5 reasons you don't want to miss Floriade 2017

Canberra's fabulous flower show known as Floriade will transform the nation's capital this Spring as the city bursts into bloom for the festival's 30th anniversary year. Here are five reasons you need to celebrate Australia's premier spring celebration.

There will be surprises around every corner
This year's Floriade will feature amazing works of art that are set to transform Canberra’s Commonwealth Park. The masterpieces have been created by a mix of local and national talent, using everything from natural stone through to repurposed plastic. There will also be amusement park rides designed to give visitors a bird's eye view of the flowers.

The inaugural twilight concert will celebrate this year's 30th anniversary of Floriade.

This year's celebration will include an inaugural twilight concert
To celebrate three decades of being in bloom, this year's Floriade will include an open air musical performance by The David Bowie Tribute band, which is to supported by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. This ticketed event offers an exclusive opportunity for visitors to see the 2017 flowerbed designs before the gates officially open the next morning.

A walk of art... Floriade will explode in a riot of colour to mark the change of seasons in 2017

Floriade embraces four-legged fun
On Saturday, October 14, dog lovers will be able to bring along their four-legged friends as Floriade's popular Dogs' Day Out returns.  

There will be so much to see and do for children at this year's Floriade 2017.

Kids will be kept happy
Floriade offers something for the whole family in 2017 with an impressive roster of activities for children designed to encourage them to stop and smell the tulips, explore, discover and play. The kiddie-friendly activities on offer include hands-on cooking demonstrations and circus workshops.

Floriade is a celebration that will surprise and delight the entire family.

This year's Floriade 2017 will be held from September 16 until October 15 at Commonwealth Park, Canberra. Visit floriadeaustralia.com for more details

Taste of Coogee a trifecta of treats

Sample a Taste of Coogee at the annual epicurean event.                  Image: Supplied

Spring is about forgoing the duvet in favour of a feather boa, avoiding vicious magpies and admiring pretty blossoms in the garden. If Spring had a mantra it would be 'to see and be seen' and nothing will make you want to press 'eject' from your winter bunker more than the Taste of Coogee festival in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

As well as offering punters the triple whammy that is food, wine and ocean views, this year's free food and wine festival - held on September 20 from 10am to 6pm at the Goldstein Memorial Reserve - will create a moving tribute to the late cricketing legend and sports commentator Ritchie Benaud. Funds raised on behalf of Benaud will go toward the ongoing construction of the $100 million development of the Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, to be completed in October, 2016.

Coogee Pavilion will pop up at the Taste of Coogee festival.                                        Image: Supplied

Another highlight of this year's event is a cooking demonstration by world-renowned chefs Geoff Jansz and Tony Bilson. Punters can also purchase a $20 package to sample one of the many award-winning beers and wines from Brown Brothers, Sydney Brewery, Petersons Champagne House, Wild Oats Barefoot and Twisted River wines.   

Little Jack Horner will be one of the local restaurants doing what it does best at Taste of Coogee.            Image: Supplied

On the food front, visitors can taste the best of the best in local cuisine from local restaurants such as Coogee Pavilion, Little Jack Horner and La Spiaggia. Mixologist Jason Crawley, of the Drinks Cabinet, will also be inspiring the consumption of cocktails and discussions on drinks to the tune of sunny beats being dropped on the beach by the Martini Club and the John Field Band.

Taste of Coogee Festival also includes live music such as The Martini Club.         Image: Supplied

The festival takes place in a sprawling outdoor space right by the sea and parents will be pleased to know the Fun with Franky show will keep the kids happy while they enjoy the communal vibe at Coogee. Finish on a cheesy note when you sniff out that food made from pressed curds of milk at the Hunter Valley Cheese Company.

WHEN: September 20, 2015
WHERE: Goldstein Memorial Reserve, Coogee Beach
TIME: 10am-6pm
ENTRY: Free. Food and wine tokens cost $20 for four, with all proceeds going to the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation, Ritchie Benaud Fund.

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