Australian festivals

Nothing better signals the arrival of spring than a display of bright, colourful flowers carpeting the landscape. It’s a comforting sign, indicating that the cold and wet of winter has passed (for many Australians) and plenty of sun-kissed days lie ahead.

A stack of destinations around Australia embrace the floral theme by hosting flower festivals each spring. In fact, some of these festivals have a history that dates more than half a century, and they attract big crowds. And with more than 180 parks scattered across Australia, BIG4 has fantastic accommodation that can put you at the heart of the action.

Here are half a dozen annual Australian flower festivals that have caught our eye.

1. Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, Queensland (16-25 September 2016)

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is entering its 67th year and is more than just a celebration of all things flora. The 10-day festival focuses on a wide range of themes, including food and wine, music, fashion, and the arts. A range of garden tour options gives dedicated green thumbs the opportunity to witness a bunch of floral displays with ease. Family-friendly events provide widespread appeal.

Upwards of 20 venues play host to this Queensland event, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors.

Where to stay: BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park.

2. Bright Spring Festival, Victoria (15 October-1 November 2016)

The Victorian town of Bright is a kaleidoscope of colour, and in spring it truly blossoms. The Bright Spring Festival has been held for more than 25 years and has a wide assortment of open gardens to admire.

While here, enjoy the opportunity to talk directly to the gardening experts. Along with the garden displays are markets, workshops, art exhibitions, foodie events, and even a fireworks display.

Where to stay: BIG4 Bright Holiday Park or BIG4 Porepunkah Holiday Park.

3. Tesselaar Tulip Festival, Silvan, Victoria (8 September-4 October 2016)

Remaining in Victoria, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival has been an eye-catching affair since 1954. Located in Silvan in the the Dandenong Ranges, east of Melbourne, the festival features a mind-blowing collection of tulips – more than half a million of them are on show.

If you can pry yourself away from this glorious display – possibly when your camera battery has given up – there is much more to grab your attention. Market stalls, live entertainment, tractor rides, and various themed days enhance the festival’s appeal.

Where to stay: BIG4 Yarra Valley Holiday Park in Healesville.

4. Kings Park Festival, Perth, Western Australia (1-30 September 2016)

Dating back more than half a century, the Kings Park Festival is a Perth institution. The event showcases a remarkable display of wildflowers at a time when they are at their blooming best, presented at a majestic venue that receives plenty of attention year round. Free guided wildflower walks are great for floral fanatics, and live music and family fun days ensure the festival has even more appeal.

Where to stay: BIG4 Perth Vineyards Holiday Park and Discovery Holiday Parks – Perth.

5. Renmark Rose Festival, South Australia (14-23 October 2016)

The South Australian town of Renmark springs to life each October as it celebrates a floral favourite – the rose. The Renmark Rose Festival is entering its 22st year and features a jam-packed assortment of events spread across a host of venues.

The festival stems from a desire to promote Renmark as the Rose Capital of Australia, and for 10 days this South Australian town certainly upholds that aim.