Discovering the Renmark Rose Festival
Flower lovers unite in South Australia.
What is it?
Only the largest festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Now in its 23rd year, the Renmark Rose Festival runs for 10 days and is held in different towns all across the Riverland region along the Murray River. Its centred around the town of Renmark, which is home to 51 garden beds and more than 3,500 immaculately-tended rose bushes. And despite the name, it’s about much more than just roses – the festival is a celebration of the region’s best produce, multicultural communities and excellent hospitality.
What events are there?
Rather than a set schedule of events, many local businesses put on special programs or showings for the duration of the festival. Visit Ruston’s Roses, the largest rose garden in the country, learn about the region’s history at small museums, take a cruise along the river, enjoy a candlelight supper in the rose gardens or follow a self-guided art trail through local galleries and studios. The Renmark Rose Festival Fair is held on the first Saturday and has lots of stalls selling food, produce, arts and crafts, and plants. One of the best parts of the festival is the Riverland Open Gardens. People open their private gardens to members of the public, inviting them in to look at all their hard work for just a gold coin donation (much of which goes to charity). Participating gardens will have a special sign out the front or you can download the full list from the festival’s website.
When is it?
The festival is held on the third weekend of October each year. This is the best time to experience the spring blooms in the region. The 2017 Renmark Rose Festival will be held from October 20 to 29.
Where is it?
The town of Renmark is in the Riverland region of South Australia. It is around 250 kilometres northeast of Adelaide and sits on the banks of the Murray River.
Have you ever been to the festival?