How to experience Japan’s cherry blossom season at Auburn Botanic Gardens

After a two-year hiatus during the pandemic a stunning Australian garden is returning with its popular cherry blossom festival, allowing visitors the opportunity to see the Japanese flowers in full bloom.

The Auburn Botanic Gardens, located 20 minutes west of Sydney’s CBD, is in the midst of its very short cherry blossom season, running from August 20 to 28 with 9am to 5pm booking slots.

The gardens were created in 1977 and cover 9.7 hectares with two stunning lakes, a waterfall and the famous Duck River that travels through the garden.

The gardens were created in 1977 and cover 9.7 hectares with two stunning lakes, a waterfall and the famous Duck River that travels through the garden

A native and rainforest garden are usually visitor highlights, alongside the scented garden and sunken rose reserve.

When spring hits, the numerous lakes scattered around the garden are the perfect place to have a picnic and watch fish and ducks swim underneath rows of old oak trees.

For the kids, the fauna reserve and bird aviary is a great place to explore and meet kangaroos, wallabies and emus at the Fauna Reserve.

But for this week only thousands will flock to the gate in search of the perfect pink picture, posing up against a sea of pastel flowers.

But for this week only thousands will flock to the gate in search of the perfect pink picture, posing up against a sea of pastel flowers

Entry is $10 per person but children under 16 and residents of Cumberland City Council are free

To avoid the crowds its best to visit the park on a weekday and book in well in advance.

Entry is $10 per person but children under 16 and residents of Cumberland City Council are free. 

The festival, which usually attracts 90,000 people, was cancelled last year at the last minute when lockdowns plagued Sydney.

But this year there are already thousands of photos and videos on social media showcasing the cherry blossoms in bloom.