Iconic event celebrates 35 years of gardening greatness
One of Australia’s most loved gardening events, the Queensland Garden Expo, will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year when over 40,000 visitors converge on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast between 12 and 14 July 2019.
The Expo which now boasts 360-plus exhibitors and displays — including 55 nurseries — and over 120 lectures and demonstrations by Australia’s who’s who of gardening, started its life as a one day event with a handful of nurseries, a plant clinic and a few talks in the Nambour Showgrounds in 1984.
Event Manager Marion Beazley said that very few events enjoyed such longevity and wanted to thank everyone who had attended the event over the past 35 years for their ongoing support.
“From humble beginnings, the multi award winning Queensland Garden Expo has grown to now be Australia’s largest sub-tropical garden expo with the largest speaker program of any gardening event in the country,” Ms Beazley said.
“This milestone is significant, not only for the gardening industry but for the region as a whole given the Expo attracts visitors from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond. More than 65 per cent of the 40,000 who attend the Expo travel from outside the Sunshine Coast so it’s a big drawcard for the region.”
“You can’t underestimate how much growth there has been since the 1980’s in people’s love for gardening — the growth in our attendance is testament to this.
“This, coupled with speakers like Costa Georgiadis, Jerry Coleby-Williams and Sophie Thomson from Gardening Australia, Gardening Guru Phil Dudman and many more big names in gardening, has resulted in a very special event that has a massive following which includes everyone from green thumbs to absolute gardening novices and everyone in between.”
Long time Queensland Garden Expo speaker and Gardening Australia presenter Sophie Thomson encourages everyone to put the Queensland Garden Expo on their bucket list.
“This event is amazing. There is so much to see and do, so much to learn and be inspired by and it’s all about having access to real gardeners who have the information to help you garden better,” Ms Thomson said.
“The diversity of the plant life is phenomenal, the landscape displays are awesome, and I meet people from all over Australia who have lots of fun and get lots of information.
“I would encourage everyone to put the Queensland Garden Expo on their bucket list. It truly is a great place to come to.”
Ms Beazley said that there would be some crowd favourites returning to the expo along with some new features particularly aimed at families.
“We have huge plans for this year’s event including workshops, landscape displays and of course tens of thousands of plants for sale and fun activities for the whole family,” Ms Beazley said.
“The Reflection Gardens have been incredibly popular in the past two years, where a series of inspirational small display gardens are created around a designated theme by a range of Expo exhibitors including nurseries, landscapers and artists.
“Those participating take their creations very seriously and we expect to see some amazing and creative spaces that are planned months in advance but come to life in the final days before the expo opens.
“Our highly regarded plant clinic where visitors can get all the answers to their gardening questions will return as well as the Cook’s Garden Stage and a fully planted sustainable garden.
“We will also have our new Sunday Sessions on the final day of the expo where visitors can take part in free hands-on workshops to create floral arrangements, succulent bowls, and even fairy gardens.
“You don’t need to be a serious green thumb to enjoy the Queensland Garden Expo. We have so many different things to see and do that there is something for everybody.”
The 2019 Queensland Garden Expo will be held between 12 and 14 July at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour. To find out more and purchase tickets online, please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
Fast facts — Queensland Garden Expo
- Three-day event
- 40,000-plus attendees
- 360-plus exhibitors and displays including 55 nurseries
- 120-plus free lectures and demonstrations
- Eight speaker stages
