Garden Expo flourishing after 30 years
April 3, 2014
One of Australia’s largest gardening events, the Queensland Garden Expo, will this year celebrate its 30th anniversary as it attracts over 35,000 gardening enthusiasts and horticultural experts from across Australia and New Zealand to the 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 offer 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, which started as a one-day event with 30 exhibitors and 300 visitors, lies in its ability to attract both the most avid and the most 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. The event 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 which was a great success and promises to reach new heights this year with the Expo’s thirtieth birthday celebrations. The dinner will be held on the evening of Saturday, 12 July at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort. The ticketed event will offer guests the opportunity to hear their favourite gardening presenters and to speak to leading gardening experts while enjoying the great local produce on offer as well as entertainment and giveaways.
“The Expo has become a highlight on the calendar for people from across Australia and New Zealand and as we continue to strive to improve the event every year, it will continue to attract new visitors,” said Ms Beazley.
“Last year we had over 50 coach groups attend the Expo and this year we have confirmed groups coming from Melbourne, Sydney and New Zealand. The new flights direct from Auckland into the Sunshine Coast have certainly raised interest in the Garden Expo across the Tasman, which also bolsters local tourism.”
“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 please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
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Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au
More details
Where: Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
When:
Friday, 11 July, 2014
Saturday, 12 July, 2014
Sunday, 13 July, 2014
Opening times:
Gates open – 8:00am Daily
Gates close – 5:00pm Friday and Saturday, 4:00pm Sunday
Disability access:
The showground offers excellent facilities for wheelchair visitors with on-site disabled parking, easy access and ground level exhibits along with disabled toilet facilities. Guide dogs are welcome.
Tickets
Adults $18
Aged concession card holders $16
Groups (10 or more) $16
Children (15 and under with accompanying adult) Free
2-day Entry Pass (Saturday & Sunday) – Adults $30
3-day Entry Pass $40
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