Spring is the perfect time to celebrate the diversity of Australia and New Zealand’s native plants, alongside a few international favourites. 

Across Australia and New Zealand, towns come alive with incredible flower festivals that are well worth a visit. Whether you’re popping in for the day, planning an interstate adventure or heading across the Tasman, they offer the perfect excuse to get outdoors, enjoy the blooms and embrace spring dressing. 

Let the colours, scents and beauty of the season inspire you as we explore some of our favourite floral destinations. 

Floriade – Canberra, ACT 

Floriade is quite simply Australia’s biggest celebration of spring, transforming Canberra’s Commonwealth Park into a sea of colour. This year’s theme, Feast of Flowers, invites visitors to experience spring through all the senses. 

Look forward to spectacular garden displays and plenty of entertainment throughout the festival. And if you can’t bear to leave your favourite pooch at home, Dogs’ Day Out gives your four-legged friend their own moment amongst the blooms. 

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Blue Illusion guide without a little style inspiration. Embrace the botanical prints of our Paradis Tropical collection in the Pink Tropical Printed Blouse and matching Button Detail Skirt. Trop chou! 

12 September – 11 October 2026 

Bloom Festival – Great Southern, WA 

Western Australia certainly knows how to put on a wildflower show. Spanning towns throughout the Great Southern, Bloom Festival celebrates the region’s spectacular native flora with open gardens, wildflower walks, exhibitions, and plenty more along the way. 

There’s still time to catch some of the festival’s final events, including La Hacienda Open Garden in Kojonup on 10 and 11 October. More than 40 years in the making, the water-wise garden is filled with architectural cacti, sculptural plantings, garden rooms, and artwork. 

This is one for the garden lovers who don’t mind venturing a little further afield. Pack something comfortable, add a touch of colour, and prepare to stop and smell the wildflowers — quite literally. 

12 September – 11 October 2026 

Grafton Jacaranda Festival – Grafton, NSW 

We all remember the warning from our studying days: “If you haven’t started studying when the jacarandas bloom, you will fail your exams.” Thankfully, those days are behind us, and we can simply enjoy the lilac blooms in peace. 

A few hours’ drive south of Brisbane, Grafton becomes awash with purple as its famous jacaranda trees bloom throughout October and November. 

The Grafton Jacaranda Festival dates back to 1935 and continues to celebrate the arrival of jacaranda season and the city’s botanical heritage. 

Against all that lilac, why not wear a garden of your own? Our Scallop Scenic Dress features beautiful scenic detailing, while the scalloped V-neckline and armholes add an elevated finishing touch. Perfect for finding a little joie de vivre amongst the jacarandas. 

30 October – 8 November 2026 

Taranaki Garden Festivals – Taranaki, New Zealand 

Perhaps spring is calling for a little trip across the Tasman? 

For ten days, Taranaki becomes something of a garden lover’s playground, with gardens across the region opening their gates to visitors. From carefully considered private gardens to more relaxed, personality-filled spaces, there’s plenty to discover — and perhaps a little inspiration to take home to your own garden. 

With so much to see, our only advice is to leave yourself enough time to wander. And with Mount Taranaki as the backdrop, we suspect you’ll be stopping for more than a few photographs along the way. 

30 October – 8 November 2026 

Longford Blooms & Festival of Roses – Longford, Tasmania 

Just when you think spring might be winding down, Tasmania puts on one final floral show. 

Longford Blooms opens the gates to 11 private gardens around the historic town, while the Longford Garden Club’s Spring Flower Show fills the Town Hall with roses, irises, and other seasonal favourites. 

And the following weekend, there’s another reason to stay amongst the flowers. Nearby Woolmers Estate hosts its Festival of Roses, with around 3,000 roses across 350 varieties filling its beautiful Rose Garden. 

With thousands of roses in bloom, stopping to smell them is practically compulsory. And really, what better excuse is there to wear something a little romantic? 

Longford Blooms: 14–15 November 2026 

Festival of Roses: 22 November 2026