Wildflowers are bloomin’ lovely
The Sunshine Coast bursts into colour this spring with the return of the Wildflower Festival and a vibrant program of exhibitions, workshops, and guided walks.
When the Sunshine Coast wildflowers are in bloom, it’s cause for celebration.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said this season promised unforgettable experiences—be it walking among blooms, painting petals, or discovering the history of local conservationists.
“From guided walks through blooming bushland to hands-on art workshops and captivating exhibitions, you’re invited to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of wildflowers in our region,” Cr Suarez said.
“Whether you're a budding botanist, an art enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone.”
Wildflower Festival
16 - 31 August
Explore and discover our local wildflowers on guided walks across the coast.
The Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival is an annual, spring event to celebrate the beautiful display of wildflowers in the region.
The Wildflower Festival provides public guided walks and activities across the Sunshine Coast, encouraging people to immerse themselves in nature.
Cost: Free
Bookings: Visit Council’s website to explore the program and book
Transformations: Art of the Scott Sisters exhibition
15 August to 7 December
Stunning watercolours by prominent Australian natural history illustrators.
On loan from the Australian Museum, the exhibition features exquisite scientific illustrations of butterflies and moths by Helena and Harriet Scott.
The exhibition also includes a spotlight on Kathleen McArthur’s nature-inspired art, live insect encounters, and drawing activities.
Location: Landsborough Museum, 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough
Cost: Free
Visit Council’s Heritage website for details
This Unique Wilderness: campaigns of Kathleen McArthur exhibition
15 August to 7 December
Celebrating Kathleen McArthur, beloved local artist, author and environmental activist. Kathleen created national awareness of the delicate ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast through her art and writings. Explore her works, the wildflowers she loved, and her legacy.
Location: Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains
Cost: Free
Visit Council’s Heritage website for details
Wildflowers for creative inspiration part 2 guided walk
23 August
Be inspired by the native wildflowers of the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden.
Location: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Palm Creek Road Tanawha
Cost: $6.46
Bookings via the eventbrite website
Bushland Impressions III exhibition
23 August to 31 August
Expect gorgeous hues in paint and glaze, character-filled fauna and iconic flora - all inspired by the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden.
Open daily from 10am - 3pm
Cost: Free
Visit the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden website for info
Guided walk - Proteaceae and Banksias
28 August
Celebrate wildflower season with a guided walk about Banksias and other plants in the Proteaceae family.
Explore the historical and botanical background of these iconic Australian plants and admire the beautiful specimens growing in the Botanic Garden.
Location: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Palm Creek Road Tanawha
Cost: $5
Bookings essential: Visit the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden website to book
Glasshouse Mountains Flora Workshop
29 August
Hosted by Dr Hilary Pearl and Rowena Thomas from Australian Native Plants Society Wallum Study Group
Location: Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct, 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains
Cost: $10 per person.
Registration essential: Visit Council's heritage website to book
Wildflower Painting
3 to 19 September
Learn how to paint the beauty of wildflowers using acrylic paints.
Join the Heritage Library team for a step-by-step workshop focusing on the drawings and paintings of the Sunshine Coast’s most famous conservationist, Kathleen McArthur.
Use a selection of her paintings to inspire your creation. No experience needed.
Location
- Nambour Library, 3 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Beerwah Library, 4 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Kenilworth Library, 5 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Maroochydore Library, 8 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Coolum Library, 9 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Maleny Library, 11 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Kawana Library, 12 September (BOOKED OUT)
- Bankfoot House, 19 September (space available)
Cost: $15
Booking: Visit Council’s heritage website to register
Puppet story time and live bug display
24 September and 1 October
Classic stories told with the help of puppet bugs, followed by a live bug experience.
Location: Landsborough Museum, 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough
Cost: Free
Visit Council’s Heritage website for details
Insect mounting and pinning
3 October
2 sessions 10am and 12pm
From collecting, mounting and labelling to preserving and presenting, children aged 10 plus will learn everything they need know to start their own insect collection.
Students will receive a setting board, pins, mounting needles, labelling card, instruction booklet and an Australian butterfly and beetle/bug to mount.
Location: Landsborough Museum
Cost: $10
Bookings: To book visit Council’s heritage website
Wildflower Paint-Out
5 October
Join Wildflowering by Design co-curators and artists, Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandler and award-winning Sunshine Coast artist, Rosie Lloyd-Giblett for a special wildflower paint-out event at Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park, Currimundi Lake.
Participants will enjoy a talk and demonstration by Sue before wandering through the small remnant of wallum heath in search of the vividly coloured heath wildflowers.
Location: Currimundi Lake, Kathleen McArthur Conservation Park entry, Wurtulla
Cost: $15
Bookings: Book tickets on the Humanitix website
Wildflowering by design exhibition
17 October to 30 November
This exhibition draws inspiration from ground-breaking women, such as artist/environmentalist Kathleen McArthur, to present contemporary responses by artists from the Sunshine Coast and beyond. New artworks and designs reimagine and celebrate native wildflowers and women’s connection to place.
Curated by Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandler.
Location: Caloundra Regional Gallery
Cost: free
Visit Council’s gallery website for info
Native Beekeeping 101 workshop with live bees
15 November
Celebrating National Pollinator Week, this Native Beekeeping 101 workshop covers native Australian stingless bees and solitary bees.
Learn how to attract them into your garden with plants and insect hotels. See a stingless hive get split and taste their amazing honey.
Location: Landsborough Museum
Cost: $5 per person, suitable for ages 8 and over.
Registration essential: Visit Council’s heritage website to book
Kathleen McArthur's Lunch Hour Theatre Scripts Podcast
Kathleen McArthur was a beloved Australian naturalist, writer, botanical illustrator, and conservationist. She campaigned to preserve landscapes threatened by economic development.
She advocated to preserve locations including the Pumicestone Passage, Great Barrier Reef, Sunshine Coast beaches, and the Cooloola National Park in the 1960s and 1970s.
Take an audio journey through Sunshine Coast Libraries podcast series with 22 episodes based on the Kathleen McArthur’s Lunch Hour Theatre Scripts Collection.
Wildflower resources
Explore wildflower books and resources on Council’s library website
Seed Library
The Seed Library is free and open to anyone with a library membership. Similar to your usual library borrowing experience, a seed library allows the community to “borrow” seeds from the library to grow at home, returning some seeds once the plant has matured.
Seed Libraries are available at all library branches and mobile libraries during open hours.
More info: Visit Council’s library website to see how it works or to volunteer