The Woolgoolga District Orchid Society is bursting with pride to announce it will host the prestigious 23rd Australian Orchid Council Conference and Show in 2025. From Wednesday 1 October to Sunday 5 October, the seaside town of Woolgoolga will welcome orchid enthusiasts from across the globe for a celebration unlike any other.
The event will take place in the brand-new Wiigulga Sports Complex, Solitary Islands Way – a state-of-the-art venue nestled in one of Australia’s most breathtaking coastal settings. Just a stone’s throw from the turquoise waters of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, and framed by the dramatic slopes of the local Great Dividing Range, this location truly captures the essence of our Conference theme: “Orchids from the Mountains to the Sea.”
Woolgoolga and its surrounding districts are home to an extraordinary array of wild orchids – more than 200 species thriving across forests, rocky escarpments, sandy dunes, and lush hinterland. From the world’s tiniest orchid, Bulbophyllum minutissimum, to the majestic Pseudovanilla foliata, the diversity of native orchids here is nothing short of spectacular.
Founded over three decades ago, the Woolgoolga District Orchid Society has grown into one of regional New South Wales’ most vibrant and active orchid communities. Hosting this triennial Conference is both an honour and a testament to the Society’s dedication to sharing the wonder of orchids with the wider world.
The programme will feature a stellar line-up of internationally acclaimed speakers, expert growers, and visionary hybridisers, offering the latest insights into orchid science, conservation, cultivation techniques, breeding breakthroughs, and innovative technologies shaping the future of orchid culture.
Visitors can expect world-class competitive orchid displays, breathtaking floral artistry, and a feast for the senses as orchids from every corner of the globe come together under one roof. It promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime gathering for plant lovers, scientists, hobbyists, and anyone enchanted by the beauty and mystery of orchids.
Mark your calendar, book your stay, and get ready to immerse yourself in five days of orchid magic in the heart of paradise – Woolgoolga, New South Wales.
Disclaimer: the writer has been given discounted event tickets: Photo: (c) Susan Fairbairn
