Countdown begins as Queensland Garden Show prepares to welcome thousands this weekend
Chief Executive Officer of Greenlife Industry QLD Colin Fruk said ticket sales had been extremely encouraging, with another bumper crowd of more than 25,000 visitors expected across the three-day event.
With just days until the gates open, the Nambour Showgrounds are coming to life as exhibitors, nurseries and event organisers put the finishing touches on the Queensland Garden Show ahead of another highly-anticipated weekend.
Organisers and volunteers have been working behind the scenes as more than 360 exhibitors arrive onsite to create their displays and stock their stands ahead of Friday's opening.
Across the three-day event, more than 60,000 plants will be available for sale each day, with dozens of specialist nurseries spending months growing and preparing their stock for what has become one of Australia's premier gardening events.
Among the most eye-catching displays will be specialist nursery Gotcha Plants, where visitors can explore everything from fascinating carnivorous plants and highly sought-after collector's specimens to an eclectic collection of quirky botanical treasures curated by business owners Paul Zillman and Catharina Thumling.
Mr Zillman said the Queensland Garden Show was one of the highlights of the year, giving specialist nurseries the opportunity to meet visitors face-to-face, share their knowledge and showcase plants people simply don't find every day.
"The Show attracts everyone from experienced collectors to people simply looking for something fun and unusual for their home or garden," Mr Zillman said.
"This year we're bringing [insert examples of plants people can expect to see], some really unusual collector's pieces that you don't often see for sale, and of course our carnivorous plants, which may look beautiful, but have an insatiable appetite for insects!
"Some of our rarest collector's plants can have price tags of up to $1,000, but there will also be plenty of affordable and unusual plants for people wanting to start their own collection."
Chief Executive Officer of Greenlife Industry QLD Colin Fruk said ticket sales had been extremely encouraging, with another bumper crowd of more than 25,000 visitors expected across the three-day event.
"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 Show will once again feature Australia's biggest gardening speaker program, with more than 90 free presentations and demonstrations across five stages and a range of free workshops.
Attendees can hear from some of Australia's most popular gardening experts including ABC Gardening Australia’sTammy Huynh, making her Queensland Garden Show debut, Graham Ross AM, Sophie Thomson, Jerry Coleby-Williams, Phil Dudman, Kate Wall, and many more.
“And the inspiration extends well beyond the speaker stages, with a host of free hands-on workshops giving visitors the chance to pick up new skills and get creative,” Mr Fruk said.
“Whether it's making a kokedama moss ball, building a terrarium, trying floristry, learning propagation techniques or discovering practical ideas to use at home, the workshops are designed to inspire gardeners of every skill level.
“The Queensland Garden Show is all about helping people discover new ideas they can take home and put into practice. From growing your own food in the interactive GROW Kitchen Garden to keeping backyard chickens, attracting wildlife, creating more sustainable gardens and making the most of even the smallest outdoor spaces, there are practical tips and expert advice around every corner.
“In exciting news, this year we’re also introducing Local’s Day on Sunday, 12 July with a 20 per cent discount on tickets for Sunshine Coast Council locals, and of course, kids 15 and under are free all weekend.”
Families can round out the school holidays with face painting, eco arts and crafts, sandpits filled with trucks, diggers and dinosaurs, fairy gardens, mud kitchens, giant lawn games, and twice-daily interactive musical adventure sessions. On Friday, kids can also enjoy terracotta pot decorating and seedling planting activities.
The ever-popular Rooster Crowing Competition also returns this year, with crowing sessions held daily at 1pm and grand champion adult and junior crowers crowned each day.
The 2026 Queensland Garden Show will be held from Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour. Gates are open at 8am daily.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.qldgardenshow.com.au.