One of Australia’s largest gardening events, the Queensland Garden Expo, will this year celebrate its 30th anniversary when it’s held at Nambour Showgrounds between 11-13 July.
After planting the seed to build a successful gardening event in 1985, organisers could not have imagined that 30 years later the Expo would attract more than 35,000 gardening enthusiasts and horticultural experts from across Australia and New Zealand. It offers an action-packed program including 125 free lectures and demonstrations across eight stages, as well as more than 360 exhibitors and displays by over 55 nurseries selling over 40,000 plants per day.
Queensland Garden Expo Event Manager Marion Beazley believes the strength of the event lies in its ability to attract both avid and amateur gardeners.
“People of all ages and skill levels flock to the Expo and it’s not only to stock up on plants – the majority come to get gardening advice and to improve their gardening skills thanks to the interactive nature of the event and the wealth of knowledge on offer across the speakers and exhibitors,” Ms Beazley said. “The event really does cater to every gardening need, whether you have a few pot plants or acreage or anything in between. It provides access to the latest in gardening equipment and accessories as well as the much-anticipated release of new plant varieties which has people queuing down the road on the opening day.”
“We’re looking forward to another great year in regard to high profile speakers including appearances from hot favourites like Costa Georgiadis, Jerry Coleby-Williams and Angus Stewart of ABC Gardening Australia, ABC Radio Host Annette McFarlane, garden guru Phil Dudman and horticultural expert Clair Levander.”
Other highlights at the Expo include the Giant Kitchen Garden which incorporates a totally organic food court and a number of lectures and workshops on creating a sustainable garden; the free Plant Clinic where a dedicated team of gardening experts offers free personal advice; and the Landscape Garden Displays where local landscapers create inspirational gardens from a blank canvas at the Expo every year.
The Expo will once again commemorate gardener extraordinaire, columnist and long-time radio and television personality, Colin Campbell with the Colin Campbell Gumboot Auction, which follows on from the great success of the Colin Campbell Garden Shed Auction last year, where enough money was raised to support five community garden projects.
“This year’s auction introduces a new twist, with Expo visitors given the opportunity to bid in a silent auction for gumboots that have been decorated by a number of well-known local identities and celebrities.”
Last year the Expo also hosted the inaugural Gardeners and Gourmets Celebrity Dinner on Saturday, 12 July at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort. The ticketed event will offer guests the opportunity to hear their favourite gardening presenters and speak to leading gardening experts while enjoying great local produce, entertainment and giveaways.
“This year we are also focussing on making the Expo more sustainable and looking how we can recycle much of what we use to create the Expo environment. Everyone with a disposable coffee cup will be encouraged to claim a handful of soil and free plant to make good use of the paper cups. It’s about engaging visitors, getting them excited about gardening and creating a fun environment for a great family day out.”
Kids can enjoy a range of activities including street performers, musicians, the children’s playground and the multitude of food stalls and special interest activities.
The Queensland Garden Expo is held at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. For more information, visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au
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