Your state-by-state guide to the best spring gardens in Australia

Come springtime, Australia explodes in a profusion of colour. Local cherry blossoms signal the start of the season, jacarandas spread pastel lavender tones, and Australia’s native flowers, like the iconic waratah (New South Wales' national flower) and yellow billy buttons, burst forth with brilliant hues.

From thriving national parks to immaculate orchards, this guide helps you find the best local blooms in your state.

Situated next to the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens is Australia’s oldest botanical garden with 30 hectares of rolling lawns, leafy groves and floral trails. Explore a purple sea of blooming jacaranda trees, along with springtime splashes of pink, red, and yellow azaleas, snow-white rhododendrons, and lavender wisterias.

Think Kosciuszko, and ski fields, hiking trails, or Australia’s highest peak might come to mind. But few know that this spectacular alpine park has more in store — like the colourful wildflowers that bloom en masse every spring. With 21 floral varieties to call its own, this iconic landscape is also home to classic spring flora like bright yellow billy buttons, pink everlasting daisies, yellow and purple eyebrights.

This is the only botanic garden in Australia located in a UNESCO World Heritage area. With over 900 colourful species of plants on display, the lush trails in the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden lead up to the famous Three Sisters lookout point, where you can see miles of eucalyptus trees resembling a ‘blue haze’. Fiery red waratahs can be found in the Blackheath, Glenbrook, Katoomba, Lower Grose Valley, and Mount Wilson areas of the park. Discover the best viewpoints on a guided tour from Sydney—or plan your route with information on each trail here.

The small town of Grafton explodes in a haze of dreamy lavender blossoms ahead of the annual Jacaranda Festival in late October. With more than 6,500 trees and 24 beautiful parks around this small town, you’re all set to walk your way through spring. See Park, with its looming jacaranda trees and proximity to the Clarence Riverfront, is a great place to start.

The Dandenong Ranges is a sprawling cool climate garden showcasing over 15,000 rhododendrons, 12,000 azaleas, 3,000 camellias and 250,000 daffodils, with incredible views over Yarra Valley. Known best for vibrant pink rhododendron clusters, the open garden demands at least a few hours of exploration during spring—nothing less. The sights are better enjoyed onboard Puffing Billy; the train runs through the lush forest, making several stops at mountain villages along the way.

Follow Werribee’s sweet floral scent and find yourself at Victoria State Rose Garden, where 5,000 colourful roses bloom, climb and ramble across five hectares of trimmed garden paths and archways. With the historic Werribee Park Mansion and lush Werribee Park close by, wandering in the area can take up a full day. Kids and the elderly might enjoy a quick stop at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, just five minutes away.

Enter the enchanting dreamland of the late Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, who received the grounds as a betrothal gift from her husband. Carefully tended to for over 80 years, Cruden Farm combines the beauty of weeping wisterias, lush lilacs, colourful roses, and massive rhododendrons in one scenic spot. For a full day of fun, pair your outing with a visit to the nearby McClelland Gallery & Sculpture Park.

Poincianas are characteristic of Brisbane, and there’s no better place to admire these blooming Christmas trees than New Farm Park. Known as the flame tree that signals the beginning of spring, you won’t miss these firetruck-red trees standing against the pale blue sky. The park is also a great place to spot jacarandas. Cap off your day with a sunset cruise down the nearby Brisbane River, where you can catch more iconic city views.

This park was named Girraween, meaning “place of flowers”, for good reason. Alongside peak views and otherworldly granite formations, the park’s multi-coloured bushwalks are lined with white heaths mixed with red, yellow, purple pea flowers, golden billy buttons, pink trigger plants and violet bluebells. Camp overnight—Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek are ideal sites—to explore the many trails and sights the park has to offer. While you’re in the area, drop by Wisteria Cottage for some heavenly chocolate.

Rated as one of the top attractions in Perth on Tripadvisor, the 400-hectare Kings Park and Botanic Garden is a must-see in spring—over 3,000 native species of wildflowers thrive here. Explore a range of walking trails at your own pace or join free guided walks or tours. Perth’s Tiny Tours also offers a local wildflower tour across Kings Park and Araluen Botanic Park.

Lesueur National Park is one of WA’s most significant wildflower parks and a key landmark for botanical conservation. It’s home to 10% of WA’s flora population, with over 900 stunning flora species scattered across low heath and creek lines. Watch for wildlife like kangaroos and native birds—if you’re lucky, you might even spot the elusive Carnaby’s black cockatoo.

Vibrant tulip beds of all shades come alive in Araluen. Its well-maintained lawns, incredible tulip displays and beautiful water features are a big draw, so schedule at least one to three hours for exploring. Looking for a picnic spot? Park yourself by Stinton Creek to enjoy your lunch. Or enjoy a day tour of WA's spring wildflowers, courtesy of Perths Tiny Tours.

One of three botanical gardens in Adelaide, Wittunga is a suburban oasis teeming with pastel Ericas and Protea varieties, including an extensive collection of plants from Kangaroo Island and the Fleurieu Peninsula. Blessed with shady lawns and a tranquil lake, the park is a fun learning environment for families with kids looking to explore the floral trails. The fun continues with a family-friendly cruise down the nearby Torrens River.

Love walking and biking? Belair National Park has a well-trodden trail for that. This scenic woodland features the oldest plant nursery in South Australia, where you can find unique floral varieties including native donkey orchids, creamy candles and even cherry blossoms in early spring. From koalas to kookaburras, wildlife is teeming here—so get your camera ready.

Two words: Floral. Explosion. A common stop on road trip itineraries around Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty is a technicolour display of blushing rhododendrons, pastel azalea bushes, and cream-coloured magnolias. The ATCO Heritage Rose Garden is a must-see, with over 5,000 roses (including native blooms, too). Keen to explore the rest of the wine region? This tour can take you to some of the biggest vineyards around Adelaide Hills.

Check out Table Cape Tulip Farm—the go-to spot for an extravagant display of red, yellow, orange, pink and purple tulips. Endless beds of tulips bloom across 14 hectares of farmland for an entire month. To make the most of this once-a-year phenomenon, admire the scene from atop the Table Cape Lighthouse.

If you love roses, you’ll love Woolmer’s. Explore 460 varieties of roses in the exquisite National Rose Garden, said to house the country's most diverse collection of roses. There are even guided tours available in the property’s homestead, where heirlooms and artefacts preserved across six generations tell a greater story of Tasmanian history.

Run entirely by volunteer groundskeepers, the 11-hectare Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden is a labour of love. Rhododendrons and azaleas of all shades—purple, orange, red, yellow, pink—line airy walkways leading to peaceful lakes and bridges. While you're at it, discover incredible coastal sights on local excursions with Cradle Coast Tours.