Celebrate spring with Griffith’s epic festival

Get along to beautiful Griffith to relish in the region’s citrus harvest, explore elegant local gardens, and discover incredible food, wine and art this October.

Set in the stunning north-west of the Riverina region, also known as the food bowl of Australia, Griffith is one of the most under-the-radar secrets in NSW. A lively, multicultural hub dispersed with elegant wineries, fertile farmlands and beautifully curated private gardens, this regional town springs to life for two weeks every October during the annual Griffith Spring Fest (8–21 October in 2023), drawing visitors from all over the state and beyond.

See the already gorgeous Griffith spring to life.

Celebrating the contribution of migrants who settled in the region after the First and Second World Wars, as well as Griffith’s rich food and wine culture and plentiful producers, the event combines fantastical citrus sculptures and a garden Festival, as well as a host of engaging events for all ages.

A six-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney, and four and a half hours from Melbourne, Griffith Spring Fest is the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful landscapes and warm spirit of this citrus- and wine-producing area.

Bring the whole family to enjoy festival events.

Amazing citrus sculptures

As the centrepiece of the festival, the Citrus Sculpture display is now in its 26th year, still dazzling viewers with juicy monuments created from a staggering 100,000-plus locally grown oranges and grapefruits.

Running for the entire length of the festival, the display will, as always, line the town’s main street with a spectrum of tangerine hues fashioned into amazing, mind-boggling shapes. Visitors can spot everything from cars to castles and clocks to canines as they wander through the citrus-scented outdoor gallery.

Marvel at the intricate sculptures.

Inspired by the Fête du Citron in France’s lemon-growing region of Menton, Griffith’s first foray into the zesty sculptures kicked off in 1995 with just three works. Today this number has grown to feature more than 60 creations that take more than 800 volunteers – from kids to nonagenarians – to construct.

Fastened to metal frames with countless rubber bands, these three-dimensional orange statues capture imaginations, unite the community and put Griffith on the map.

Walk or ride through the incredible Citrus Sculptures. (Image: Visit Griffith)

More Griffith Spring Fest highlights

A Day in the Orchard, 7 October

Getting in before the festival officially starts, A Day in the Orchard is set at Piccolo Family Farm in Lake Wyangan, just six kilometres from Griffith. The ticketed, family-friendly event celebrates the region’s produce, music and art with local food and drink stalls, musicians and performers, and a showcase of local makers and artisans.

Book tickets to A Day In The Orchard, set in an orange orchard.

Decorate and plant your own flower pot, 12 and 19 October

A workshop to delight budding young horticulturalists, this one-hour event at the Griffith Library lets kids decorate and plant their own flower pot to take home. The library will also host other green-themed workshops throughout the festival.

LINX Launch Party, 13 October

Griffith Spring Fest officially kicks off each year with the LINX Launch Party, where the whole town, swollen with visitors, gathers at the Griffith Tourism Hub to usher in the festivities. The free street party weaves through the Real Juice Company Citrus Sculptures and features everything from kids’ games to live music, as well as an enormous pan of paella to feed the crowd.

Kick things off at LINX Launch Party.

Griffith Garden Festival, 14–15 October

Now in its 31st year, the Griffith Garden Festival will see six private gardens open their gates to enthusiastic green thumbs. From cottage gardens to immaculately tended acreages, there’s plenty to inspire plant lovers. Each host provides additional attractions for festival-goers, including workshops, horticultural talks and plant sales.

Visitors can take self-driven tours or see the displays with Garden Bus Tours. Departing the Griffith Tourism Hub, the bus tours also make a stop for a light lunch.

Get exlusive access to some of Griffiths’s most beautiful gardens.

Sip & Stretch with Yarran, 14 October

Start your weekend right with a morning of yoga, followed by a light breakfast and bubbles among the vineyards of Yarran Wines. The beautiful cellar door activity overlooks the serene Cocoparra National Park.

Sip and savour at food and wine events

Griffith’s cornucopia of wonderful food and wine will be on show daily for visitors to sample throughout the festival. It’s the perfect time to take a winery tour, enjoy a special meal or head to your favourite vineyard for a tasting.

Stop into Yarran Wines for a paired tasting with local produce. (Image: Destination Riverina Murray)

Discover more at griffithspringfest.com.au.