From enchanting tulip displays to wildflower reserves, colourful blooms are the surest hint that spring is on its way. And if you live in Sydney, you know this means cherry blossom season is around the corner. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in these pretty pink blooms, there are plenty of places in and around Sydney that should do the trick including a dedicated garden in the west but if you don’t mind a drive out, there’s one place in particular that won’t disappoint.
Nestled on the banks of the Lachlan River is the unassuming town of Cowra with heritage walks, tranquil green spaces, and boutique eateries. It is perhaps best known for being home to the largest Japanese garden in the southern hemisphere and spring is the perfect time to plan a visit thanks to its dedicated cherry blossom festival called Sakura Matsuri. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming festival.
Sakura Matsuri – Cherry Blossom Festival, Cowra
Cowra Japanese Garden sprawls over 12.5 acres, an expanse filled with serene waterfalls, streams, manicured hedges, lakes, and more. The biggest cultural centre of its kind in all of Australia, the expansive landscape is made better with seasonal blooms that include apricot, apple, and plum blossoms along with lovely magnolia. The scene is so breathtaking that the gardens have an annual cherry blossom festival to commemorate the changing seasons and celebrate traditional Japanese culture.
Set to take place in late September this year in the middle of peak cherry blossom season, the festival will include music, dance, arts and crafts, tea ceremonies, bonsai workshops and much more along with traditional food and drink on site and plenty of fun-filled activities for children. Visitors can also further enjoy a taste of Japanese culture with Taiko drummers, sumo wrestlers, Japanese archery and sword demonstrations.
All of this will be set against a backdrop of pretty blossoms and cherry-lined trails with pops of white and pink generously sprinkled across the garden. While Sakura Matsuri is celebrated over one jam-packed day in September, it is worth noting that cherry blossom season lasts between late September to mid-October so you could plan a visit anytime to enjoy the mosaic of colour. Head here for more info about the garden and book your tickets on the official website.
When is the best time to visit?
The garden is lovely to visit all year round and showcases the best of each season for visitors. Seasonal blooms like azalea, camellia, and wisteria can be seen in spring with cherry blossoms being the star of the show while autumn is a great time to visit for rich foliage views.
Key details
When: Saturday, September 28
Where: Cowra Japanese Garden, Ken Nakajima Pl, Cowra NSW 2794
Time: 10am to 4pm
Pet friendly: No