‘‘Art in Bloom’’ is the theme for Floriade 2024, which is back in Canberra’s Commonwealth Park from Saturday, 14 September, to Sunday, 13 October. Photos: Supplied.
Hans Christian Andersen said: “Just living is not enough … one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
If that’s the case, then what will one million blooms do to Canberra’s Commonwealth Park?
Obviously … it will put a spring in your step as Floriade returns for its 37th year of celebration in 2024.
The spectacular, sprawling 34.25-hectare park, adjacent to Lake Burley Griffin, will be transformed into a vibrant canvas of colour and creativity for Australia’s biggest celebration of spring from Saturday, 14 September. There will also be 300,000 bulbs and annuals in community flower beds around the city. For more than 30 days, art will be in bloom until 13 October.
This year’s diverse program, with an ‘‘Art in Bloom’’ theme, will offer horticultural and artistic workshops, cultural celebrations, art exhibitions, entertainment, market traders, recreational activities and more.
Being the largest flower festival in the Southern Hemisphere, the whole production behind Floriade is fascinating.
Floriade’s head gardener Tim Howard shares the ingenuity behind the orchid festival, and how it all comes together.
Floriade head gardener Tim Howard.
“It does seem like a never-ending show, there’s a lot of groundwork that goes into it,” Tim explains.
“All the plants – half bulbs and half annual flowers – are planted by hand, and it’s a lot of work. It does take a lot of TLC to reliably grow as many flowers as you see here at Floriade. It’s a continuous show, a one-year show from design, like concept, through to what you see in the park – it takes about 14 months.
“We’re in August right now and we’re starting to plan out concepts for next year’s show. This year’s show hasn’t opened yet. The clock seems to be always ticking. It seems quite magical when you arrive at Floriade … everything you see at Floriade is grown here in the park during the main planting season from March through to July.”
Organisers are “always looking for enthusiastic and passionate people to join us at Floriade”, so get involved and become a part of the Floriade family. Become a volunteer.
Art will come to life and there will be something for everyone to enjoy. NightFest will return with an exciting program of after-dark entertainment, illuminating the horticultural displays at Commonwealth Park over four nights from 3-6 October. Take your furry friends for a fun walk among the flowers for the annual Dogs’ Day Out on the final day of Floriade, Sunday, 13 October.
Entry to Floriade is free and sightseers can take a piece of Floriade home with them by grabbing some bulbs and supporting local charities. Floriade closes with the traditional Great Big Bulb Dig, on Monday, 14 October. Live life in full bloom!
The Old Chaff Mill Organic Vineyard Retreat is a luxury boutique accommodation in South Australia’s premier wine region — McLaren Vale.
South Australia
History “comes alive” when you stay at South Australia’s Old Chaff Mill Retreat, which is nestled among organic shiraz vineyards where the Sellicks foothills meet the ocean. The retreat dates back to the mid-19th century, when it provided grains and chaff to bullock teams as they hauled their mighty loads across the picturesque countryside.
Moving from entertainment to hospitality, owners Bernice Devereaux and Richard Jasek are “absolute dreamers” who fell in love with the “incredibly rundown property”.
Richard has worked as a television producer and director on iconic shows ranging from Neighbours to McLeod’s Daughters, and Bernice has transitioned from costume designer to beauty therapist.
They converted a decrepit 1870s stone granary into a luxury, two-suite property in the Sellicks Hill region of McLaren Vale. The bed-and-breakfast has been open for four years, but Richard said it took eight years to start and six years to build, and every effort had been made to preserve “150 years of that story”.
There are two fully self-contained luxury suites, The Millery and The Granary, both offering sweeping views over a tranquil montage of vineyards and olive and almond groves. An onsite spa was converted from an old dairy.
Gutted by fire a century ago, the building is now reborn as an architecturally designed masterpiece with a modern fitout celebrating its rich past. Richard and Bernice have reprocessed as much of the original building as possible, and added contemporary conveniences. Some interesting environmental initiatives have been actioned, with every effort to keep a low carbon footprint.
The hosts have displayed a determined vision, resourceful imagination and heritage sensitiveness. Just a 45-minute drive from Adelaide and providing easy access to Silver Sands Beach 3.9 kilometres away, this luxury B&B thrives because it’s wrapped with stories that keep a bygone era flourishing.
