or signup to continue reading When Bendigo's annual tulip festival began 21 years ago, it was introduced as a means of beautifying the city with this bright flower known for being drought tolerant. How the event has blossomed! In the years since, the free display has continued to draw crowds from near and far, with new off-shoot events also popping up as part of the city's colourful Bloom program. "It started with the tulips and is really expanding to other parklands so we can educate people on what's going on, particularly in spring," says Glenn Harvey, tourism marketing manager at City of Greater Bendigo.
According to Glenn, the tulip display is the city's biggest drawcard during spring, due to take place this year from September 14 to October 6. "Tulips will pop when the weather becomes warmer, but based on history that's when we believe it'll be," Glenn says. The bulk of the display is along Pall Mall and the Conservatory Gardens, with 43,000 tulips filling the beds in an array of sizes and colour.
"What I like about it as well, is it's a nod to that gold mining heritage," Glenn says, noting the European influence peppering Bendigo's architecture. When night falls, the tulip display is flooded with light (6pm - 10pm) for Bloom After Dark, which runs through the school holidays from September 20 to October 6. "Bloom After Dark is the free nighttime experience, where tulip beds will be illuminated, you'll see projections, and this year to celebrate the Year of the Dragon we're illuminating the Chinese Gardens," Glenn says.
Another new experience will take place in the iconic 19th century conservatory. Sonic Bloom is an immersive experience, undertaken predominantly via audio stories, atmospheric sounds and recordings by artistic producer Aimee Chapman. Three concerts will be performed as part of the event, with artists such as Troy Firebrace performing, which will include sound recordings from Bendigo's parks and gardens The Bloomin Good Market will take place next to tulips in Sidney Myer Place on September 29 and October 27, from 9am - 1pm.
Described by Glenn as "a celebration of spring with food", expect stall holders selling fresh produce and flowers, together with food trucks and acoustic musicians. In a quest to showcase Bendigo's other parks, this year's Bloom program also extends to The Canterbury Gardens in Eaglehawk, which will become the Village of Gnomes, while the City of Bendigo's environmental team has put together a free spring in the bush program, which includes events such as a wildflower and wattyl walk, breakfast with the birds at Lake Weeroona, and a look at frogs in Bendigo. For more information, visit .
I've been a lifestyle and features writer for 24 years, covering everything from fashion and beauty, to homes, parenting and travel. Having worked for Text Media, Fairfax Media and now Australian Community Media, these days I attend more kids sports games than fashion parades. I've been a lifestyle and features writer for 24 years, covering everything from fashion and beauty, to homes, parenting and travel.
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