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4 of the best NSW Spring flower festival regions

What's the best thing about winter? It's the promises of the spring flower festivals to come.

Here Sandra Ross gives you her 4 favourite regions of NSW to enjoy spring flower festivals. Hang in there - spring is just around the corner!

 


Sandra Ross enjoying Tulip Time at Corbett Park.

 

1. The Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands is a great place to start and Tulip Time in Bowral this year is partnering with The Garvan Research Foundation's 'Love Your Sister' campaign. Expect to see lots of hot pink tulips, street Parade, Market stalls, Music in the Gardens and plenty more flowery frivolity besides. Stay at the lovely Hotel Gibraltar where cosy fires will be blazing.

And whilst in the Southern Highlands the peonies will be unfolding at Retford Park, exquisite white magnolia is the pick at Red Cow Farm, and paper daisies are displayed in spectacular drifts at the Australian Botanic Garden at Mt Annan. And not too far from Mt Annan is the charming country property of Mickey Robertson, historic Glenmore House. A wander around the grounds reveals little spring treasures in the floral garden borders awakening from their winter slumber. Visit during her open days, October 15 & 16.

 


Paper daisies at the Australian Botanic Garden Mt Annan. Photo - Robin Powell

 


Historic Glenmore House. Photo - Sandra Ross

 

2. Canberra

Canberra is a capital spring destination, and no spring tour of NSW would be complete without a visit to Floriade. Stay at the Crowne Plaza in the centre of town so as to explore the intimate courtyards of Parliament House at the peak of cherry blossom beauty. And if its blossom that makes your heart beat then Tulip Top is a must see, a gem of a garden just outside Canberra.

 


Canberra's most famous spring festival of flowers, Floriade. Photo - Jo Bakas/floriadeaustralia.com

 

Aussie gardens don’t get much grander than one in Canberra’s Red Hill, home and garden of Ben & Ros Walcott. It's one of the best native gardens open to the public in spring. A magnificent and massive two-acre garden planted with more than 4000 plants from close to 1000 species.

 

Ros and Ben Walcott's native garden at Red Hill, Canberra. Photo - Robin Powell

 

Feeling peckish? It must be time for a sugar hit with High Tea at the Hyatt.

 

3. Central Tablelands

A stunning country region with lovely gardens. Discover country charm at Millthorpe, with 'Godolphin', 'Bromley' and 'Millthorpe Village Garden'. Head to Canowindra to Chris Cuddy's 'Perennialle'. The refined ambience of the De Russie Suites, Orange, provides warm country hospitality.

Stop in to have lunch in the world famous Cowra Japanese Garden, designed by Ken Nakajima in 1977. It’s more than a garden; it’s a powerful symbol of good will, encouraging reconciliation and peace. Japanese cherry blossom here is unbeatable.

Or head east to Oberon and the magnificent Mayfield Garden to make your heart leap.

 


Mayfield Water Garden. Photo - mayfieldgarden.com.au

 

4. The Blue Mountains

Head back home through the Blue Mountains in time for the Leura Gardens Festival, one of the longest running open garden festivals in the country. Visit some of our favourites, 'Rob Roy', 'Tanglewood', 'Glenshiel', and of course the fabulous 'Leura Everglades'. Staying at the grand old Hydro Majestic is especially divine with breathtaking view over the Megalong Valley all the way to the Southern Highlands where your spring flower festival circuit began.

 


The famous Blue Mountains iconic hotel, the Hydro Majestic. Photo - Sandra Ross

 

'Glenshiel', part of the Leura Garden Festival. Photo - leuragardenfestival.com.au

 

No visit to the Blue Mountains would be complete without crossing the Darling Causeway to Mount Wilson and enjoying the magnificent 'Nooroo.'

 


Nooroo in Mount Wilson. Photo -mtwilson.com.au

 

Come with us from 21 September to 2 October. Check out the full itinerary for NSW Spring Festivals Itinerary at Ross Tours enquiries or call 1300 233 200