In The Garden WITH BROWNIE
The Sunshine Coast wildflower festival is on again this month, and you’re invited to go wild for wildflowers. The wildflower festival is an annual event to celebrate the beautiful display of spring wildflowers on the Sunshine Coast.
The festival was born in 1967 by Kathleen McArthur, a Caloundra artist, author, environmentalist, and founding member of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. Since its humble beginnings, the festival has grown each year with the support of local community groups hosting activities.
The wildflower festival – running from Saturday 16 August to Sunday 31 August 2025 – provides public guided walks and activities across the Sunshine Coast. From Bribie Island to Noosa National Park, people can immerse themselves in nature and discover the diversity of native, flowering plants in our local environment.
You can join in a diverse program of guided walks, talks, and nature experiences, led by passionate local experts and environmental groups. Whether you’re a keen botanist or just love getting out in nature, there’s something for everyone.
You can wander through the wallum; do some bird watching; take an afterdark walk looking for night creatures; learn about wildflower gardening; or take a guided walk through one of many bushland reserves and National Parks. Events range from free to low-cost and cater to all ages and abilities.
If you want to explore solo, there is a self-guided tour brochure you can download and use to discover 10 local trails at your own pace. The easiest way to find out about all the events, details, the trails brochure, and a wallum wildflower identification brochure as well, is by going to the Sunshine Coast Council website festival page – www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/environment/education-resources-and-events/wildflower-festival.
Here’s a taster of the more events on offer:
- Montane heath of Rupari Hill, Beerwah (August 16)
- Wildflower walk in the Mooloolah River National Park (August 20)
- Flora and fauna of the Mooloolah River National Park (August 22)
- Wildflower walk in Scientific Area 1, Beerwah (August 28)
- Wet heath and wallum woodland wildflowers of the Beerwah Scientific Zone, Beerwah (August 30)
- Wildflowering with a botanist in Mooloolah River National Park (August 30)
But there’s another 30 or so events you can check out across the coast – just head to the Council webpage to find out more. As always though, places are limited, so you’ll need to book through the webpage to reserve your spot.
And it is possible for you to grow many of the wildflowers you will see in your gardens (or something very similar). Best piece of advice is to check out one of our local native nurseries – Forest Heart ecoNursery in Coral Street Maleny, Mooloolah River Landcare Nursery on Steve Irwin Way Glenview, or Barung Landcare Community Nursery on Porters Lane Maleny.
