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A blooming great guide to Canberra’s Floriade in 2025

Alex Keshen

05 Sep 2025 - 2 min read

Gardens and a ferris wheel at Floriade in Canberra.

Spring hasn’t officially sprung until the brilliant blooms of Canberra’s Floriade festival have opened. The annual festival is about to kick off its 38th year transforming the capital’s Commonwealth Park into a colourful display of a million flowers. Of course, alongside the garden beds you’ll be able to find street food favourites, live music and local wines.

When is Floriade in 2025?

The month-long festival starts on Saturday, 13 September and runs through Sunday, 12 October in 2025. It’s open to the public daily from 9:30 am to 5:30pm.

Where is it and how to get there?

The official location of Floriade is Commonwealth Park, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin.

Parking is at a premium, and on-site parking isn’t available during the event. The closest car parks are about 500 metres away.

Alternatively, there are free buses and shuttles to help you get there with ease and spend more time wandering through the gardens than being stuck in traffic.

Other Floriade-adjecent events are also taking place at the same time, which you may want to check out if you’re making a trip to Canberra for the event.

Lanyon Homestead: About 30 minutes from Canberra city centre, this satellite site of the event will be hosting tours of its gardens, long lunches, star gazing and a special kids day out event

Tulip Tops: A private garden on the outskirts of town, Tulip Tops is a ticketed garden that’s often much less crowded than the official Floriade event and has on-site parking. Although not officially part of Floriade, this family owned garden is open the same dates.

What to see and do at Floriade 2025

This year’s Floriade theme is Science and Nature, so there’s going to be plenty of fascinating garden displays, talks and more.

Gardens: Twelve science-themed garden bed designs, including DNA, space, temperature and even petri dishes will be in full bloom

Tours:

Talks: Dr Karl will talk about all things science while other industry leaders discuss how nature affects fashion

Performances: Live music, dance and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment throughout the festival

Workshops: Learn about crafts, photography, insects and, of course, flowers

Food and drink experiences: Long lunches, high teas and wine tastings both on site and at nearby venues

How much are tickets and how to get them

Floriade’s day festival is free, and no tickets are required for entry. There are a few paid experiences and events taking place, which we’ve listed some highlights below.

Garden tours: From AU$16

Wine tasting experience: From AU$16

Cocktail high tea: From AU$30

High tea: From AU$79

If you do want to experience Night Fest, tickets are required and cost AU$29 per person. They’re available on the official Floriade website.

Where to stay near Floriade

There’s plenty of accommodation options in Canberra, but these hotels are going to get you the closest to the Floriade action:

A by Adina Canberra: An upscale hotel that’s right in Canberra’s city centre and close to where shuttle busses to Floriade will be

Nesuto Canberra: Easy, apartment-style accommodation that’s ideal for larger families

Little Drifter Canberra: Affordable dorm- or private-room accommodation that’s modern and centrally located.

Tips for getting the most out of Floriade

Go early: Flowers only last so long, so if you want to get the best of the blooms, try to visit earlier in the festival.

Or… go late: If you plan a visit the last week of the festival, you’ll have the chance to take blooms home with you. On Monday, 13 October, a day after Floriade ends, you can pay AU$20 to take a bag of blooms home with you. After all, these gardens are temporary and won’t be sticking around once Floriade finishes.

Leave your car at home: Parking isn’t available on site, and the car parks aren’t all that close. Shuttle buses will be available that can take you straight to the entrance.

Pay to avoid crowds: Floriade itself can get a bit busy, so if you’re not a fan of crowds and aren’t on too tight of a budget, try visiting Tulip Tops instead.

Ready to plan your trip to Canberra for Floriade?

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