The beautiful village of Bowral in the Southern Highlands has been on the map for petal pilgrims since the tradition of Tulip Time was established more than 60 years ago. Plot a course for the Highlands during this annual festival which transforms Corbett Gardens into a sea of colour during spring in NSW. Follow along like Hansel and Gretel through the fairy tale woods of Retford Park to attend Tulips After Dark. Or mooch around the Millsheds, which has events and activations planned. The annual Horizontal Festival is also scheduled for Spring in Bowral, one of the best regional towns in NSW for eating and drinking.

Grafton is home to the long-running Jacaranda Festival when leaf-peepers descend to the village in the Northern Rivers in their droves. Make your way through the thickets of selfie sticks in the early morning when the light is dappled violet and you can follow a purple-coloured path. The streets of Grafton in the Clarence Valley erupt in violet blooms from late October to November. And wandering around admiring the tree-lined streets is a very soft way to imprint yourself upon a landscape. The town has a total of 2000 trees, including the oldest in NSW. When you’ve had your fill of flowers, check out our guide to eating and drinking around the region provided to us by two local chefs.

The town of Young seems to have been tailor-made to celebrate the dramatic differences in mood and season on show in NSW’s Hilltops Region. Known as Australia’s Cherry Capital, Young’s orchards burst forth in bloom in spring, which the town celebrates at its annual National Cherry Festival. After months of absolutely dreary winter weather, the town will thumb its nose at the cold with a burst of white and pink blooms. Those planning on visiting the town can follow along online at @cherryblossfest to check the status of the blossoms. Circle the Ballinaclash Spring Blossom Festival in September and the National Cherry Festival on the first weekend of December.

In Japan, the term hanami is used to describe the practice of flower viewing. And spring sojourners will find Cowra Japanese Garden an obvious place to harp on about their dedication to hanami. Wear a flower-of-the-forest crown and coat with a dark green collar so you can immerse yourself in the art of flower bathing. Kisetsukan is another Japanese word that embodies the deep appreciation of each season. In addition to the gardens, which can be enjoyed year-round, there’s the annual Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival slated for the last weekend in September. The gardens were developed to honour the relationship between the people of Cowra and people of Japan, who were interned as POWs during World War 2. Learn more by visiting the onsite cultural centre.

Embrace the golden glow of spring while tracing the route of the Canola Trail around the Riverina Murray region, with a jaunt to Junee, Temora and Coolamon. The mild weather makes the canary-coloured fields an enticing option for road-trippers who want to photograph a happy splash of colour after saying goodbye to the Soviet-grey winter. Springtime also means visitors will have access to a range of incredible fresh seasonal produce which the Riverina region, Australia’s food bowl, is known for. Inhale the tang of citrus while pounding a path through the region’s many orchards, and follow the footfall of your fellow regional ramblers on farm tours that celebrate the season.

Leura Rhododendrons, camelias and roses are unquestionably the showstoppers in spring gardens dotted around the village of Leura in the Blue Mountains. Flower-focused pilgrims follow each other around the town with such diligence that a groove is worn into the earth. All up, there are eight open gardens dotted around Leura and Wentworth Falls for the annual Leura Garden Festival, which helps raise money for the local hospital and charities. There’s a hop-on, hop-off bus which winds its way around the region for the festival. It’s one of the best things to do in spring in the Blue Mountains.

Mt Tomah is a year-round destination for those looking to get outside after too many hours bunched over a screen. After stopping off at a few lofty viewpoints, head to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mt Tomah to gain another perspective of the great outdoors. Visit in spring, when the leaves are sparkling green in the sunshine and the flowers are in full bloom, to indulge in the maximum amount of open skies and nature. Attend a workshop dubbed Friends of the Flowers: Celebrating Native Bees. And pop into the visitor centre to learn more about the Darug, who are the Traditional Custodians of the Northern Blue Mountains. Visit the Bell Bird Café to recharge over panoramic views, one of the many highlights for foodies visiting the Blue Mountains.

Expect The Mayfield Garden to be embellished with flowers and butterflies in spring, like a beautiful piece of embroidery. The immaculately groomed grounds were inspired by grand English country estates in scope and execution but remain resolutely Australian thanks to the open plains of the Oberon district and scent of eucalyptus. Come for the flowers of the Spring Festival in September and October when the shiny gates leading to its 75 hectares of country gardens are flung open to the public. The Oberon Community and Farmers Markets are also a must for all with everything from pastries to preserves making for the perfect foodie souvenirs.

The Hunter Valley Gardens is a bit of a magical wonderland for children. But gardening geeks are also effusive about its fairy tale merits. Reward the kids for enduring all those visits to antique stores and wineries with an adventure to the award-winning Storybook Gardens, a whimsical playground for kids. The Hunter Valley Gardens has seasonal events scheduled throughout the year. In Spring, the gardens are blooming with activities that celebrate the season: like petting baby lambs, making daisy chains and attending a bonsai workshop. It’s one of many NSW wine regions worthy of a grape escape in spring.

Port Macquarie is on the map for epicurean adventurers for its plethora of culinary experiences. But in the months of spring, the town’s setting on the Legendary Pacific Coast, makes it a special place to stay in spring. Visit the coastal hotspot on the Mid North Coast to see grapevines beginning to bud at Cassegrain Wines or Bago vineyard, which has an award-winning hedge maze for the kids to get their wiggles out while on a road trip. Or pick your own strawberries and tomatoes at Ricardoes, a business that sprouted from an honesty box and is one of the best foodie stops along Australia’s East Coast. The Port Macquarie Regional Botanic Garden is also one of the region’s greatest resources and pops with colour from seasonal blooms in spring.