Brilliant blooms, cricket clashes, wine festivals and opera in the great outdoors provide the perfect backdrop for your spring getaway in the nation's capital.

Canberra's award-winning Floriade and Floriade NightFest return in September with more than one million blooms, and a festival atmosphere that will extend throughout the season with an exciting array of events, exhibitions and festivals to experience.

Manuka Oval in Canberra will host a one-day international cricket match between Australia and South Africa on 19 November. Australia's clash against South Africa will be the second time the national team has played in Canberra. The highly anticipated match will take place under lights at the refurbished oval and is part of a five-game series between the two teams. ticketek.com.au

Immerse yourself in a spectacular outdoor operatic experience held in the natural amphitheatre at the National Arboretum. This year's Voices in the Forest concert features Latvian soprano Inessa Galante, Australian baritone Peter Coleman-Wright and New Zealand tenor Simon O'Neill.  voicesintheforest.com.au

Meet inspiring Australia Paralympian and operators of Bigfoot Adventures, Michael Milton, who will be offering day bike tours around Canberra this spring including guided bike tours during Floriade. You can also experience 'Canberra All Lit Up' on a summer evening cycle around Canberra's beautiful Lake Burley Griffin. bigfootadventures.com.au

The National Museum of Australia's new equine exhibition, Spirited: Australia's Horse Story, will trace how people and horses have together helped to build the Australian nation. Opening in September, Spirited will present stories of the powerful bonds and enduring relationships that have formed between Australians and their horses. Horse-lovers will also want to attend the Unbridled Festival of Horses, Music and Food at Thoroughbred Park this spring. nma.gov.au

The Canberra International Film Festival's 18-day program is a celebration of cinema, showcasing extraordinary films from around the globe at Dendy Cinema and the National Film and Sound Archive's Arc Cinema. In addition to screening feature films and documentaries, you can enjoy Q&A sessions, and panel discussions with directors, producers, actors and the broad range of artists involved in the filmmaking process. canberrafilmfestival.com.au

There's no better time than spring to sample the best of the Canberra district's wine. Visit the Murrumbateman Moving Feast (4-5 October), a roving degustation of meals matched with local wine. Riesling lovers can taste the best of local, Australian and international drops during the Canberra International Riesling Challenge (14-17 October). For the full Canberra District wine experience look no further than the Wine, Roses and all that Jazz annual festival (1-2 November). canberrawines.com.au

For more great holiday ideas and places to stay in the capital, visit www.visitcanberra.com.au