The Beginning

Tulip Time had its beginnings in 1958, when a group of community citizens met to organise a festival to publicise the town of Bowral.

Floral and other festivals were 'all the rage' half a century ago in country areas.

Local people took advantage of the opportunity to organise festivities to bring a focus to the community, to attract tourists and travelers, and generally to introduce some gaiety into life.

A number of such festivals existed in the Southern Highlands and Tablelands in the past, but only Tulip Time has stood the test of the years.

2001 marked the 40th anniversary of the official Bowral Tulip Time - one of Australia's largest floral garden festivals.

The First Festival

The first festival was held in 1958 with contributions by local councillors, service, sporting, and cultural clubs, and church community representatives.

The week long festival included the usual municipal events: a Queen of the Festival competition; a street parade of decorated floats; musical and dramatic offerings; and a Mayoral Ball.

What made this festival different, however, was the planting of 15,000 tulips in a "tulip walk" in Corbett Gardens, the municipal garden in the centre of Bowral.

A garden competition was also held, which attracted 79 entries.

It was from these latter small beginnings that the famous Bowral Tulip Time evolved.

Bowral Tulip Time 1961

In 1961, the Rotary Club of Bowral adopted a project of beautification for Bowral by donating thousands more tulip bulbs for Corbett Gardens (provided by Rotary and other donors, planted by Bowral Council).

In the same year the festival officially changed its name to Bowral Tulip Time.

Since then, an annual festival has been held in spring (September to October).

Its central focus is on displays of tulips and other blossoms which flourish in the cooler climate of the Highlands, and which people living in warmer areas in Australia would not normally experience.

Open Gardens

Corbett Gardens is not the only venue to admire during Tulip Time.

Gardening and landscaping has been a feature of the Highlands since early this century, where the distinct four seasons encourage the bountiful displays of nature.

In the early years of Tulip Time, many private homes opened their gardens. Some of these were located in the grounds of grand homes built in the last century, and contain trees and plantings now over 100 years old. Others were the work of more recent garden lovers whose effort and work can be admired particularly during the spring.

Early garden competitions were a feature of Tulip Time, and many entrants were rewarded by becoming championship gardens - not only of Tulip Time, but also in state and national competitions.

Some established nurseries, and became businesses in their own right. Many have received accolades for excellence, and are part of open garden schemes which provide access to the public throughout the year.

Every year acres of beautifully prepared spring gardens, with manicured lawns and magnificent floral displays, participate in Tulip Time's activities.

Other Festival Activities

Each year there are a variety of other activities held during Tulip Time - from dancing, musical recitals in the band rotunda and street theatre in Corbett Gardens, street markets, art and craft exhibitions, to horticultural displays, and other activities.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Bowral and the Southern Highlands during Tulip Time.

Tulip Time Today

When the Tulip Time Committee was originally formed, its purpose was to stage the event annually, and to raise money for local charities.

Bowral Tulip Time Incorporated was a charitable non-profit organisation.

Forty years on, the cost of organising and staging the Tulip Time display is considerably higher than in the past, despite the generous support of sponsors.

The entry fee charged to enter Corbett Gardens is used to cover the cost of staging the festival each year. Once overheads have been covered, excess funds were donated to local charities.

Bowral Tulip Time has donated millions of dollars over the last 40 years to the local hospital, churches, facilities for youth, the aged, and the disadvantaged in the community.

In March 2004 Tulip Time became a Section 355 Committee of Wingecarribee Shire Council, which carries on the tradition of Tulip Time.