Green thumbs unite at gardening extravaganza
April, 2013
Gardeners across Australia and New Zealand are once again counting down to one of the country’s most impressive gardening events which will see over 30,000 visitors converge on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for the 29th Queensland Garden Expo from 5-7 July 2013.
The event, which attracts both the most avid and the most amateur gardeners, offers a jam-packed program including free lectures and demonstrations on a diverse range of gardening topics as well as the wares of over 360 exhibitors and more than 55 nurseries selling over 40,000 plants per day.
Another highlight of the three-day event will be The Colin Campbell Garden Shed Auction where the columnist and long-time radio and television personality will be remembered after his sad passing last year. Colin was passionate about all things related to gardening and a very special member of the Expo team, having been an integral part of every Expo since its inception 28 years ago. Visitors will have the opportunity to bid on some of Colin’s favourite gardening tools with the proceeds of the auction to go to assisting with a gardening project that will be selected through an application process.
Queensland Garden Expo Event Manager, Marion Beazley believes this year’s event will once again raise the bar offering visitors the latest in gardening tools, accessories, garden art, plant clinic advice and more.
“Gardening continues be one of the most popular past-times in Australia. We love to grow things, whether we have an interest in growing our own fruit and vegetables, cultivating a beautiful rose garden or surrounding ourselves with pot plants to create a more natural and beautiful environment,” Ms Beazley said.
“The Queensland Garden Expo offers some of the country’s most knowledgeable experts as speakers and provides an exceptional range of exhibitors to meet your every need. Those coming to the Expo tell us the reason our visitor numbers keep growing is because they keep coming back year after year and they keep telling others about what’s on offer – we are proud to offer our visitors something new every year to meet their ever-changing gardening needs.
The speaker program is offered across eight live stages and includes many high profile gardening experts such as Costa Georgiadis of ABC Gardening Australia fame who is always very popular, ABC Radio Host Annette McFarlane, Garden Guru Phil Dudman and 4BC Gardening Talkback host, Clair Levander to name but a few. The Expo will also welcome a new speaker to this year’s with Angus Stewart from Gardening Australia sharing his vast knowledge of Australian native plants which has become an increasingly popular topic over the years.
A new addition to the Garden Expo weekend this year is the Gardeners and Gourmets Celebrity Dinner which will be held on the evening of Saturday, July 6 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.
“We come from humble beginnings. When the Expo started in 1984 as a half-day event with only 30 exhibitors, five workshops and a plant clinic it attracted around 300 locals so it’s fantastic that 29 years later we are so highly regarded and placed amongst the top gardening events in the country,” said Marion.
“Our commitment to offering great products across all areas of gardening as well as a wealth of information from an excellent selection of gardening experts makes the Expo a one-stop shop, whether you’re coming along to get the first look at new release plants being launched by the nurseries or you’re wanting to know how to get started with your first vegie patch. There’s something for everyone and the Expo provides a great day out for the whole family.”
Other highlights include the Giant Kitchen Garden is once again expected to prove popular with more people wanting to grow their own food, the children’s playground and the multitude of food stalls and entertainers.
The Queensland Garden Expo is held at the Nambour Showgrounds, Coronation Avenue, Nambour. For more information please visit www.qldgardenexpo.com.au.
Ends.
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, 5 July, 2013
Saturday, 6 July, 2013
Sunday, 7 July, 2013
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: $16
Aged concession card holders: $14
Groups (10 or more): $14
Children (15 and under with accompanying adult): Free
2-day Pass (Saturday & Sunday) – Adults: $28
3-day Gold Entry Pass: $35
The Queensland Garden Expo is proudly supported by
Nursery and Garden Industry Queensland
Tourism and Events Queensland
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Sunshine Coast Council
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