Floriade Nightfest 2014*

*Tonight I, along with other members of Human Brochure and the media, was treated to a preview of Floriade’s Nightfest, which begins tomorrow (Wednesday) night and runs until Sunday, 28 September.

It’s hard to put the experience into words – and the photos don’t really do it justice. Here goes:

For those who are wondering – yep, the tulips are out!

We’re first greeted with seas of tulips bathed in changing colours. It’s hard to tell what colour they actually are!

I said sea, right? I meant it.

The flowers are stunning, but Nightfest wouldn’t be Nightfest without doing something pretty damn special. And that’s this.

It’s Alice in Wonderland-esque. Stunning flowers light up in time to the music as we walk through thick fog – genuinely mesmerising. Each enormous flower is slightly different, and the colour show is so varied – after standing there 15 minutes I can’t spot any repetition. Very special.

The attention to detail actually reminds me of Skywhale

Gorgeous!

We’re not to wander off, but I almost have to be dragged out of this stunning forest. Fortunately, the most beautiful flowers are just outside and their presence is enough to tempt me out.

Towards the lake there are these – lotus flowers? – reflecting wonderfully

Not many things can claim to look as good at night as they do during the day – particularly after a long day at work 🙂

And then there’s entertainment, including some juggling – lit up, of course – but I’m fascinated by these enormous orbs. Yes, they change colour. Yes, I took a thousand photos of all the different colours. You’ll have to see them all for yourself.

Then there’s the piece de resistance – another bed of flowers, surrounded by life-size neon humans, set against a background of the bright ferris wheel.

Canberra’s best photographer (in my opinion) Martin Ollman always goes the extra mile to get the best shots

Good night, Nightfest

In addition to the lights, there’s plenty of stuff for kids and big kids, including comedians and cooking demonstrations. And Philip Jones from The Martini Whisperer is doing Shaken not Stirred. You can check out the program for each night here.

But in all honesty? That Alice in Wonderland-like walk is worth it alone.

(Oh, and there’s free wifi!)

Date: Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Where: Regatta Point, off Commonwealth Avenue

Cost: This was a preview event courtesy of Visit Canberra

Worthwhile factor: Highly worthwhile

Want more? Get tickets here.

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Coming up in Canberra #5 + a giveaway!

Helloooooo, spring! My favourite season. I feel like I spend all winter waiting for spring to arrive, and while a) we haven’t hit the spring equinox quite yet and b) there have been some cold mornings, the glorious days so far have me convinced that we may – may – have even completely missed false spring (please, please).

These next few glorious months call for another Coming up in Canberra. You can read my previous recommendations for the year: #1, #2, #3 and #4.

But first – what did I enjoy of what I recommended last time?

Floriade Nightfest

Floriade is a huge event for Canberra, and while I appreciate all the good it brings for our fair capital, I’m always a little wary. Floriade is synonymous with traffic being backed up down Commonwealth Ave Bridge and Parkes Way thanks to those pesky (but necessary) traffic lights, and it always signals the start of hayfever season for me. But, every time I see Floriade’s Nightfest being advertised, I get more than a little excited. It always looks so other-worldly. Last year was going to be the year I finally went along, but we had a wedding overseas instead. So, as soon as it was announced this year, I booked tickets – and hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed.

A Feast for the Senses

Every year that I’ve lived in Canberra, I’ve always made big plans to attend Floriade Nightfest…. and, every year, something has always come up that has prevented me from going. Yeah, I know – Floriade is the ultimate touristy event to attend, and this blog is meant to be all about exploring Canberra’s lesser-known gems. But this year I was determined to join the masses and smell the roses. Spring seemed like it had well and truly set in for the year, so my friends and I decided to get organised early and buy our tickets in advance. Hmm, perhaps not the smartest move in hindsight…

On the morning of NightFest, we awoke to grey skies and drizzling rain. Gone was the sunshine and warmth of spring that we’d enjoyed over the weekend – suddenly, it felt like the middle of winter again. By mid morning, two of my friends pulled the pin and forfeited their tickets (Floriade doesn’t allow date transfers, unfortunately). Luckily, I still had two others who were willing to brave the inclement weather and accompany me to the event (they probably had the same mentality as me – what a waste of $25 not to go!). So we pulled out our brollies, coats and gloves and braced ourselves for the chilly night ahead.