Ballarat Begonia Festival
Running across the March long weekend, this floral showcase features renowned gardeners, chefs, eco-thinkers and a massive interactive numbat.
Overview
Fancy a frolic in the flowers before colder weather arrives? The Ballarat Begonia Festival is just the place, with the Ballarat Botanical Gardens featuring three days of begonias, sustainability and community good vibes from March 8–10. Throughout the festival, visitors can expect a host of free activities, entertainment and educational experiences for all ages.
Headlining this floral extravaganza in 2025 is The Last Numbat – a large-scale, interactive performance installation controlled by 14 people at a time. Sharing a message of connection, community and environmental awareness, this is the first time the enormous marionette will be presented on Australia's east coast.
Also on the program is a who's who of environmental educators, eco-conscious chefs and award-winning gardeners. Everyone's favourite green thumb Costa Georgiadis will bring his infectious enthusiasm for sustainable gardening, while admired horticulturalist Millie Ross will share her unconventional approach to gardening. Plus, lauded local chef Liam Downes showcases his paddock-to-plate philosophy, highlighting the region's culinary delights.
Beyond the main stage, a special begonia display features more than 500 rare and unique varieties, the Garden of Giggles offers free puppet and comedy shows for kids, and the gardeners' market reveals a treasure trove of plants, flowers and garden gifts. Of course, there's also a great selection of food trucks, plus refreshing drinks served from The Boronia Bar.
Information
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