There’s something wonderfully old-fashioned – and yet completely uplifting – about a flower festival done properly. And this Labour Day long weekend, the beloved Ballarat Begonia Festival returns in full colour to the stunning Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
From Saturday 7 to Monday 9 March, the historic gardens on the shores of Lake Wendouree will transform into a vibrant celebration of blooms, music, food and family fun — and best of all, entry is free.
The centrepiece of the festival is ‘A Symphony of Begonias’ inside the Robert Clark Conservatory. More than 600 rare and heritage begonias – lovingly grown over ten months by the gardens’ nursery team – will be showcased in towering pyramids of colour, cascading greenery and even butterfly-shaped floral installations.
It’s a reminder that regional Victoria does grand horticultural theatre as beautifully as anywhere in the country.
In a modern twist, ‘The Plants – Playable Streets’ installation invites visitors to literally touch the garden. Using bespoke digital sensors, real plants create music when handled — a gentle nudge that nature is more alive than we sometimes realise.
It’s immersive, a little magical, and surprisingly soothing.
Families will find plenty to enjoy in the Garden of Giggles precinct, where children can explore a buzzing bee world, dance to live music and meet roaming characters weaving through the grounds.
Elsewhere, sustainable micro-gardens, community-planted beds and brightly painted snail sculptures create a relaxed wander-and-discover atmosphere. Add food trucks, market stalls and the Begonia Bar, and you’ve got the perfect excuse for a long, lazy afternoon.
Celebrity gardening favourites including Sophie Thomson, Clarence Slockee, Matthew Evans, Nornie Bero and host Chloe Thomson will also appear across the weekend, sharing practical advice and plenty of inspiration for autumn planting.
For Starts at 60 readers, it’s a timely reminder that some of the best travel experiences aren’t overseas — they’re right here in our own backyard. A heritage conservatory, lakeside gardens and hundreds of rare blooms? That’s a weekend well spent.
Ballarat Botanical Gardens
Saturday 7 – Monday 9 March 2026
10am–5pm daily
Free entry
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