With people increasingly living their lives at a faster pace, the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of city life can undoubtedly bring welcome relief.
Organisers of the 2018 Tesselaar Tulip Festival have created the opportunity to do exactly that, with a few magical surprises in store for both children, and the child within us all.
Kicking off today at the Dandenong Ranges, over a month it will be home to a rainbow of 900,000 tulips spread out across five acres.
This year’s theme is centred around Tulips in Wonderland.
The program features live entertainment, a local and international food market, and children’s activities to keep the young ones enthralled.
In celebration of the origin of the tulip in Turkey, the event will have a Turkish twist this weekend, featuring Turkish performers, music, folk dancing, belly dancers, cultural and artistic displays, along with a selection of Turkish foods to try.
Next week, from 17 to 20 September, the festival will take on a particularly magical feel for Wonderland week. Inspired by the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, Alice and the White Rabbit will make an appearance with story performances.
The week will come to an end with a special Dutch weekend from 21 to 23 September, with musicians, dancers, games, and delicious delicacies to try.
Superhero Children’s week follows on from 24 to 27 September, where the little ones have the chance to meet PJ Masks’ Catboy, Gekko, and Owlette. They will put on fun shows, along with animal petting zoos, and craft activities. There will even be giant garden games set up and a chance to catch a ride on a tractor.
On 28 to 30 September, the festival will take on a different feel with the Food, Wine and Jazz weekend. To accompany the food on offer, there will be an array of award-winning local beers and wines available to try, while enjoying jazz performed by local bands.
Meanwhile organisers have the second week of school holidays covered. Get Active Week from 1 to 4 October will feature two daily shows of Peter Rabbit, storytelling, and a trip down fairy hollow.
This will take the event into its Irish weekend, from 5 to 7 October – think Irish pipers, dancers, Celtic arts, Irish coffee – a cocktail of hot coffee, whiskey, and sugar topped with thick cream – beers, and even a few Leprechauns.
The festival will conclude with Tulipmania week from 8 – 14 October, which will be the last chance to walk through the tulips until next year.
The 2018 Tesselaar Tulip Festival runs until 14 October at Tesselaar Flower Farm (357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan, VIC). Visit the website for daily updates, ticketing information and full program of events: tulipfestival.com.au or call (03) 9737 7722.