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.
2025 Tulip Festival Details
2025 Update: It has been a slow start to the tulip season due to unseasonably cooler and wetter weather than usual in Perth, which has extended the festival dates from 3 October as originally planned to 10 October.
I’d say the best time to visit for full blooms is around mid to late September this year.
Opening Hours
The 2025 springtime festival opening hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily (last entry 3.30 pm)
Pricing
2025 ticket prices are summarised below. Note the different pricing for mid-week vs the busier weekend periods.
| Weekend tickets | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays |
| Adult | $40 |
| Concession | $25 |
| Child 13-17 years | $25 |
| Children 12 and under | Free |
| Weekday tickets (Monday to Friday) | |
| Adult | $30 |
| Concession | $20 |
| Child 13-17 years | $20 |
| Children 12 and under | Free |
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.
From Wednesday to Sunday, little ones can also enjoy a trackless train ride through the park – tickets are $10 per seat.
All photos taken in this blog post are from a rainy visit on a Friday in mid-September. 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!
For more day trip ideas, check out my ultimate guide to Perth’s Best Day Trips (with 25+ fun ideas!).
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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 2025 Festival, the Chalet Healy Cafe will be open and serving light bites and takeaway pizza. 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!
Tips & Other Need to Know Info
- 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 throughout 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.
Ideas for 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.
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
If you found this free guide useful, you’ll love my new Western Australia Road Trip & Travel Guide eBook! It’s jam-packed with over 90 pages of useful destination guides, essential tips and custom day-by-day itineraries to make planning your Western Australia adventures a breeze. Check it out here.
