Where To See Spring Flowers In Melbourne & Victoria
It's that time of year again, Melbourne. As the chill finally breaks, our beautiful city and its surroundings are ready to burst into a glorious palette of colours. Get your cameras ready, because spring has sprung.
Whether you're a nature lover chasing wildflower displays or a keen urbanite looking for the best spring events, Melbourne and regional Victoria have it all. We’re talking about blossom festivals, iconic Dandenong Ranges garden escapes, and golden fields of canola.
This guide is your ultimate checklist to the best things to do this season. From strolling through the Royal Botanic Gardens to a scenic spring drive to witness breathtaking native flora, we’ve got your must-do list sorted. So step out of your cosy winter hibernation, soak up that vitamin D, and let's explore everything Melbourne's spring foliage has to offer.
The Grampians
Image Credit: Visit Victoria | Website
Just a three-hour drive west of Melbourne, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a rugged escape of sandstone peaks, cascading waterfalls, and ancient Aboriginal rock art. Centered around the village of Halls Gap, this dramatic landscape is part of the Great Dividing Range and blends natural beauty with thriving local food, wine, and tourism.
Each spring, this breathtaking region transforms into a wildflower paradise, showcasing an incredible third of Victoria's native flora. From late August through mid-November, visitors can witness a stunning burst of color as the region’s unique landscapes come alive with vibrant blooms.
Northern areas like Heatherlie Quarry and Mount Stapylton feature golden canola fields and flowering shrubs, while the grasslands support colorful plants like Eremophila and delicate native orchids. Further south, visitors can find native peas, graceful bluebells, striking pincushions, and hardy correas adding a rich palette of reds, purples, and greens to the landscape.
For the best wildflower experience, explore popular viewing spots along Pohlners Road, Roses Gap, and the scenic Halls Gap–Dunkeld Road. Nature lovers should not miss the Wildflower Walkabout Weekend held each October in Halls Gap, featuring guided walks, night-time strolls, and birdwatching sessions that celebrate the region’s botanical wonders.
High Country
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Just three hours from Melbourne, the Victorian High Country is at its most captivating in spring, when wildflowers blanket the alpine meadows and the crisp mountain air is perfect for hiking, cycling, and scenic drives. But don’t drive all that way without making a weekend of it - the High Country boasts some of the cutest stays on offer in Victoria, with boutique AirBNBs and cosy cabins to allow you to relax and savour cool-climate wines, craft beers, and fresh seasonal produce.
Spring is one of the best times to visit the region and the alpine trails are a haven for wildflower lovers, offering vibrant blooms that paint the alpine meadows, woodlands, and riverbanks each year. This rugged region, known for its towering mountains and pristine landscapes, bursts to life with a rich diversity of native flora. Visitors can discover delicate alpine daisies, colorful orchids, and bright pink heathflowers, alongside striking snow gums and native peas.
The area’s unique climate and altitude create perfect conditions for rare and endemic species found nowhere else. Popular wildflower spots include the Mount Buffalo National Park, Falls Creek, and the Bogong High Plains, where walking trails lead through these magical blooms. The wildflower season here typically runs from November to January, making it an ideal time to explore the High Country’s natural beauty.
The Great Ocean Road
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Stretching 243 kilometres along Victoria’s southwest coast, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives. Beginning in Torquay and winding its way to Allansford, the route takes in dramatic limestone cliffs, pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and charming seaside towns. The road also features Victoria's biggest landmarks including the surf breaks of Bells Beach, the world famous Twelve Apostles and the rainforest trails of Great Otway National Park - but what many people don’t know is that it’s also a spectacular destination for wildflower enthusiasts.
From late winter through spring, the region bursts into vibrant color as native wildflowers cover the coastal heathlands, forests, and dunes. Visitors can spot a huge variety of species, including bright pink and purple orchids, golden wattles, coastal banksias and grevilleas adding splashes of orange and red, attracting native birds and pollinators.
Wildflower hotspots along the route include the Great Otway National Park, Anglesea Heath, and the coastal reserves near Apollo Bay and Lorne. Walking trails and boardwalks offer peaceful opportunities to admire these natural floral displays up close.
Dandenong Ranges Botanical Gardens
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Just a short drive east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges offer a lush escape from the city bustle all year round, but from late August through November, the region bursts into colour as camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons thrive in spring and enchant the forest and roadside reserves.
Don’t miss the Sherbrooke Forest to see the towering mountain ash gums and lively lyrebird population. The waterfalls and diverse plant life are simply beautiful, and the shady gullies are perfect for a peaceful spring stroll. Other popular spots include the Grants Picnic Ground and Birdsland Reserve, where colourful blooms and native birdsong will have you feeling miles away from the city.
While visiting the Dandenongs, be sure to explore the artisan cafés and boutique gardens scattered throughout the hills. Pack a picnic or stop by a local eatery, then take in the floral displays along the beautifully quiet walking trails.
Alowyn Gardens Yarra Glen
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Just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne, Alowyn Gardens in Yarra Glen is 7 acres of award-winning landscaped gardens, privately owned and grown with love over the past 25 years.
One of the standout features of Alowyn Gardens is the breathtaking Wisteria Arch, where delicate purple blooms of Japanese wisteria cascade in a spectacular display. In full bloom for around four weeks in October, it’s a showstopper and easy to see why it’s such a popular backdrop for weddings and special events.
Visitors can wander winding paths through themed garden rooms, tranquil ponds, and sculptural displays, taking time to pause and soak up the serene atmosphere. The on-site café is a highlight, serving freshly brewed coffee, and light meals and is ideal for a relaxing break amid the flowers. For those inspired by the gardens, the nursery and gift shop offer a wide selection of plants, flowering bulbs, and garden-inspired keepsakes to bring a piece of spring home.
CherryHill Orchids
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From September 24 to October 5, Victoria’s cherry orchards come alive in a breathtaking spectacle of blossoms, welcoming the warmer days with a celebration that has quickly become a beloved springtime tradition. This annual event invites Melburnians and visitors alike to step into a floral wonderland at CherryHill, featuring rows of cherry trees bursting into full bloom, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for family outings, romantic strolls, or solo escapes.
Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks through the orchard, stop for a picnic and capture stunning photos of the delicate blossoms, and soak up the peaceful countryside vibes just a short drive from the city. Don’t miss the café and bar, serving cherry-inspired drinks, jams, and their famous cherry ice cream.
Victoria’s cherry blossom season is an unmissable (and brief) highlight on Melbourne’s spring calendar, so jump in the car and don’t miss the blooms!
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
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This year, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival is celebrating its 70th year anniversary, with over a million spring bulbs flowering in a stunning display of color. The festival is a great day out for families with music and entertainment, a wide variety of Dutch foodstalls, tractor train rides and shopping.
Stroll through the gardens and check out the live music and performances, and indulge in traditional Dutch treats such as poffertjes or simply settle in for a picnic in the beautiful surroundings. A visit to the Clog Shop is a must—you can try on clogs and even climb into the world’s largest for a memorable photo.
The festival runs everyday from 10am-5pm between September 14th-October 13th.
Main Image Credit: Visit Victoria | Website