travellers, couples and families. It’s only a 15-minute walk from Floriade too. Due to Canberra’s efficient infrastructure, you can stay in most neighbourhoods within the city and still easily access Commonwealth Park.

Hyatt Hotel Canberra exterior — Stay at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

Getting to Floriade

The best way to get to Floriade is by using public transport or walking from your accommodation. Parking can be difficult at this time of year, so if you can, leave the car and catch the light rail, ferry or bus.

There is a free Floriade shuttle bus that runs to and from Canberra’s CBD each day, with a schedule posted closer to the event. If you do plan to drive, the best parking can be found at the Regatta Point carpark; parking rates may apply.

Check out our Canberra travel guide for more insider travel tips and hidden gems.

From cabins to canvas, craft distillers to destination dining, Heathcote locals reveal their eco-savvy passions in ways that resonate with those seeking to travel lightly.

Heathcote , on traditional Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, is synonymous with its garnet-hued shiraz, but wine isn’t the only string to its bow. The town itself is sprinkled with heritage buildings from the gold rush era, and beyond that a growing collection of sustainable gastronomy and eco-friendly escapes. Nearby Bendigo, one of only 65 cities in the world recognised as a UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, plates up an astonishing calibre of produce, wine and food for its size. Increasingly the entire region is taking up the challenge, though Heathcote in particular shines with its focus on sustainability.

Pink Cliffs GeologicalReserve — The dramatic landscape of Heathcote’s Pink Cliffs Geological Reserve. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Goodfrey)

The eco-stays bringing sustainability to Heathcote

Yellow BoxWood’s safari-style tents — Yellow Box Wood’s safari-style tents are nestled on 40 hectares of bushland. (Image: Emily Goodfrey)

Andee and Lisa Davidson spent years working in southern Africa before settling in Heathcote. “We had a vision of how this could be,” explains Andee. “We wanted a retreat, but one that was off-grid and environmentally sustainable.” Now, at Yellow Box Wood , two luxury safari-style tents are at the heart of 40 hectares of rolling hills and native bush, with kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, goanna and birdlife aplenty. It’s all solar-powered, wood for the fire is mainly fallen timber, and water is collected on the carport roof. No lack of creature comforts though – en suite with rain shower, espresso coffee maker, comfy seating, wood-burning fire all set to go. There’s also a solar-heated, mineral salt pool in a bush setting, walking tracks, and even a mini bush golf course. On my visit, I put the vision to the test. Cocooned in the plush four-poster bed I can glimpse the stars, while the heater casts a golden glow on the canvas. In the morning, I wake to a blush-pink sunrise, kangaroos feeding and a soundtrack of magpies.

If a tent is not your style, Stephen and Cally Trompp’s carbon-neutral Mt Ida Eco Cabin might entice with its generous deck and farmland views. Inside the cabin, corrugated iron walls as rusty as a shearing shed, gleaming (recycled) floorboards, timber truss ceiling (crafted by Stephen), wood-fired heater and an old-school turntable with a pile of vinyls to spin. It’s fun, and a little boho. “Everything is recycled. The cabin takes maximum advantage of the sun in winter. It’s all solar-powered. Don’t panic, though,” says Stephen, “you can still charge your phone and get 4G reception!” Settle into an Adirondack chair on the deck or pedal off on a mountain bike to suss out the wineries.

A taste of Spain in Central Victoria

Another person with a vision is Evan Pritchard at his Three Dams Estate where the wines reflect his deep love of Spain and of Spanish-style grapes, such as tempranillo. Afternoons in the ‘wine shed’ or cantina are matched with music (flamenco is a favourite), Spanish bites from tapas to paella (with Evan on the pans!) and views to Mount Alexander. Sustainability is also a passion. “You don’t need to buy anything. We decided to be off-grid from the start, but it is a lifestyle change,” he says. “You need to think about it and be careful.” Everything here is recycled, reassembled, refurbished. Evan has an electric car (with solar-powered charger), solar-power for the winery, and even a jaunty little electric tractor/forklift. “I love the idea of all the things you can do using the sun.” Sipping a crisp rosado (a Spanish rosé) with Evan in the sunshine, I couldn’t agree more.

The vineyard redefining sustainable winemaking

Silver Spoon winery — The Silverspoon Estate winery is completely off-grid. (Image: Graham Hosking)

On the other side of Heathcote, Silver Spoon Estate demonstrates sustainability on a more extensive scale. Tracie and Peter Young’s winery, cellar door, award-winning restaurant and their own house are all solar-powered and off the grid. Sustainability is intrinsic to everything they do. The property sprawls across 100 hectares, with 20 hectares under vine – shiraz, viognier, grenache, tempranillo. As the climate has changed, so too has the approach. These are dry-grown vineyards. “We prune for drought. That means lower yields but more intense flavours,” says Peter. The fine-dining restaurant offers sweeping views, a wood-burning fire and a deck for languid lunches. Head chef Ben Hong sources regional, sustainable ingredients and weaves estate wines into the menu – think crispy wild mushroom arancini, viognier-infused chicken breast.

Silver Spoon’s award-winning restaurant.

Heathcote’s other hidden gems

Not all local wineries have a cellar door, but I find local treasures at the Heathcote Wine Hub , a petite 1855 timber church in the main street, lovingly returned to life by Karen Robertson and Carey Moncrieff. “Carey is a scrounger,” says Karen. “He doesn’t throw a single thing away.” He does, however, craft things into something quite special. Heritage floors, light-filtering lancet windows and shelves of regional wines create the perfect ambience for wine tasting. Or order a glass and linger over a cheese platter.

Heathcote is not all wine, of course. Nathan Wheat and partner Vanessa Curtis run Envy Distilling with a committed sustainable ethic – and a serious love of gin. Their small-batch distillery produces grape-based gin, and soon brandy. Distilled water is reused in an ingenious cooling system. All waste is treated on site. They buy excess wine from winemakers to distil and buy recycled barrels. “Distilling with the sun,” as Nathan says. Each Envy gin has its own story. Spicy, award-winning The Dry, is designed to capture the region’s dry, rugged nature. Pull up a stool at the bar (reclaimed timbers and tiles, of course), order a Gin Flight, or kick back with a cocktail and let Nathan share his eco journey.

Envy gins — Sample gins at small-batch distillery Envy.

A traveller’s checklist

Getting there

It’s less than two hours’ drive from Melbourne. The scenic route we take goes past Sunbury, then along a splendid country road through Romsey and the magic, boulder-strewn landscape of Lancefield. Watch for kangaroos on the road!

Staying there

Go off-grid in style at Yellow Box Wood for glamping or try Mt Ida Eco Cabin for a couple’s weekend hideaway.

Eating there

French dishes at Chauncy — Award-winning French restaurant Chauncy.

At award-winning Chauncy , French chef Louis Naepels and sommelier wife Tess Murray have created a tiny, elegant pocket of rural France. Meticulously restored 1850s sandstone building, sun-drenched dining room, impeccable service, a menu suffused with local flavours and thoughtful wine pairings.

Fodder is both cafe and social hub. Chef Mo Pun and sister Lalita serve classic Aussie breakfast-to-lunch fare, though their Nepalese heritage sneaks through.

Playing there

Sanguine Estate ’s cellar door and terrace overlook bucolic vineyards. Its award-winning, dry-grown wines include the distinctive D’Orsa Blanc dessert wine, reflecting the family’s Swiss-Italian heritage. Order a charcuterie board and stay a while. Keep it carbon neutral by cycling some (or all) of the 50-kilometre O’Keefe Rail Trail to Bendigo.

At Bridgeward Grove , learn about the property’s Old Mission Grove heritage olive trees, do a sommelier olive oil tasting, and stock up on sustainably grown olives and oil. Explore the unique landscape, wildflowers and wildlife of pink cliffs geological reserve.

An insider’s guide to visiting Floriade 2024 in Canberra