Step into a floral wonderland this spring as the Southern Highlands’ beloved Tulip Time Festival returns for its 65th year, transforming the heritage-listed Corbett Gardens in Bowral into a sea of colour from Friday 12 September to Monday 6 October 2025.
With over 80,000 hand-planted tulips and spring annuals, Tulip Time is one of Australia’s oldest and most spectacular floral festivals, attracting garden lovers, families, and day-trippers from across the country. The dazzling garden beds —meticulously planted by a dedicated team over five full days in May — create the ultimate celebration of spring.
“With our cool winters and mild springs, the Highlands provide ideal growing conditions for tulips,” says Head Gardener Rod McTernan. “This year’s planting went smoothly, and we’re on track for a breathtaking bloom.”
Visitors will enjoy more than just flowers — daily live entertainment, artisan market stalls, and a charming garden café will fill the gardens with music and movement. The CWA will once again serve up their famous home-baked scones and sandwiches, raising funds for their vital community programs.
New for 2025, Tulip Time will extend its opening hours on Saturdays until 6pm, giving visitors more time to wander the blooms, enjoy a late afternoon performance, or head into Bowral for an early dinner, local wine tasting or live music. For older garden enthusiasts, the festival offers a relaxing day out among world-class horticulture and historic Southern Highlands charm. For young families, it’s a vibrant, sensory-rich experience full of colour, music, and fun photo opportunities — with room to roam and space to picnic under the blossoms.
Tickets are on sale now at www.tuliptime.net.au, with free entry for Wingecarribee Shire residents. Plan your spring escape to the Southern Highlands and experience the bloom at one of New South Wales’ most iconic regional events.
More Southern Highlands Spring Gardens
In addition to the spectacular displays at Corbett Gardens, garden enthusiasts are encouraged to venture further and explore some of the Southern Highlands’ most iconic private and public gardens — one of the key reasons the region was selected as the Australian backdrop for Netflix’s Bridgerton series. These include the grand, European-style Red Cow Farm in Sutton Forest, with its 20 themed garden rooms; the historic and elegant Retford Park, featuring hidden garden rooms and the former home of James Fairfax AC; the sweeping cool-climate beauty of Milton Park, regarded as one of Australia’s finest gardens; and the ever-evolving Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, a 15-hectare space offering year-round seasonal interest and a family-friendly setting. Each garden offers a unique perspective on spring in the Highlands and is the perfect complement to a visit to Tulip Time.
