Each spring, tens of thousands of bulbs burst into bloom for the Tulip Time Festival in the Southern Highlands. One of Australia’s oldest flower festivals, Tulip Time has been running for more than 60 years, transforming the beautiful Corbett Gardens in Bowral in a sea of colour.
Festival of flowers
Festival of flowers
Tulip Time is held over 18 days from 19 September to 2 October 2023. More than 75,000 tulip bulbs, along with 15,000 annuals, are planted in Corbett Gardens creating fields of blooms and spectacular floral patterns. There are also market stalls, art installations, live music and roving performers. The gardens are open every day during the festival and there are also three Tulip Time After Dark evenings, when you can admire the flowers under the twinkle of fairy lights.
Another 30,000 tulip bulbs are planted across the Southern Highlands, so you can follow the Tulip Trail to other public gardens across the area. Visit Lions Park in Bowral, the Southern Highlands Visitor Information Centre and Winnifred West Park in Mittagong, and Leighton Gardens in Moss Vale. As you walk through the villages, you can admire the many gorgeous private gardens residents have planted in front of their homes that are also brimming with tulips.
For more than 150 years, travellers have been drawn to the quiet country charms of the Southern Highlands. Today, it’s still the perfect pastoral retreat for busy city folk looking for a weekend of good food, great wine and southern style.
