Tesselaar’s KaBloom - Festival of Flowers - Review - Melbourne
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
When we heard that Tesselaar were having a new flower festival in Autumn, we were very excited! We absolutely loved visiting the Tesselaar Tulip Festival in 2016 (you can read our review of that event here) so we couldn't wait to see this new and colourful festival of flowers.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Tesselaar’s KaBloom Festival builds on the history and blooming bonanza in autumn, showcasing over 130,000 plants across 140 garden beds. Held on Tesselaar’s flower farm in the magical Dandenong Ranges with breathtaking views - and selfie opportunities abound - KaBloom is an explosion of colour in nature, with over 1.2 million flowers in bloom across five acres of garden.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
We timed our visit to KaBloom to coincide with Family Fun Days (Tues 3rd - Fri 6th & Mon 9th - Fri 13th April) with free entry for all children plus extra kid-friendly activities and a host of children’s entertainers.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Here is a list of our highlights:
- Tractor Rides
Departing from Tulip Station, a ride in a carriage behind a shiny red tractor was definitely one of the poppets favourite things about the day. They loved travelling through the colourful fields and spotting different things that they could see. Tractor rides are perfect for those who don't wish to walk to the bottom of the fields too. $5pp/$15 family of 4.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
- Flower Maze
Get lost amongst the petunias in this gorgeous flower maze which is ideal for children. Due to restricted access to the main garden beds this year, the maze offers a fantastic opportunity for little ones to get amongst the flowers.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
- Face Painting
Visit the face painting tent and choose from a huge selection of face painting designs. We left with a scary tiger and a sparkly bunny. Super cute! $10pp
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
- Story Telling
Join Tesselaar’s resident fairy in the fairy garden for a special story time. Little ones will love hearing her tales of meeting the Easter Bunny and throwing special fairy dust into the wishing well. Be sure to play in the cubby houses and look out for the secret fairy doors in the gnome garden.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
* Petting Zoo
Animals on the Move petting zoo always offer a fantastic interactive environment for children. You can cuddle a bunny or guinea pig, feed a pig, pat a cow or do as Master Arlo did and kiss a goat!
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
- Live Entertainment
There is fantastic, live family entertainment on every day during Family Fun Days including Ruby Ray & The Funky Monkeys, The Kazoos, Ruccis Circus and The Trash Test Dummies. The poppets enjoyed participating in a fun and interactive African drumming workshop with the team from Full Circle Drumming.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
KaBloom is a fantastic addition to the Tesselaar’s calendar and an absolutely magical place that is perfect to experience with your family. Whether you just wander amongst the gardens and soak in the beauty of the grounds or if you want to enjoy the additional themed activities, attractions and live music on offer during the rest of the season, I highly recommend you visiting Tesselaar’s KaBloom Festival.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Our tips:
- Don’t forget your camera!
- No matter what the weather forecast, pack gumboots (as it’s quite muddy underfoot close to the fields), a change of clothes for the little ones + a hat and sunscreen!
- Pre-purchase your tickets online to avoid the queues. Make sure you print them off at home as mobile tickets will not be accepted.
- Bring extra cash as some of the activities incur a small fee.
- This event is pram friendly, however I wouldn't recommend taking your pram into the fields but there is ample pram parking available around the grounds. The farm is on a bit of a slope, so be sure to hold on tight and use the break when parked!
- There is a designated baby change and feeding area opposite the information centre.
- Bring a picnic to enjoy in the gardens or in one of the many designated picnic areas. There is a large range of food options at festival prices available on site. On the day we visited we didn’t encounter any queues, however with such a delicious selection you may encounter long queues during busy times.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
For more ideas of what to do with the kids in Melbourne, checkout our Website, our Daily Spots List, CBD Spots or Blog.