Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2025 | image from https://tulipfestival.com.au/

Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2025: A Blooming Wonderland in the Dandenong Ranges

May 1, 2025| May 1, 2025 Events&Festivals, Flower Festivals, World Fest 5 min read

Each spring, just as Melbourne begins to shake off the winter chill, the rolling hills of Silvan, Victoria burst into a vivid sea of color. The Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2025 returns from September 13 to October 12, transforming the Dandenong Ranges into a floral paradise with over a million tulips spanning across five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

This internationally renowned event is one of Australia’s most iconic flower festivals and offers something for everyone—whether you’re a plant lover, photographer, family traveler, or someone just seeking a perfect spring day out.

🌷 A Garden of Over a Million Blooms

The centerpiece of the festival is, of course, the tulips. From rare hybrids to traditional varieties, visitors can witness an incredible range of colors and styles, arranged in breathtaking patterns across the fields. In addition to tulips, early-season blooms include daffodils, hyacinths, and blossoming cherry trees that add to the dreamy spring ambiance.

You can explore the gardens at your own pace, hop on a tractor train tour, or even find the perfect picnic spot surrounded by the floral brilliance of the Dandenongs.

🎉 Themed Weekends & Special Events

Every weekend during the festival brings a new cultural experience. Here’s what to expect:

Turkish Weekend (Sept 13–14): Celebrate the origin of the tulip with Turkish music, dancing, crafts, and traditional foods.
Dutch Weekend (Sept 20–21): A tribute to the Netherlands with Dutch costumes, clogs, folk dancing, and cheese-making displays.
Food, Wine & Jazz (Sept 26–28): Enjoy local wines, gourmet treats, and laid-back live jazz in a relaxed garden atmosphere.
Rock the Fields (Oct 4–5): Groove to the sounds of live rock bands while surrounded by fields of flowers.
Irish Weekend (Oct 11–12): Irish dancers, Celtic music, and hearty fare round off the final days of the festival.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun & Children’s Weeks

Families are in for a treat with two dedicated Children’s Weeks:

Sept 22–25 and Sept 29–Oct 3

These weeks are packed with interactive shows, fairy storytelling, bubble performances, drumming workshops, reptile encounters, and tractor rides. Entry for children 16 and under is free when accompanied by an adult, making it an affordable family outing.

🎭 Live Shows, Cultural Demos & Entertainment

Beyond flowers, the Tesselaar Tulip Festival features a full entertainment program:

Daily live music from folk, jazz, and classical to pop and rock
Cultural performances from Dutch clog dancers to Turkish drummers
Demonstrations of traditional crafts and local food tastings
Access to the largest wooden clogs in the Southern Hemisphere—perfect for quirky photos!

🛍️ Market Stalls & Food

Visitors can browse artisan stalls selling tulip bulbs, handmade crafts, and unique souvenirs. Food trucks and market vendors offer everything from Dutch poffertjes and Turkish gözleme to local wine and coffee. The scent of blooms mingling with freshly made treats is truly a highlight.

🐶 Pet-Friendly and Accessible

Dogs on leads are welcome, making it a great day out for furry friends.
The park is pram-friendly and offers easy access paths for wheelchair users.
Onsite amenities include toilets, picnic spots, gift shops, and shaded rest areas.

🚗 Getting There

Address: 357 Monbulk Road, Silvan VIC 3795, Australia

By Car: Located about one hour from Melbourne, with free onsite parking.
Public Transport: Take a train to Lilydale Station, then catch the connecting bus to Silvan. Shuttle services may also operate during peak times.

🎟️ Tickets & Pricing

Adults: $35 (Spring Fever discounted rate: $24.50)
Concession: $31 (Spring Fever: $22.50)
Children (16 & under): Free (when accompanied by an adult)
Groups & School Bookings: Available at reduced rates

Book early to take advantage of Spring Fever deals and avoid disappointment during peak weekends.

🌼 Final Thoughts

The Tesselaar Tulip Festival 2025 is much more than a floral display—it’s a multi-sensory spring celebration that blends nature, culture, entertainment, and fun. Whether you’re admiring the artistry of the tulip fields, dancing to live jazz, or introducing your kids to the magic of spring blooms, this event promises a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.