Despite living in Perth my whole life, I had never visited the lush Araluen Botanic Park for their iconic tulip festival in the Perth Hills. This annual tulip extravaganza is one of a kind in Perth, with the kaleidoscope of coloured velvety petals drawing crowds across the city.
In 2023, I finally timed my visit to be able to experience it for myself – and it didn’t disappoint! However, there are definitely a few things to be aware of before you visit to make the most of your experience. Read on for my guide with all you need to know about visiting the Araluen Tulip Festival.
About the Festival
Held since 1992, Araluen’s Springtime Festival is a sight to behold as over 170,000 tulips bloom to life across the 14 hectares of developed gardens.
Many of the bulbs are planted by an army of volunteers who help bring the festival to life each year.
In addition to the many beds of tulips, there are an estimated 40,000 spring flowering colours, which is mindblowing! I quickly became fascinated by discovering all the different colours, patterns and variations of tulips on display around the park.
2024 Tulip Festival Details
The Tulip Festival is being held from 23 August to 6 October 2024.
You can visit anytime during this period, however the petals may wilt as the weather warms up, so time your visit to go before any hot days on the horizon.
Tip: Keep up to date with the flowering status on Araluen’s Facebook or Instagram pages – they will post updates, and you can view their tagged photos on Instagram by other users which will give an indication of how the tulips are looking in real time.
Opening Hours
9 am to 5 pm daily (last entry 4 pm)
Pricing
2024 ticket prices are summarised below. Note the different pricing for mid-week vs weekends.
| Weekday tickets | |
| Adult | $25 |
| Concession | $15 |
| Child 6-15 years | $15 |
| Family Pass (2 adults & 3 children) | $75 |
| Weekend tickets | (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays) |
| Adult | $35 |
| Concession | $22 |
| Child 6-15 years | $22 |
| Family Pass (2 adults & 3 children) | $90 |
Best Time To Visit
I know it isn’t possible for everyone, but if you can, try to visit mid-week. Not only are tickets cheaper, but it will be a much more relaxed experience.
Weekends get VERY busy – with delays in getting in and out of the park and many more people in attendance. On the flip side, if you do visit during this time, weekends have live entertainment on offer, as well as additional kid entertainment such as face painting.
All photos taken in this blog post are from a rainy visit on a Friday in mid-September of 2023. There had been a spring storm overnight just before our visit, so the tulips were looking a little battered – but on the plus side, there weren’t any crowds!
Araluen Map
Araluen is quite large, so keep the map on hand (provided on entrance) to make sure you find all the tulip spots!
Food Options
For the 2024 Festival, the Chalet Healy Cafe will be open and serving light bites. You’ll also find the Roundhouse Cafe near the main concourse, serving hot coffee and snacks from Thursday to Sunday.
During the Festival, there are also several food trucks scattered around the park (with most of them located on the main Concourse)
What to Bring
- Pack a Picnic: To make a day of it, pack picnic supplies and a rug, and find a patch of grass to settle down on
- Bring Reusable Drink Bottles: potable water is available
- Wear Comfortable Footwear: if you want to explore all the nooks and crannies of the park!
Other Tips
- Most people congregate around the main concourse area (where the food trucks and live entertainment on weekends are). Make sure to explore the upper hilly areas of the park, as there are thick patches of tulips to be discovered!
- A trackless train operates on a scenic 20-minute ride through the park from Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets are $10 per seat, purchased from the driver.
- Dogs are not allowed
- Free Electric BBQs are scattered across the park, as are picnic tables, on a first-come-first-served basis
- Keep an eye out for other scenic displays and photo opportunities scattered amongst the park!
- If you enjoy your visit in spring, consider coming back in Autumn – the park transforms with an explosion of beautiful autumn colours. You can see some photos in my Autumn in Perth guide here.
Other Things to Do in the Area
While you’re in this neck of the woods, consider popping into the nearby Naked Apple Cider House for lunch or a cider tasting.
Raeburn Orchards are also nearby, where you can browse their fresh produce market, take a stroll through the orchard or grab a coffee. Or, swing by Perth’s most classic English pub, the Last Drop Elizabethan, for a hearty feed and pint.
Final Thoughts
The annual Tulip Festival is one of Perth’s few flower festivals, but it certainly doesn’t disappoint. I think everyone in Perth should visit at least once to see the vivid display of tulips in bloom, and enjoy the stunning natural attraction that’s only 45 minutes from the CBD.
If you’re looking for more ideas of things to do around Perth, or tips for making the most of your visit to Western Australia, check out my other travel guides below. If you’re visiting Perth in September, consider taking a day trip to York to see the fields of golden canola.
If you have any questions, feel free to share them in my Western Australia Road Trips Facebook group.
More Perth Guides:
- 23 Ideas for the Best Day Trips from Perth
- 15 Fun & Unique Things to Do in Mandurah
- Perth to the Pinnacles: How to Plan the Ultimate Day Trip
- Ultimate Perth Itinerary: Fun 3, 5 and 7 Day Itineraries
- A Local’s Guide to the 8 Best Perth Jacaranda Spots
- Rottnest Island Day Trip: Perfect One Day Itinerary
- Western Australia Wildflowers Guide: When + Where to See Them