Thousands of gardening enthusiasts flocked to the Nambour Showgrounds from July 10-12 for the 2026 Queensland Garden Show, which organisers promoted as “a gardening enthusiast’s dream come true” reports gardener and HMAA Secretary George Hoad.
Despite scattered showers on Friday morning, visitors arrived from 8am and continued to stream through the gates across the three-day event. Clear blue skies on Saturday and Sunday helped deliver strong crowds for retailers, exhibitors and specialist nurseries.
Plant lovers filled shopping bags and carts with rare, unusual and colourful plants, while exhibitors offered everything from secateurs and gloves to ride-on mowers and garden art.
The show also featured Australia’s largest gardening speaker program, with more than 70 free presentations and demonstrations. Speakers included Graham Ross AM, Sophie Thomson, Jerry Coleby-Williams, Tammy Huynh, Phil Dudman and Kate Wall, covering topics such as kitchen gardening, landscaping, cooking and practical garden advice.
Among the popular attractions was the Poultry Section, where visitors viewed a range of breeds and joined the growing audience for the Rooster Crowing Competition. Local garden clubs also presented colourful displays, while floral art exhibits drew steady interest.
Horticultural Media Association Australia’s Q&A Plant Clinic and inaugural Pre-Loved Book Nook proved successful, with most donated gardening and horticultural books sold during the event and raising around $1300 after costs.
The annual event, which this year was arranged for the Queensland nursery industry association by an event organiser, remained a winter highlight for gardeners, exhibitors and industry members, offering fresh ideas, plants and the chance to reconnect with friends across the horticultural community. Executive Officer of GLIQ, Colin Fruk, said early indications also showed a very positive financial result.
“Friday is always a big day for attendance, but Saturday and Sunday were much busier this year than last year’s event,” said Colin. “We easily surpassed total attendance at the 2025 show, and production costs were lower, so a win for both sides of the P&L.”
