Spring is here, and with that comes some beautiful blooms, including cherry blossoms.
Grown mainly as an ornamental, the blossoms appear in late winter primarily as single-petal displays in dark red, pink or white and have a light fragrance. Some leaves are red or deep purple, almost black.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Cherry blossoms typically bloom across Australia during spring (September–November), though timing varies by region and weather.
- NSW: Auburn Botanic Gardens, Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens, Cowra Japanese Garden, and Hunter Valley Gardens are top spots.
- Victoria: Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens, Mount Macedon’s open gardens, and CherryHill Orchard’s Blossom Festival are worth visiting.
- ACT: Canberra Nara Peace Park and the nearby Beijing Gardens both host cherry blossom displays each spring.
Cherry blossom trees can grow in Australia. While the iconic cherry blossom trees native to Japan (Prunus serrulata) might not thrive in all parts of Australia due to differing climate conditions, there are varieties of cherry blossom trees that can be successfully grown in certain regions of the country.
What is cherry blossom month?
So when is the best time to see cherry blossoms in Australia?
Cherry blossom month in Australia varies depending on the specific region and climate. In most parts of Australia, cherry blossoms typically bloom in spring, from September to November. However, the exact timing can be influenced by local weather conditions, the variety, and the location within Australia.
In colder regions, the blossoms might appear later in the season. It’s advisable to check with local botanical gardens, horticultural experts, or cherry blossom festivals in your area for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the blooming period.
Where to see cherry blossoms in Australia
Here is a list of places you can see cherry blossoms in Australia.
New South Wales
The Auburn Botanic Gardens hosts an annual Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the beautiful cherry blossoms tree. The festival runs from Saturday, August 22 to Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Further south, The Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens boasts 20 blossom trees along the Spring Walk.
The streets around Leura and Katoomba also come alive with cherry blossoms in spring.
Dubbed the best cherry blossoms in Australia, the Cowra Japanese Garden is worth a visit, especially in September at the Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival. This festival takes place on Saturday 26 September 2026.
The Hunter Valley Gardens is also home to cherry blossoms in the beautiful Oriental Garden; the design is based on traditional Japanese and Korean botanical features. The blossoms bloom from the start of October, but can appear earlier depending on the weather.
Victoria
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens in Olinda feature hundreds of trees that look very impressive in full bloom.
The open gardens of Mount Macedon, such as Forest Glade and Tieve Tara, are also the perfect place to witness cherry blossoms.
Head to Woodend, Kyneton and Daylesford, and wander the streets to view the blossoms when they are in full bloom.
CherryHill Orchard in the beautiful Yarra Valley holds a Blossom Festival each spring. This year it is from September 18 – 4 October 2026.
ACT
Yes, cherry blossoms do grow in Canberra. Canberra Nara Peace Park is the home of the October 26, 2026, annual Canberra Nara Candle Festival. It features a small Japanese-themed garden and several iconic cherry blossom trees.
Close by, the Beijing Gardens are also home to cherry blossoms, which tend to bloom quite early in the season.
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