Flowers & gardens

Blue Lotus Water Garden

A world of flowers and fun is waiting for you at Blue Lotus Water Garden in the Yarra Valley. Spanning 5 hectares, these tropical-themed gardens include over 40 different ponds, lakes and water features which produce a stunning display of lotus and waterlily flowers. There are also an amazing array of exotic plants, garden exhibits, fountains, waterfalls, floral sculptures, walks and scenic vistas. Enjoy a picnic or a BBQ in the gardens or experience the wonderful hospitality of the Lily Pond Cafe.

Lavandula Swiss Italian Farm

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

Location: Hepburn Springs

Mornington Botanical Rose Gardens

The rose gardens are located at Civic Reserve and feature over 4,000 rose plants surrounded by a border of native trees and shrubs. There are almost 90 rose beds, sculptures, a rotunda, viewing platform and visitor centre where regular high teas are held.

Location: Mornington

Morwell Centenary Rose Garden

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 colour 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.

Location: Morwell

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

Set on a hilltop, there are 43 hectares of gardens featuring thousands of brilliantly coloured blooms including rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Visitors can enjoy the stunning flowers and the scenic backdrop of the Dandenong Ranges. Located within the gardens is Chelsea Australian Garden - a spectacular native garden which includes a billabong, waterfall, thousands of plants and an enormous waratah sculpture.

Location: Olinda

Victoria State Rose Garden

Opened in 1986, the internationally acclaimed Victoria State Rose Garden features over 5,000 roses across 2½ hectares. Explore the beautifully laid out gardens which are blooming at their best between November and April.

Location: Werribee

Alexandra & District Open Gardens

October. Some of the finest gardens in the district are open for public viewing during this festival. Meet garden creators and share their passion.

Location: Alexandra

Angair Wildflower & Art Weekend

September. View spectacular displays of native flowers and join guided walks and bus tours of bushland and nearby flora reserves. The exhibition at the Memorial Hall in Anglesea includes indigenous plants for sale, art and craft displays, and exciting childrens activities.

Location: Anglesea

Ballarat Begonia Festival

March. A festival celebrating Ballarat's world renowned begonias with their vibrant colours and magnificent blooms. There is an outstanding begonia display at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens as well as live entertainment, childrens activities, vintage tram rides, a gardener's market and great regional food and wine offerings.

Location: Ballarat

Festival of Gardens

October / November. This spring-time festival sees locals opening their wonderful gardens to the public, from large rambling country gardens to compact cottage gardens and everything in between.

Location: Castlemaine

Gardivalia Festival of Gardens

Discover the many beautiful gardens in west Gippsland, from those small courtyard types to grand country gardens, during this festival. There's open gardens, garden tours, demonstrations, workshops and displays.

International Rose Garden Festival

November. Held at the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden to showcase the roses in full bloom, this family-friendly event features activities and entertainment across a weekend. There is live music, roving performers, talks by gardening experts, interactive workshops, food trucks and market stalls. At night, the garden is brought to life with stunning display of lights.

Location: Morwell

Kabloom Festival of Flowers

March / April. Tesselaar Tulip Farm, located in the Dandenong Ranges town of Silvan, hosts a festival of flowers during the Easter school holidays. See fields filled with thousands of colourful flowers including begonias, cleomes, cosmos, dahlias, marigolds, salvias and sunflowers. There is lots of entertainment, music, dancing, activities for those of all ages and delicious food vendors.

Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show

March / April. This is the biggest annual garden show in in the Southern Hemisphere. The world renowned Melbourne International Flower & Garden show is held within the Royal Exhibition Building and the southern section of the Carlton Gardens. The passion and creativity of Australia's top floral and landscape designers unite to create stunning displays and share new and innovative garden ideas. There are demonstrations, sales of garden products and food stalls.

Location: Carlton

Tesselaar Tulip Festival

September / October. In the small Dandenong Ranges township of Silvan are beds of millions of lush tulips in an array of vibrant and awe-inspiring colours. Each year the well known Tesselaar Tulip Farm holds a tulip festival to showcase this gorgeous flower in all of its purple patch glory. Visitors will be dazzled by the stunning and wondrous fields of lush colourful tulips that grow here, and there is also live entertainment, market stalls and tempting food on offer. Chances are that if you've ordered tulips at your local florist anywhere within Australia, they have probably come from Tesselaar Tulip Farm.