Date and time: 10.30 am Tuesday 27th August – finished
What happened around you and the rest of Australia in 2019
National Wattle Day events around Australia
in the Weeks of the Wattle
(Sat. 24 August to Sun. 8 September 2019)
There is no one way to celebrate National Wattle Day – there are many – as you will see from the list of activities such as wattle walks, wattle talks, wattle wood displays, wattle festivals and wattle parades on this page. Create your own. As the 1 September falls on a Sunday this year there is every opportunity to:
- WEAR a sprig of wattle or Australia’s national colours of green and gold
- GREET each other with ‘Happy Wattle Day’
- Go for a walk to enjoy wattles in flower around your suburb or nearby bush
- ORGANISE a picnic, lunch, morning/afternoon tea, BBQ or dinner for your family & friends
Let us know about your Wattle day activities and events for listing if you would like the public to come along.
Just email our Communication Manager with the details is a simple format for this page.
The following listing is by State/Territory in alphabetical order and then by date
Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Queensland
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra
Albert Hall on Commonwealth Avenue – finished
Monday 26 August 2019
ACT Government Citizenship Ceremonies with a Wattle Welcome to Australia’s new citizens
10 am and 1.30 pm
ACT Government Citizenship Ceremonies with a Wattle Welcome to Australia’s new citizens
Guest speaker: Mr Terry Fewtrell – Wattle Day Association Inc.
Terry Fewtrell speaking at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra (Albert Hall)
National Arboretum Canberra
Springtime Wattle Walks (90 minutes each) – finshed
Date and Time:
Saturday, 31st August at 11.00 am (led by Jennie Widdowson)
and
Sunday, 1st September at 11.00 am and 2.00 pm (both led by Suzette Searle)
Meet at the Village Centre
This is a free activity but you will need to register on the Arboretum’s website. Click here
Details: Celebrate springtime in Canberra with guided walks through the 25 different wattle varieties in the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) at the National Arboretum Canberra.
Australia’s floral emblem – the Golden Wattle – will be in bloom to welcome you!
The walk will last around 90 minutes and will need moderate fitness. Please wear sturdy footwear, bring water and dress for the weather conditions.
Wattle Corner – Village Centre – finished
Date and time: Sunday, 1st September at 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
The Wattle Day Association is hosting a ‘wattle corner’ to give out fresh sprigs of wattle and talk about wattle woods such as the world famous Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon).
On display (only) will be turned and other hand-crafted wattle woods from the Wood Works Gallery Bungendore NSW
Calthorpe’s House – Wattle Day Display – finshed
Date and time: Sat 31 Aug 2019— Sun 1 Sep 2019
Celebrate National Wattle day this weekend.
Take part in our regular house tours at Calthorpes House and view Dawn Waterhouse’s (nee Calthorpe) beautiful collection of wattle related items displayed in the family’s dining room.
This collection celebrates this important day and this unique Australian flower.
Date and time: 31 Aug 2019 — 1 Sep 2019
Regular tours available at 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm
Advanced bookings not required
Australian National Botanic Gardens
Wattle Walks all this week – still on!
Don’t miss out as the wattles from around Australia come into bloom
Date and time: 1-8 September 11.00 am – 12.00 pm daily, Meet at the Visitor Centre
Discover the wonderful world of wattles, their symbolism and cultural history on this one-hour walk which celebrates our national floral emblem.
Along the way you’ll learn fascinating stories about this widespread genus, Acacia, and enjoy the first signs of spring.
No bookings required. Free. More information
Thursday Talks at the ANBG theatrette (opposite the Visitors Centre) – finished
‘Wattle we do with Acacia?’
Date and time: Thursday, 5 September 2019 – 12:30pm
Dr Phillip Kodela: Flora botanist and scientific editor, Australian Biological Resources Study, Parks Australia Division, Department of the Environment and Energy, will discuss interesting facts and figures about this genus and related taxa, including recent taxonomic debates and developments in the Flora of Australia and the plant identification tool WATTLE.
Black Mountain Ramble – Wattle we see – still to come
Saturday, 14 September 2019 – 9:30am to 11:30am
Let’s enjoy a ramble among the Wattles on Black Mountain with local plant ecologist, Michael Doherty.
Let’s learn more about some of the common Acacias found on Black Mountain, including Acacia dealbata and Acacia buxifolia.
We will also learn about how Acacias cope with fire and drought.
The walk will mostly be flat to undulating, but with a few steeper sections later on in the walk.
Some relevant booklets will be for sale.
Meet: Belconnen Way entry to Black Mountain Nature Reserve, just before Caswell Drive turnoff (look for the banners).
Bring: Friends and family. Water. Snacks if you wish.
‘Gold Coin Donation’
Please book: If you are planning to come, please provide your name and phone number to friendsofblackmountain@gmail.com, or phone Linda (0437 298 711). It helps with the light refreshments and helps us to let you know if arrangements need to change unexpectedly (e.g. adverse weather).
National Arboretum Canberra
Acacias in Watercolour – with Cheryl Hodges – finished
Date and time: Friday , 6 September 9.20am-4.30pm
in the Terrace Room at the Village Centre, National Arboretum Canberra
Note: Book and pay through Nature Art Lab as this is not an arboretum workshop.
NSW
Bungendore
Wood Works Gallery – ongoing
Date and time: Sunday, 1st September at 9.00 am – 5.00 pm
Hand-crafted wattle woods turned or cut into unique Australian gifts and world class blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) furniture will be featured at this award-winning gallery on National Wattle Day.
Click here to check out these beautiful blackwood pieces – from benches, chairs, coffee tables to mirrors, bowls, chef platters, serving trays, chopping boards, trinket boxes and coasters http://bungendorewoodworks.com.au/timbers/blackwood
Blackwood bowl
Photo Courtesy of the Wood Works Gallery Bungendore NSW
Casterton Sydney
Wattle Day Walk – finished
Date and time: Sunday 1 September 2 pm -4 pm
by The Hills Shire Council/Boronia Tours
Location
Field 4 Fred Caterson Reserve
Castle Hill, NSW 2154 View Map
Cootamundra
Cootamundra Wattle Time Fair and Street Parade – finished
Location:Fisher Park, 68-70 Murray Street, Cootamundra NSW 2590
Open: 31 Aug 2018 – 9 am – 4 pm (Street Parade 12 NOON)
Categories:Annual Special Event, Community, Food, Garden, Handmade, Leisure & Lifestyle, Market Stalls, Music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/Cootamundra-Wattle-Time-Fair-and-Street-Parade-1416314105295301/
Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden (south of Bateman’s Bay)
Going for gold on Wattle Day in the Gardens – finished
Celebrate Wattle Day and the first day of spring at the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Garden this Sunday morning, September 1, at 11.00 am for our monthly free guided walk
Date and time: Sunday 1 September 11.00 am
Location: https://www.erbg.org.au/welcome-to-the-botanic-gardens/visiting-the-botanic-gardens/
Princes Highway
Batemans Bay
New South Wales
Telephone: (02) 4471 2544
Email: contact@erbg.org.au
Genfell (Weddin Shire central NSW)
‘Less than half a days drive from Sydney and approximately two hours drive from Canberra, Dubbo, Bathurst and Wagga.
Grenfell is the birthplace of Henry Lawson and steeped in history with much of its old world character maintained.'(http://www.grenfell.org.au/)
Seminar – ‘Our national floral emblem’ Mikla Lewis – finished
Mikla providing a comprehensive exploration of the many varieties of wattle, and its significance for Indigenous Australians, the early settlers and for contemporary Australia.
Date and time: Wed. 14 August commencing at 7.00 pm
Where: Grenfell Community Hub Conference Room
There will be a wattle seed-based supper and free wattle plants to take home.
Mikla Lewis Photo Courtesy of blog
‘Blooming Wattles’ walking tour will be held at ‘Rosemont’ – finished
Date and time: Friday 23 August from 9.30am -3.00pm
Mikla Lewis will also be hosting a ‘Blooming Wattles Tour’ at ‘Rosemont’ located on Holy Camp Road.
287 Holy Camp Road, Grenfell
9.30am to 3.00pm
Bookings required. To RSVP please contact Mikla Lewis on miklalewis@bigpond.com.
Great article in the Forbes Advocate about Mikla’s upcoming tour and seminar – Click here
Lithgow
Join in a celebration of wattle to see in Lithgow’s Spring – finished
A special morning tea, entertainment and talks – More info
Date and time: Monday, 2 September from 11am
“Once the wattles start to bloom and spring is nigh, it’s the perfect time to celebrate Wattle Day at Lithgow Library with a special morning tea, entertainment and talks on Monday, September 2 from 11am.
To encourage care for the local natural environment, Lithgow Library with help from Lithgow and District Community Nursery, Lithgow and Oberon Landcare Association, Lithgow Beehive and Lithgow Tidy Towns are once again hosting a community event that is inclusive, educational and entertaining.”
Speakers at the morning tea will be Central Tablelands Local Land Services senior land services officer Huw Evans and Carol Proberts, who will be talking about wattles, birds, butterflies and the local fauna.
There will also be songs and entertainment. For more information contact the Lithgow Library on 63529100.
Queanbeyan
Wattle Day Walk – finished
Date and time: Sunday 1 September from 10.00 am -1.00 pm
Googong Landcare invites you to join us on a walk on the Eastern Escarpment
Meeting at Wright Park, on Old Sydney Road past the Council Pound in East Queanbeyan.
Meeting at Wright Park, on Old Sydney Road past the Council Pound in East Queanbeyan.
Bill Willis will lead the day talking about flora and fauna.
This is a slow to moderate paced walk with grades, with regular stops, usually following tracks.
Walkers should have fair fitness, wear hat and closed shoes, (QLC to provide sunscreen), and bring your own food and water.
Queensland
Mt Morgan
Date and time: 8.30 am Saturday 7 September 2019 – on today!
Mount Morgan Rail Complex, 1 Railway Pde, Mount Morgan.
Market stalls, children’s amusement rides, face painting, Live performances by talented local artists, Performances by local childcare group Red Frog, food vendors, information displays and demonstrations, Wattle Day Award.
Photo courtesy of MMPAD
For more information, contact MMPAD on 4938 2312.
More information: https://www.queensland.com/en-au/event/mount-morgan-wattle-fun-day-and-village-markets
Tasmania
Hobart
Morning tea at Karadi Aboriginal Corporation
4 Rothesay Circle Goodwood,N Hobart
4 Rothesay Circle Goodwood,N Hobart
Date and time: 5.00 – 7.00 pm Friday 30 August 2019
Wattle Day information stall
Goodwood Wake-Up Spring Festival
Goodwood Wake-Up Spring Festival
Claremont Spring Flower Show – on this weekend
Date and time:
1pm – 5pm on the Saturday 7 September
10 am – 4 pm on the Sunday 8 September
Claremont Daffodil and Camella Show
Corner of Main road and Bilton Street Claremont (nw Hobart) 7011
Jenni M and the Shredding Betties crew will be doing a wattle day ride wearing yellow
Victoria
Top five wattle places in Victoria – ongoing
In honour of National Wattle Day on Sunday 1 September, Parks Victoria has picked five places across the state you can visit to see wattle.
With over 160 different species of wattle found in Victoria, and 14 of those found nowhere else in the world, you’re almost guaranteed to see their fluffy yellow blossoms if you get outdoors during winter and spring.
Sunday 1 September also marks the beginning of National Biodiversity Month, a time to promote the importance of protecting, conserving and improving biodiversity across the world.
Where are they?
Warrandyte State Park– Pound Bend Reserve
At the closest state park to Melbourne you can enjoy walking or picnicking amongst brilliant golden wattles including at least 15 different species native to the area. People have been travelling here to see wattles in bloom for generations!
Cape Conran Coastal Park – Yeerung River
Out to the east of the state you’ll find several species of wattle alongside some gnarly serrated banksias, pretty melaleucas and paperbarks. Walk along the Estuary View Trail to experience a mix of different ecosystems, native plants and animals.
Greater Bendigo National Park – One Tree Hill
The regional city of Bendigo is surrounded by forest that comes alive with wattle and other flowers from August onwards. If you haven’t had your fill of wattle after visiting One Tree Hill, head closer to town and check out Solomon Gully Nature Conservation Reserve.
Lerderderg State Park – Lerderderg campground area
Just over an hour north west of the Melbourne CBD is this remote park, which turns on a surprising display of colour. Check out wattles, peas, heath and orchids.
Visitors can enjoy a blend of historic buildings, picnic grounds, walking tracks and natural bush spread over 55 hectares. Towering gums, beautiful wattles and native grasses make it an easy metropolitan escape.
High resolution images available to download here.
Colac Botanic Garden
https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au
Date and time: Sep 1, 2019 – Friends of Colac Botanic Gardens – Wattle Day Walk 2:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: Fyans Street, Colac, Colac 3250 View Map
Glenelg
National Wattle Day at Kurrawonga – Sunday 1st September – finished
Kurrawonga will once again be hosting an event for National Wattle day to celebrate everything wattle!
Australia’s national floral emblem is the Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha), as seen in the background of our poster below! From 9.00am – 2.00pm (Vic time) on Sunday 1st September, we will be cooking wattle-seed damper over the campfire, doing some weedy wattle removal, as well as sharing any stories, poems, flowers or other wattle-related items.
If you are interested in coming along, please email your RSVP to Kurrawonga caretaker Nicole, or phone 0414 778 309.
Melbourne
Hurstbridge Wattle Festival – finished
Sunday 25 August 2019
“The Hurstbridge Wattle Festival, is a significant cultural event for Melbournians that has its roots firmly planted in our early rail history.
The Victorian Folk Music Club celebrating Wattle Day at Hurstbridge on 25 August 2019
Photo courtesy of Don Fraser
It’s a joyous celebration of our heritage, environment and community. Festival goers view the wattles in a blaze of glory along the Diamond Creek as they approach the township of Hurstbridge.
As visitors stroll the main street and the various Festival precincts, they enjoy a fabulous and extensive array of entertainment, events and activities for all the family, many of them free.”
For more info: See http://wattlefestival.org.au/
Wattle Day at Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve, Mitcham, Melbourne- finished
Date and time: Saturday 31 August 2019 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
What: Celebrate Wattles in this informative session led by Mart Hagel and then join a guided walk around Yarran Dheran in Mitcham to identify some of our wattles.
Where: Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve, 1 Ashburton Drive, Mitcham, Victoria
For further information and RSVP click here.
The Wurundjeeri people named Yarran Dheran, meaning ‘wattle gully’.
Later settlers also noted the proliferation of wattles in the area, naming Wattle Valley Road.
Come and celebrate these much loved plants at Yarran Dheran win this informative session led by Mart Hagel. Learn about Australian wattles and their uses; focus on identifying features of indigenous and weedy wattles in Yarran Dheran and join him in a guided walk aroung Yarran Dheran to Identify some of our wattles
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/celebrate-australian-wattle-day-at-yarran-dheran-nature-reserve-tickets-65163856850
Date and time: Saturday 7th September 11 am – 10.30 pm
Wattle Day Celebration at Ringwood Melbourne – on today
Photo Trevor Voake
Date and time: Saturday 7th September
Organised by Victorian Folk Music Club and the Traditional Social Dance Association of Victoria
A day to celebrate all things Australian from verse, singing, dancing and music workshops to a family Bush Dance at night.
Where: Senior Citizen’s Hall, Laurence Grv. Ringwood East Melbourne
Traditional ‘folk’ actvities from verse, singing, dancing and music workshops to a family Bush Dance at night.
Western Australia
Dalwallinu – starts Sat 7 Sept
25th Annual Wattle Week Festival – “The very popular annual Wattle Week festival is back for 2019!
Sat 7th Sep 2019 to Fri 13th Sep 2019
There are 185 species of Acacia (Wattles), the largest number to be found anywhere in the world, within 100km’s of Dalwallinu
Dalwallinu is situated on the Great Northern Highway, 254km’s North of Perth.
The Dalwallinu Shire includes the five towns of Buntine, Dalwallinu, Kalannie, Pithara & Wubin.
Visit the Dalwallinu shire for a fabulous week of assorted activities.
Enjoy wonderful country hospitality and join in one of the many events ranging from a unique bush breakfast, kids fun in the park, half/full day tours, sundowners, live entertainment and more.
See the program for further details and contact information.