For today’s Weekend Wanderings I thought I would give you a look around some of the exhibits at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show. For most of the days I went I was using the Tamron SP 90mm macro lens, but on the first day I left the Nikon 24-70mm lens on the D850. Sorry this post is a day late, I find myself really exhausted from going in there so much. On top of that going to Calamity Jane at the Arts Centre added to the tiredness. Fantastic play, if you get a get chance, go and see it.
Weekend Wanderings – Melbourne Flower and Garden Show
It is always a good show to attend. There is so much to see, not to mention it is full of experts to help you with any questions you might have for your garden. There are some flowers that I’ve been trying to get for my garden for some time, and this year, I now have those plants. They are already in the garden, in time for the rain.
I went in three times to the show this year. The first two days were beautiful, but yesterday, not so much. It started out well, meaning that it was overcast, but then it started raining. It just drowned the whole event really. We ended up leaving, there is only so much you can see and do in the Royal Exhibition Building.
Macro Photography
The best thing about the show is being able to take photos of nearly every kind of flower you can think of. No one seems to mind you just walking around and taking photos.
For the show this year Tamron Australia loaned me the 90mm Macro lens which was fantastic. I’ve used it before, but not the latest version. I think it is a fabulous lens, actually I always have thought so. I think if I had got my grant for the Nikon macro I would have got the Tamron lens. For more information on it click here.
While you can buy lots of flowers everywhere, they often put lots of cut ones in buckets. They sit out the front and make it very easy for you to photograph them. It is hard not to come home with a few hundred photos.
Struman Optics
They have a stand there again this year and it was good to catch up in person. I got to try out some new lenses that they have. We discussed me getting a code for you guys to use to get a discount and in return I would get a cut as well. Win win for both of us.
I am going to do a post on a couple of the lenses that I took photos with at the show, but will do that in the near future.
Flower Fashions
Last year there were Chrysanthemums everywhere, but this year, none. It is strange how that can happen. I just wanted them last year and I did buy quite a few, but then they died off and never came back. I’m starting to think the soil here needs some work.
There were lots of dahlias, and three new ones are now in my garden. I am looking forward to lots of flowers, but so far, I haven’t had much luck with those that I have. I have to work out how to get them to flower.
Viking Cruises High Tea
The last year or two you have been able to have High Tea at the Flower and Garden Show. I haven’t worried about it before, but this year we thought we would see if we could get a table. We managed to today.
It isn’t cheap, $75, which is a lot really. Though, part of it, I’m sure, is the whole it is a high tea at the flower show and we can charge more.
Was it worth the money, no.
There wasn’t a lot of food, they were unprepared to make any changes to the menu, so if you are a vegetarian, you didn’t get a lot of choices. The bread on the sandwiches I had was dry and in some places hard, so not fresh. The mini quiches were nice, but obviously heated in the microwave. The scones weren’t warm, and the only jam was strawberry, I hate strawberry jam. The cakes were nice, but obviously, not fresh either.
The sparkling wine was nice and the staff were friendly, so that is a positive, but I wouldn’t recommend anything else. We thought it was $10 for the wine, $20 for the food and then $50 for the words high tea. Very disappointing.
Car Parking
Parking is very hard around there. You can park at the Museum Carpark, but you really need to look at all the information. They have a website for parking, which states it is $21 a day, but apparently that is only if you book online. You can’t click off the page to find what the rates are. You can end up with a very nasty surprise when you leave.
If you can catch public transport, that is probably the best way. Our train line is having a lot of work on it at the moment, so no trains, unfortunately.
Tickets
It is the last day today and as I’m writing this I can hear the wind howling outside, so I’m glad I went on the days I did. There is going to be more rain and a chance of a thunderstorm. I think I will stay home and listen to the rain on my roof. Hopefully my new roof, that wasn’t done properly, won’t leak.
If you want to go then you can purchase your tickets at the entrances. It is $29.90 for an adult.
If you would like more information then please click here.
Here are all the photos for you in a gallery. Click on one to get a bigger image.
Subscribing
If you enjoyed this article consider subscribing to the blog. You can do that by clicking on the subscribe button at the top of the sidebar.
If you would like to join the email list for additional information send an email to leanne@leannecole.com.au.
Gorgeous photos Leanne … love that lens! Thanks for sharing
Thank you Julie, it is a beautiful lens for macro.
Is it a must have lens?
It would be if you had a DSLR Julie, I don’t think they do it for your camera. Though they have started doing mirrorless, so who knows what will happen.
Beautiful photos – that is an impressive show!
Thank you Nora, it was very impressive, though it always is.
$50 for the words ‘high tea.’ That cracked me up but totally put it in perspective. The show does look beautiful, though.
It was like that Lois, sadly, it was such a shame really. The show was worth going to, and I will go again next year, but I won’t do the high tea today. Thank you Lois.
Thanks, Leanne. Good shots and an informative blog. I will miss the show this year. We just got back from a week in Ballarat.
Thank you Don, it was good this year, I got so many photos. I hope Ballarat was good?