Garden Expo a blooming, four-day success, despite rain

Gardening Australia’s Sophie Thomson with Chief Steward of this year’s Poultry Spectacular Rob Leck and Claire Bickle from Gardening for the GoodLife. Pic courtesy Martin Duncan

The weather was not kind. But still, tens of thousands of visitors passed through the Nambour Showgrounds gates for the 40th Queensland Garden Expo on the weekend.

This year, for the first time, the Coast’s largest annual event started on a Thursday to extend the program to four days.

Event Manager Marion Beazley said, since its humble beginnings as a car boot sale in 1985, the Expo has thrived and become one of the most anticipated events in the region.

“We couldn’t be happier with how our 40th anniversary event went - luckily a bit of rain has never stopped a gardener from getting out there, so we still had great attendance numbers,” Ms Beazley said.

“We had people queuing from 6.45am on Thursday morning, which goes to show the dedication of our visitors and the quality of what’s on offer. Every year we have many of our growers and nurseries launching new plant varieties at the event, which has become a highlight on the gardening calendar for our avid gardeners.

“With more than 65 per cent of visitors coming from outside the region, the Expo’s economic impact is estimated to be more than $10 million which directly benefits local businesses, not only the nurseries and exhibitors at the Expo but everything from local accommodation and hospitality venues, to retail and tourist attractions in the region.

As part of the birthday revelry, the Expo also launched what is believed to be Australia’s first rooster crowing competition.

“We weren’t sure how much interest we’d get in this new addition to the program but as it turns out, our visitors were excited to get involved and we had no shortage of crowers entering the daily heats.

“Sunday saw us crown Australia’s first crowing champion, Sunshine Coast local John Corum, and it looks like this might well become an annual event, given the number of entrants who wanted to show off their cockle-doodle-doo!”

Ms Beazley said this year’s Opening Ceremony honoured the Queensland Garden Expo’s long-time exhibitors – some of whom had been selling plants and gardening wares since the Expo began in 1985.

“We recognised recipients of our Lifetime VIP Pass – Peter Young, the Heaton Family and our MC extraordinaire Al Doblo – who have all been part of the Expo since the very beginning in 1985.”

Queensland Garden Expo Chairman and Blue Sky Nursery General Manager Simon Smith said visitors embraced the extended four-day program with the nursery enjoying record sales for the event.

“Despite there being some wet weather across the event, this was our best Expo yet in regards to sales, and that's great feedback given this is our first ever four-day event,” Mr Smith said.

• For more visit qldgardenexpo.com.au.