Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: Everything You Need to Know
If you love flowers, gardens, and all things green, then the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is an event you won’t want to miss!
Held in the stunning Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens, this world-class Melbourne flower show is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
Related reading: Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade Tour
When is the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show 2025?
The Melbourne Flower and Garden Show will run daily from Wednesday, 26 March, to Sunday, 30 March 2025.
What to Expect at the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show
From breathtaking floral displays to cutting-edge garden designs, this Melbourne Garden Show offers something for everyone. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Spectacular Show Gardens – Designed by Australia’s leading landscapers, these immersive gardens provide endless inspiration for your own outdoor space.
- Floral Art Displays – The Royal Exhibition Building will be bursting with colour, featuring incredible floral sculptures and arrangements from top florists.
- Expert Gardening Advice – Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, you’ll find plenty of tips and tricks from industry experts.
- Workshops & Demonstrations – Learn about sustainable gardening, floral arranging, and the latest trends in landscape design.
- Retail Stalls – Browse a variety of garden products, plants, homewares, and artisan goods.
- Food & Entertainment – Enjoy gourmet food trucks, live music, and relaxing garden spaces to unwind.
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Melbourne Flower Show Event Details
Dates: Wednesday 26 March – Sunday 30 March 2025
Location: Royal Exhibition Building & Carlton Gardens, Melbourne
Tickets: Now on sale! Visit the official website to secure your spot.
Tips for Visiting the Melbourne Flower and Garden Show
- Plan Your Visit – Arrive early to beat the crowds, especially if you want to explore the show gardens and floral displays at a relaxed pace.
- Toilets Are Better Than Expected! – The portaloos are surprisingly spacious and well-ventilated. There are also toilets inside the Royal Exhibition Building, but expect longer queues.
- Find Your Space – It gets busy, but the paths and gardens offer plenty of room to step aside, take a break, and soak it all in at your own pace.
- Food is Tasty but Pricey – There’s a great selection of food trucks, but prices can be high. Bringing your own lunch and just buying drinks, snacks, or dessert is a smart option.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes – The show has been set up with flooring and matting for wheelchair access, but many surfaces are still a bit rough—it’s a garden, after all! Supportive shoes will keep you comfortable as you explore.
- Book Tickets in Advance – Avoid queues and secure the best price by purchasing online before you go. Seniors card holders can access the concession rate of $35 (plus booking fees).
- Don’t Rush! – Take your time exploring, join a workshop, and chat with the exhibitors—you might pick up some great gardening tips!
- Stay Hydrated – There are water refill stations around, so bring a reusable bottle to stay refreshed throughout the day.
- Dress for the Occasion – Embrace the floral theme! A fun floral outfit makes for great photos, and there are plenty of picturesque spots to capture the moment.
- Pack a Trolley or Bag – You may want to take home beautiful plants and unique garden accessories.
Discounted Tickets & Important Ticketing Information
For the best value, purchase your tickets online in advance to secure the lowest price and avoid missing out. If you’re looking for a deal, consider an Afternoon Show Entry ticket, which allows entry after 1pm on Wednesday and Friday or after 5pm on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
A few key things to keep in mind:
- Concession tickets are available for Centrelink-issued Pensioner Concession Card holders (valid cards will be checked upon entry).
- Additional experiences (such as workshops or special events) require a separate ticket and do not include Show entry.
- No multi-day tickets – if you want to visit on multiple days, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for each day.
- Children under 16 enter free! (Still book them a ticket with yours.)
If you need assistance purchasing tickets online, support staff will be available at the Victoria Street and Museum entry gates. The event is cashless, so be sure to bring a card or use contactless payment for tickets, food, and drinks.
Diane’s review
On a beautiful day what better thing to do but attend the Flower and Garden show in the Carlton Gardens next to the Majestic Royal Exhibition Building. This event is held every year at the same time.
We entered the venue very easily and quickly despite the amount of attendees. The entrance was adorned by an array of colour, a ferris wheel full of tulips with baskets of many different types and colours of flowers, beneath it. It was a warm day however being under the canopy of the significant tree avenues you were in the shade a good majority of the time.
We saw the most wonderful displays of horticultural expertise, from Boutique Gardens to Border Gardens and Achievable Gardens, something for everyone. Inside the Royal Exhibition Building that is called the Great Hall of Flowers when the show is on was a beautiful Floral Parade and display of Floral artistry. Very talented florists out there.
A feature this year was the ‘Bloom Room’ which was under the Exhibition Building Dome it was amazing seeing the glowing bioluminescent blooms.
The Children were well catered for as well having areas sponsored by Beyond Blue where they could do digging, art activities and games.Montague Farms (every type of apple grown) had free workshops and tasting for the children as well as adults.
If you needed anything for the garden the Retail Precinct had everything you wanted from obviously plants, tools and equipment and garden ornaments aplenty to purchase. Only trick was to get anything you buy home on the train.
The exhibitors had a wealth of information forth coming. My husband received help required to tend to his beloved lawn.There were plenty of food vans on site to cater for all, however the food was expensive. There was also a delightful High tea set up in the Great Hall of Flowers.
The areas around the Lakes and Fountains had a lot of seating set up to have a very peaceful break.It was lovely day and will most certainly go again in the future.
– Diane
Montague Farms at the Melbourne Flower & Garden Show
Awarded ‘Best Visual Display’ in 2024, Montague Farms, in partnership with Foodbank, is back with another exciting lineup of free, educational, and fun workshops for kids! From learning about the journey of an apple in “From Seed to Snack” (Friday 28 March, 11:30am – 12pm) to exploring the science behind apples in “In the Apple Lab” (Friday 28 March, 1pm – 1:30pm), these hands-on experiences are perfect for curious young minds.
Plus, don’t miss their delicious free tastings, including chocolate-dipped apples crafted by Kirsten Tibballs (Thursday 27 March from 6pm) and a cheese and cider pairing featuring Kissabel Apple Cider and Yarra Valley dairy cheese (Saturday 29 March from 6pm). Be sure to stop by for a taste!
Travellers Aid: Making the Event Accessible to Everyone
Travellers Aid is once again supporting the Melbourne Flower Show by providing access and inclusion services for attendees who need assistance. If you or someone you know has mobility challenges, this service will help you get to and around the event comfortably.
Service Hours:
Wednesday 26 March: 8:45am – 4:15pm
Thursday 27 March: 9:45am – 9:15pm
Friday 28 March: 9:45am – 6:15pm
Saturday 29 March: 9:45am – 9:15pm
Sunday 30 March: 9:45am – 5:15pm
Travellers Aid also offers a limited number of manual wheelchairs, scooters, and strollers for daily hire. Pre-bookings close on 25 March 2025 at 5pm AEST. You can book mobility equipment online at travellersaid.org.au.
Getting there
Make your trip to the Melbourne Flower Show as smooth as possible with these transport tips:
- By Tram: Take advantage of Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone, which stops right outside the Carlton Gardens. The closest stop within the Free Tram Zone is Stop 10 (Nicholson St and Victoria Parade). The nearest stop to the entrance is Stop 11 (Melbourne Museum), but this is outside the free tram zone.
- By Train: The closest station is Parliament Station on the City Loop. The Spring/Lonsdale Street exit has lift access and is just a 600m walk to the Victoria Street entrance of the Show.
- By Car: Limited parking is available, so plan ahead. Nearby paid parking options include:
- Melbourne Museum Car Park (Rathdowne Street or Nicholson Street entry)
- Paramount Car Park (163 Exhibition Street, Melbourne)
- Victoria Parade Car Park (90 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne)
- Lygon Street Car Park (204-218 Lygon Street, Carlton)
- Accessible Parking: Limited accessible parking is available on Rathdowne Street. Attendees can receive assistance from their vehicle to the main entry via wheelchair or buggy transfer. Spaces are first come, first served.
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is a highlight on the city’s events calendar, bringing together beauty, creativity, and innovation in one spectacular event. Whether you’re visiting for inspiration, relaxation, or simply to enjoy the stunning surroundings, this flower show in Melbourne promises to be an unforgettable experience.
See you at Australia’s premier flower festival in Melbourne this March!
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