The Nambour Showgrounds will bloom into one of Australia’s biggest celebrations of gardening this weekend as the Queensland Garden Show returns with thousands of plants, expert speakers, hands-on workshops and family entertainment.
Final preparations are underway ahead of the three-day event, with more than 360 exhibitors transforming the seven-hectare site into a vibrant showcase of gardening inspiration. Organisers expect more than 25,000 visitors through the gates from Friday to Sunday, with keen gardeners already planning early starts to secure rare and limited-release plants before they sell out.
More than 60,000 plants will be available for purchase each day from 55 specialist nurseries, ranging from colourful flowering favourites and productive edibles to unusual collector’s specimens rarely found in mainstream garden centres.
Among the exhibitors drawing attention is specialist nursery Gotcha Plants, where visitors can discover an extraordinary collection of carnivorous plants, collector’s monstera varieties and other botanical curiosities.
Business owner Paul Zillmann said the Queensland Garden Show was a highlight of the year because it allowed specialist growers to connect directly with gardening enthusiasts and curious newcomers alike.
“The Show attracts everyone from experienced collectors to people simply looking for something fun and unusual for their home or garden,” Mr Zillmann said.
“This year we’re bringing some really unusual collector’s pieces that you don’t often see for sale, like the variegated half moon Monstera, and of course our carnivorous plants, which may look beautiful, but have an insatiable appetite for insects.”
Greenlife Industry Queensland chief executive Colin Fruk said strong ticket sales pointed to another successful year for the event, which has become a major attraction for both locals and visitors.
“Every year we see the queues build before the gates open on Friday as keen gardeners race to secure the rare plants and limited releases before they sell out,” Mr Fruk said.
“But what makes the Queensland Garden Show so special is that it’s not just for passionate gardeners. Whether you’re taking your first steps into gardening, looking for inspiration around the home, wanting a fun family day out during the school holidays or simply enjoying the atmosphere, there really is something for everyone.”
The event boasts Australia’s largest gardening speaker program, with more than 90 free presentations and demonstrations across five stages. Visitors can hear practical advice from some of the country’s best-known gardening personalities, including ABC Gardening Australia presenter Tammy Huynh, making her Queensland Garden Show debut, alongside Graham Ross AM, Sophie Thomson, Jerry Coleby-Williams, Phil Dudman, Kate Wall and many more.
Beyond the speaker stages, visitors can take part in a wide range of free workshops covering kokedama moss balls, terrariums, floristry, plant propagation and sustainable gardening techniques.
Mr Fruk said the event was designed to inspire gardeners of every age and experience level.
“From growing your own food and attracting wildlife to making the most of small outdoor spaces, there are practical ideas and expert advice around every corner,” he said.
Families are also well catered for, with face painting, eco arts and crafts, mud kitchens, fairy gardens, giant lawn games, sandpits filled with trucks, diggers and dinosaurs, plus interactive musical adventure sessions throughout the weekend. Friday will also feature terracotta pot decorating and seedling planting activities for children.
One of the show’s most entertaining traditions, the Rooster Crowing Competition, returns with daily crowing contests at 1pm, where adult and junior champions will again battle for bragging rights.
New this year is Local’s Day on Sunday, with Sunshine Coast residents receiving a 20 per cent discount on admission. Children aged 15 years and under receive free entry all weekend.
Now in its fifth decade, the Queensland Garden Show contributes more than $200 million to the local economy, with around 65 per cent of visitors travelling from outside the Sunshine Coast, cementing its reputation as one of the region’s premier annual events.
The Queensland Garden Show runs from Friday, July 10, to Sunday, July 12, at the Nambour Showgrounds, with gates opening daily at 8am. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.qldgardenshow.com.au.