Experience the magic of spring with Bloom in the Bendigo region in Victoria. Photos: Supplied.
Experience the magic of spring in the Bendigo region as you stroll, sightsee and rediscover the vibrant beauty of the region’s annual program of events marking the new season.
Bendigo’s Bloom has returned to the thriving regional Victorian city with an outstanding colourful line-up of wine, heritage, art, comedy, outdoor experiences and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Many of the experiences are free.
Throughout September, October and November, visitors to Bendigo, Heathcote and the Loddon Valley can enjoy more than 90 amazing experiences, ensuring spring 2025 is action-packed and one to remember.
Featuring in their 21st year, Bendigo’s 43,000 iconic and stunning blooming tulips are a sight to behold. They are on show across four major inner-CBD locations, such as Rosalind Park and the Conservatory Gardens, from mid-September until early October.
In a celebration of the season’s beauty and a chance to connect with nature, culture and creativity, the region will explode with colour from September to November and include a calendar of unique activities that will feature the famous blooming tulips, The Loddon Valley Arts Festival, Heathcote Wine and Food Festival, Bendigo Agricultural Show, Bendigo Comedy Festival and the Vegecareian Festival at the Great Stupa.
The striking annual Bendigo Tulip Festival is again set to show off nature’s beauty.
Bloom also includes other events, such as wildflower tours, markets, art festivals, and an evening experience: Bloom After Dark.
It is exciting to explore wildflower walks, take in the impressive canola fields in Heathcote or snap a photo at the vibrant yellow floral phone booth in View Street. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and experience the best of spring in Greater Bendigo, with the Bloom schedule now having been extended into the Loddon Valley region.
Program highlights include:
- Village of Gnomes: (15 September – 30 November): Eleven new cheeky, colourful iron-made gnomes hidden in Bendigo’s Canterbury Park Gardens.
- New Larni Garingilang Walking Tour at Botanic Gardens (19 – 20 September) with Djaara guides to explore the indigenous plants, trees and wetlands in the precinct.
- Harvest Moon Festival at the Dai Gum San Precinct (26 September): A day of performances and food in Bendigo’s Dai Gum San Chinese precinct. It expresses gratitude for the bountiful harvest, offering prayers and well wishes for the prosperity and wellbeing of loved ones, and fostering a sense of unity among families and friends.
- Bloom After Dark (26 September – 5 October): An interactive, illuminated trail with creative installations and giant flower displays. Follow the free after-dark trail (6 o’clock – 10 o’clock) and see the beautiful tulip beds illuminated, creative projections and giant flowers.
- Kooyoora Wildflower Tours (26 September and 25 October): Discover native flora in the state park in the Loddon Valley region.
Enjoy the feast at the Vegecareian Festival during Bloom in the Bendigo region.
Other attractions are:
- Bloomin’ Good Market (28 September, 26 October & 2 November): A pop-up market in Rosalind Park — think macarons, honey, jams, brittle, wine, spirits, fresh flowers, coffee, cakes, donuts, pastries, bread and many food trucks.
- Cornella Canola Walk in the Heathcote region (until end of September), where visitors can take in the trail of hundreds of acres of vibrant-coloured canola fields, near Heathcote. After the scenic walk, head over to nearby Shiraz Republic or Cornella Brewery for a tasting experience.
- Bloom activated spaces (throughout the spring months): A bright floral yellow phone booth in Bendigo’s View Street and the famous Bendigo Tram Cafe both adorned with flowing, colourful floral displays.
- Bendigo Comedy Festival (1 – 10 October): Returning for its sixth year — daily comedy shows that will keep the entire family entertained.
- Loddon Valley Arts Festival (3 – 5 October): See venues around Loddon Valley transform into galleries showcasing regional creativity. Visitors are invited to enjoy a unique artistic journey through the Loddon Shire’s charming landscapes.
- Heathcote Wine and Food Festival (4 – 5 October): An iconic festival on the Australian wine calendar and the showcase of the region’s major industry — running annually for more than 17 years.
- Bendigo Wine Week (10 – 19 October): A celebration of the region’s rich winemaking heritage. Over the course of a week, enjoy a range of exciting events, including wine tastings, food pairings and the finale Heritage & Hidden Space Wine Walk.
- Wedderburn Open Gardens (26 October): A chance to see and experience the charm, creativity and unique character of six Wedderburn flourishing gardens.
- Vegecarian Festival (1 November): Held annually at the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion, the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world, this free, fun, family-friendly event is all about loving food, loving animals and loving life!
If help is needed when planning your getaway for Bloom, contact the Bendigo Visitor Centre.
