Spring is such a fun season – the weather is warming, the birds are singing, and the wattles are painting the town in golden-yellow sunshine.
But while wattles are often considered the herald of spring, they don’t all start flowering on National Wattle Day in September (or August, if you’re in QLD.)
Some varieties start flowering as early as May, while others don’t get going until October. No matter when they start, though, most wattles have staggered flowering that will keep them colourful for a month or two.
Whether you’re growing wattles in your garden or just want to enjoy the views around your city, it’s good to know when wattle flowers in Australia – so you can enjoy some sun in the sky and along the footpaths, too.
ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA | Popular Varieties
All About Australian Wattles
These Australian native trees are a spring icon, found all across the country.
Wattles come from the genus Acacia (from the pea family!) and are the largest genus of flowering plants in Australia. There are hundreds of wattle varieties, from the creamy black wattle to the classic golden wattle.
In cultivation, these acacias do not become tall trees, instead reaching mature heights of 6-8m.
Australian wattles are best known for their signature golden-yellow flowers. In home gardens, they’re often a main feature tree or a great screening plant.
If you need help choosing a local wattle for your garden, check with a reliable gardening service in your area – they’ll know best!
When is Wattle Flowering Season in Australia?
Many species of wattle begin blooming from late winter to early spring – August to October.
Peak wattle flowering season in Australia is generally from late August to early September.
However, some varieties can get started from May to June.
Between this and their staggered flowering habit, it can often feel like wattles are in bloom year-round. But here’s a general guide for when wattles put on a show in the different states and territories.
When does wattle flower in the ACT?
The ACT is home to Australia’s floral emblem, the golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha). It’s among several varieties in the ACT that can get started as early as June-July.
On the other hand, the red-stemmed wattle (Acacia rubida) has blooms that last until November.
Many other acacias will be at their most lush from August to September.
WATTLE WATCH: Australia’s iconic acacia is a prominent feature along many “wattle walks” in Canberra.
When does wattle flower in New South Wales?
Several native New South Wales wattles start flowering early – for example, the Sunshine wattle puts out its cream-coloured flowers in autumn and can last all the way to early summer.
Most often, these golden flowers will pop up in Sydney and other regions in NSW between August and November. Several botanic gardens set their peak flowering period in August.
WATTLE WATCH: The south-east areas of NSW are some of the best places to view wattles! Plus, the Botanic Gardens of Sydney have a special picnic area called the Wattle Garden – guess why.
When does wattle flower in the Northern Territory?
The Northern Territory has some of the earliest flowering wattles! For example, Witchetty bush (Acacia kempeana) can start flowering in autumn (March to May).
Northern black wattle (Acacia auriculiformis) sometimes blooms in April, while silky wattles (Acacia holosericea) do so in June.
Many NT wattles are in full flush from autumn to winter, with some varieties lasting until spring.
Moreover, many of these acacias are edible – or, in the case of Witchetty bush, are home to edible insects.
WATTLE WATCH: Check out the Desert Rivers Habitat in Alice Springs Desert Park, which features some exquisite wattles – including the early-blooming Coonavittra wattle, which bursts into colour from April to June.
When does wattle flower in Queensland?
Many of Queensland’s native wattles bloom early, with some getting started in June to July.
The Queensland silver wattle (Acacia podalyriifolia) can start blooming as early as May, lasting throughout the winter.
In fact, QLD celebrates its Wattle Day on August 1st, usually the peak of wattle flowering season in the state. Other states celebrate this day on September 1st.
WATTLE WATCH: There’s a reason the suburb Acacia Ridge in Brisbane has its name! Several state parks and botanical gardens also have lots of acacias.
When does wattle flower in South Australia?
Many wattle varieties in South Australia will begin flowering in late winter, including the Gold Dust (Acacia acinacea) and Graceful (Acacia gracilifolia) varieties.
SA residents should start seeing those yellow-gold blooms in August, though the trees will be at their sunniest in spring – especially in September.
One native South Australia wattle, the Barrier Range wattle (Acacia beckleri), can start flowering in early autumn.
WATTLE WATCH: The Adelaide Hills area is dominated by wattles, but you can find more uncommon varieties around the Flinders Ranges.
When does wattle flower in Tasmania?
Tasmania is home to some unique wattles that have early or long flowering seasons.
For example, the flowers of the black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) last much longer – A. mearnsii can stay in bloom from September until December!
In certain regions (like the southeast), the floral show can start earlier, from July to August.
WATTLE WATCH: The southern areas of Tassie are home to some of the rarer wattles in Australia, including the Derwent Wattle and Rice’s Wattle.
When does wattle flower in Victoria?
Many wattles in Victoria will flower in spring (September), but they can have some of the later and longer-lasting blooming periods.
Lightwoods (hickory wattle or Acacia implexia) are some of the latest bloomers, usually starting in late spring (October to December) up to late summer.
Depending on the conditions, lightwoods can keep blooming until May!
WATTLE WATCH: Check out Wattle Park in Melbourne, aptly named for the acacias that burst into bloom across its 55 hectares. Lightwoods, meanwhile, are common in the Geelong region.
When does wattle flower in Western Australia?
WA is home to Australia’s most common tree – the Mulga (Acacia aneura). Mulgas are unique in the acacia genus, with a long flowering period from March to October.
These small shrubs or trees are most likely to put on a show after heavy rain.
Many other wattles in WA start blooming in winter, with peak season in late August to early September.
WATTLE WATCH: The northern part of the Wheatbelt is one of the most wattle-rich areas in the whole country! There’s also the popular Wattle Walk in Golden Valley Tree Park.
When Do Different Wattle Varieties Flower?
These three are some of the most common wattles, although they’ve become so popular that they’re now invasive outside their native ranges.
When does golden wattle flower?
Acacia pycnantha can start blooming as early as late winter, in July. The blooms can keep appearing until early summer (November to December).
The bright yellow flowers may steal the show, but golden wattle seeds are also valuable! They’re edible and can be ground into flour.
When does Cootamundra wattle flower?
In its limited native range, Cootamundra wattle (Acacia baileyana) flowers begin emerging as early as June.
It’s a prolific winter flowering tree, often at its most lush in July and August. Some trees retain their flowers until early spring, in September.
NOTE: Cootamundras are environmental weeds in many areas outside the Western Slopes region of NSW. They spread quickly and hybridise easily, so they’re an invasive threat to other Australian plants.
When does Sydney golden wattle flower?
The Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) can start blooming in June!
These small trees have a flowering season that often spans June to October, and can be found in and around the Sydney region.
NOTE: Acacia longifolia is highly invasive outside its native range, and should not be planted near bushland.
FAQs – What Else to Know About Wattle Flowers
Need to know more about wattles and flowering? Here’s some handy info alongside questions people often ask.
Do wattles flower in winter?
Yes, wattle can flower in winter!
Almost 1/3 of Australia’s acacias – including the iconic golden wattle and Queensland silver wattle – put out blooms in the winter months (June to August).
What month does wattle bloom?
Most varieties of wattle will start flowering in August (late winter) and will be at their most profuse in September (early spring).
This depends on variety and climate, though. Northern regions tend to see earlier flowers (June to September) while more southern regions might not get flowers until mid-spring (September to October).
Meanwhile, coastal wattle varieties also tend to flower earlier, while more inland varieties reach full bloom in spring.
There are exceptions, though – for example, wattles in Tassie’s southeast areas can get going as early as August. On the other hand, golden wattles in the ACT might start even earlier in July.
How long do wattle flowers last?
This will depend on the variety, environment, and growing conditions – there’s no true timeframe.
Typically, wattle trees have “staggered” flowering, meaning they’ll produce new clusters every few weeks throughout the season. This makes them appear covered in blooms for a month or more.
The flowers themselves typically live between 1-2 weeks before wilting.
FYI – Many wattle species have “aggregated pollen,” which falls straight down instead of floating in the air. So while the flowers look fluffy, the wattle pollen might not have caused your hay fever!
When is National Wattle Day?
The country’s National Wattle Day is celebrated on September 1st, the first day of spring.
Queensland is an exception, as it celebrates the day on August 1st.
