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Every year during September and October, tulip season in Tasmania is one of the most spectacular draws to the Cradle Coast.

A tulip farm atop a 12 million year old volcano, Table Cape Tulip Farm features acres of patchwork fields that fly into a rage of color each spring.

Unsurprisingly, people come from all over the world to see this spectacle, and delight in wandering through the farm. In fact, these are the largest tulip fields in the Southern Hemisphere that you can actually wander in.

Colors of Tasmania’s Tulip Season

Wynyard Tulip Festival, Tasmania

Photo: Steven Penton (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr

Table Cape, Tasmania

‘The magnificent plateau of Table Cape is by far Wynyard’s most remarkable natural wonder.’ Sitting at 180 meters high, this extinct volcanic vent dominates the coastline close to Wynyard in Northern Tasmania.

The volcanic soil on the cape grows a variety of crops and is regarded to be the richest agricultural soil in Tasmania. Its dramatic cliffs drop away into the Bass Strait, with Table Cape Tulip Farm perched at the top.

The drive to the top offers truly spectacular views of Tasmania’s coast and agricultural farmlands, though during late September through mid October these transform to showcase a vista of colourful blooming fields.

It’s a lure for photographers, and is one of the most stunning tulip displays in the world.

My Photos From Table Cape Tulip Farm

Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmania’s Tulip Season

Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmania’s Tulip Season

Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmania’s Tulip Season

Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmania’s Tulip Season

Visiting Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmania

A narrow road winds its way up the volcano, and then the entrance to the farm is on your left as you reach the plateau. But after you’ve walked through the tulip fields, don’t leave yet!

If you continue past the farm, the road forks; continue straight and you’ll end at a viewing platform which dangles precariously on the edge of the cliff, with stunning ocean views; turn left and you’ll end at Table Cape Lighthouse, a historic landmark dating back to 1888.

With narrow roads, and active traffic, it’s important to drive carefully, and not pull over to the side of the road. Only park in the designated car spots.

Fields of purple Dutch Iris in the foreground, and vibrant rows of Table Cape tulips in the back is a sight that will leave you breathless. So be sure to add a trip to Wynyard and Table Cape to your itinerary this spring!

Practical Information

Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmania’s Tulip Season

Table Cape is a working farm which operates all year, though the tulips bloom from late September until around mid – late October. 2019 season runs until the end of October.

The farm is open from 9am – 4.30 pm every day, and charges $12 for adults, $10 for seniors / concessions, $8 for students, and children under 16 are free. This is a real farm, so we recommend wearing appropriate footwear.

There are hectares of tulips to walk among, as well as an impressive indoor display featuring floral arrangements, souvenirs, Devonshire teas, an art gallery, potted tulips, cut flowers and information on growing bulbs.

Access to Table Cape itself is free, and you can drive around, visit the lighthouse etc as you please. Wynyard is a 50 min drive from the Spirit of Tasmania port at Devonport, or you can fly direct from Melbourne to Burnie Airport (located in Wynyard) with Regional Express. Table Cape Tasmania tulips. 

If you’re in Tasmania early, and want to know if the tulips are in bloom yet, regular updates are posted on the Table Cape Facebook page. Be sure to share your photos with their page using #tablecapetulipfarm and #cradlecoast before you leave!

Bloomin’ Tulip Festival

Table Cape Tulip Farm Tasmanias Tulip Season

The Bloomin’ Tulip Festival has been running for 25 years, and is a day of festivities in Wynyard for one Saturday each October during the tulip bloom. The town buzzes with activities, food, music, artists and festivities.

The farm is a central part of the festivities, though surprisingly wasn’t overrun with visitors; everyone seemed to be celebrating in town.

So while it may defy regular logic to visit the tulip farm on the day of designated festivities, with everyone else distracted in town, it’s a pretty good time to head to the Cape.

The farm also runs an annual ‘Tunes in the Tulips’ (pictured above), which is a family friendly festival with live music, local produce and kids’ activities right there on the farm.

Things to do in Wynyard

A relaxed seaside town at the mouth of the Inglis River, Wynyard is a popular holiday spot for summer beaches, ocean and river fishing, and lazy drives through picturesque landscapes. Where are tulips in season in Australia. 

For things to do in Wynyard, we recommend renting a car to explore the small villages dotted along country roads behind town. Each drive offers views of beautiful patchworks of green, gold and brown farmland. Tulips Australia. 

Wynyard Tasmania attractions include cafes, shops, and places to stay (choose from campsites, backpackers and riverside motels), as well as the Foreshore Market which runs on the first and third Sunday of every month.

Next to the Tulip farm, we particularly enjoyed Fossil Bluff, which we would recommend visiting on the way down from Table Cape. This is a stunning gold sand beach with green rolling hills to one side, and sheer sandstone cliffs.

The cliffs are over 275 million years old, and offer a rare insight into fossils. You can see and touch several hundred different types of fossils preserved in the rocks. See how many you can find! The tulip festival. 

OUR FAVORITE TASMANIA TRAVEL GUIDES! CLICK TO LOOK INSIDE ↓

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Lonely Planet Tasmania

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Tasmania Amazon

Ultimate Tasmania Tourist’s Guide

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; an online magazine dedicated to opening your eyes to the wonders of the wild & natural world.

Having visited 50+ countries across all seven continents, Megan’s travels focus on cultural immersion, authentic discovery and incredible journeys. She has a strong passion for ecotourism, and aims to promote responsible travel experiences.

    

Tasmania flower festival. Tulip festival Australia. Tulip festival dates. 

    39 Comments

  1. Never realized Tasmania has Keukenhof grade tulips. Absolutely stunning to say the least. Just compared the pics with the ones in Amsterdam, both look pretty amazingly colourful!

    • Glad we could tell you about the Tulip farm, yes, Tasmania has an incredible tulip season, and Van Diemen Quality Bulbs are the producers who grow them (+ Liliums and Dutch Iris). They produce incredible tulips!

  2. I didn’t realise that the field was the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. I love the different rows of colours, they’re absolutely stunning. The volcanic soil in New Zealand is also very rich in nutrients.

    • I didn’t either! But it’s huge! Will have to get over to NZ to check out some of the agriculture at some stage too :)

  3. OMG that is gorgeous! I had no idea Tasmania even had a tulip season, never mind that this is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere! I would love to visit during this time and take tons of photos!

    • We do indeed! And the Table Cape farm is massive – it’s very cool! Hope you have the chance to travel next spring :)

  4. That’s amazing. The only place I associate with those fields of tulips is the Netherlands. Beautiful photos though. If I ever get to Tasmania I will have to hope it is during the Tulip season so I can visit Wynyard

    • Table Cape can definitely give the Netherlands a run for their money! Hope you do have the chance to visit next Spring, it’s a really beautiful region and a great way to spend an afternoon :)

  5. Wow, those are stunning flowers. I went to the tulip festival in Amsterdam a few years ago, but I feel like the colors in Tasmania are a bit better. Must be that great volcanic soil!

    • Table Cape can definitely give Amsterdam a run for their money! Some of the most beautiful rows of tulips I’ve seen :) The farm has done an amazing job.

      Hope you have the chance to travel next spring!

  6. wow this is beautiful! I ilve in the Netherlands so am no stranger to tulip fields, but I had no idea that Tasmania also boasted them!

    • We do indeed! Van Diemen Quality Bulbs are the producers who grow them (+ Liliums and Dutch Iris). They produce incredible tulips & I reckon they definitely give the Netherlands a run for their money :D

      Hope you have the chance to visit Northern Tas next Spring!

  7. I didn’t realize that Tasmania was so famous for its tulips but I can see why it is! The Bloomin’ Tulip Festival sounds like fun, I’d love to visit for that. Fossil Bluff would be fascinating to see as well.

    • Hope you have the chance to visit Tasmania soon!

  8. Wow! Very beautiful!

    • They are indeed! Glad you enjoyed the post!

  9. The flowers were all amazing! This is such a discovery in Tasmania.
    I’m sure the tulips were all fascinating.

    • Absolutely, it’s a stunning time of year! Hope you have the chance to visit one upcoming spring.

  10. wow I can’t get over the colour of those tulips! It sounds like you found the perfect spot for these pictures even If you didn’t get to visit the farm itself. I didn’t know much about the tulip season in Tasmania so its a great add on for a to do list in the area.

    • Aren’t they stunning! So vibrant! Absolutely, we got a great spot for photos – next year we’ll have to go into the farm ourselves – have seen some awesome shots on Instagram of the tulips close up, so kicking myself for not going in!

  11. When I think of tulip season the Netherlands is the destination that comes to mind, but Tasmania looks like an amazing tulip destination! Not to mention the amazing view from atop the volcano! Wonderful! You guys really did get the perfect view from that driveway. $12 is also not a bad price for such a gorgeous stroll.

    • A lot of people have mentioned the Netherlands, I’m a little bias being Tasmanian myself, but Table Cape can definitely give the Netherlands a run for their money!! Pretty amazing view from the top of the volcano for sure :)

      $12 is amazing value. Hope you have the chance to visit one of these springs!

  12. I have been to Holland Keukenhof during Northern Hemispehere summer and have been thinking that I have seen it all. Your article has just proved it wrong. Table Cape in Tasmania is just what makes Tulip available all the year around in the world . I have been to Australia but never to Tasmania yet :( . Got to plan…

    • Perfect excuse to revisit Australia, and include Tasmania on the itinerary next time! Yes, with opposite seasons you could definitely follow the Tulips from the Northern hemisphere to the South. Hope to see you in Tas one of these spring seasons!

  13. Oh my what beauty!

    • Gorgeous aren’t they!

  14. Nice post Megan. Enjoyed reading it & your photos turned out great.

    • Thanks Adam! It was so fab meeting you over the weekend!

  15. Beautiful flowers- and a trip that is far closer to home than your normal essay!

    • Absolutely, only a 2 hour drive for me so a pretty fab day trip :)

  16. Your photos are stunning; the flowers are magnificent! I thank you for sharing a little history about the farm and its surrounding areas. I know so little about this corner of our world.

    • Thanks Trish! I hope you’ll have the chance to visit Tasmania at some stage soon :)

  17. Who doesn’t love Tulips ? ? Especially a Tulip Farm atop a 12 million year old volcano ? Wow … How does it feel to be atop a 12 million year old any mountain?

    • Thankfully it’s not an active volcano so definitely no worries about being on top of it there :D

  18. We also have similar Tulip Garden in Kashmir…they are in full bloom in the month of April.

    • Sounds fabulous! I’ll have to plan a visit one year :)

    • You are most welcome. You will really fall in love with this land also known as Heaven on Earth.

  19. Very blessed to have this in my home town, they are simply stunning. Thank for your showcasing our wonderful tulips in your lovely blog.

    • You’re welcome Julie! We lived in Northern Tas near Deloraine for a number of years, and it’s asbolutely our favorite region :)

      We hope to return again this year!

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