Ballarat Begonia Festival

Overview

This long weekend, swap the big smoke for some colourful blooms and garden-themed fun, with a trip to the Ballarat Begonia Festival. A top-notch excuse to get outta town, the festival returns for its 67th edition from Saturday, March 9 to Monday, March 11.

Green-thumbed folk will be in their element, with a dazzling begonia display in the conservatory, a pop-up market dedicated to gardeners and creatives, and appearances from some TV gardening legends. A historic tram will also be transformed into its own moving floral arrangement — which you can catch a free ride on, too.

Meanwhile, four different stages will play host to a diverse program of live, local tunes, and an all-ages circus drop zone is set to host juggling and uni-cycling workshops, ninja obstacle courses, trapeze performers and more.

Of course, some of Ballarat's best eats and drinks will also be on show across the weekend — sample delights from the likes of Red Duck Brewery, Kilderkin Distillery and Wightwick Wines at the pop-up Begonia Bar, tuck into woodfired slices in the Begonia Courtyard courtesy of The Forge Pizzeria, and browse a huge array of food and produce stalls in between.