The Dandenong Ranges are spectacular at any time but the Tesselaar Tulip Festival brings a whole new meaning to it with fields of tulips in bloom. The landscape is painted with colour like a rainbow, truly amazing for children and adults alike.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Tesselar Tulip Festival, it's an annual event that attracts thousands of people from around the country, both for the tulips and the entertainment provided.
In 1939, Cees and Johanna Tesselaar arrived in the Dandenong Ranges from Holland, they came with a love of tulips and created a mini Holland that soon grew to become a festival with the first being held in 1954, what started small has now become a major Victorian calendar event that grows year by year.
This years festival will be held between September 12th till October 8th and will include many special days within the festival, such as:
Turkish Weekend September 13th - 15th
Seniors Week September 16th - 19th
Dutch Weekend September 20th - 22nd
Children's Days September 23rd -26th and September 30th October 3rd
Food, Wine and Jazz Weekend September 27th - 29th
Irish Weekend October 4th - 6th
The children's days have a full program to keep littlies amused that includes children's singer and entertainer Paul Jamieson, face painting, animal farm, snake reptile zoo, balloonist, sand wizard, fairy Monica, the Mik Maks and much more. Some of the activities cost extra.
For a full list of the children's days and other programs have a look at the
Tesselaar Tulip Festival website for a comprehensive run down on all events and activities.
Tickets are on sale now or can be purchased at the gate, the cost for admission is adults $20, concession $17 and group tickets of 10 are available online with a discount. Cash, eftpos, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at the gate.
How to get there:
If you're driving the tulip festival is at Teselaars 357 - 359 Monbulk Rd Silvan. Melway reference map page 123 B5, located 40 km East of Melbourne.
Public transport:
From Melbourne board the Lilydale train, at the Lilydale station catch the Tesselaar shuttle bus that departs 5 minutes after the train arrives.
This service is available on Saturday's and Sunday's and cost $3 for the shuttle bus return.
Monday - Friday catch the 663 bus from the Lilydale train station to the Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
All pictures are courtesy of Tesselaar's.
Enjoy the Tesselaar Tulip Festival.
