Queensland Garden Show Program Brings 90 Free Talks To Nambour Showgrounds

The Queensland Garden Show will return to the Nambour Showgrounds from 10 to 12 July with more than 90 free talks and demonstrations across five live stages. Sunshine Coast News reported on 3 July that the program brings together horticultural experts, chefs and gardening personalities for three days of practical education, plant sales and hands-on advice.

One of the headline additions is ABC Gardening Australia presenter Tammy Huynh, author of The Plant Book and the 2021 Horticulturist of the Year. Huynh said she was looking forward to making her first appearance at the event, with sessions covering indoor plant care, common problems and myths that can confuse home gardeners. Her inclusion gives the 2026 show a useful bridge between experienced gardeners and newer audiences who have come to plants through apartments, indoor collections, small courtyards and sustainability interests.

Greenlife Industry Queensland chief executive Colin Fruk told Sunshine Coast News the speaker program remains one of the show's biggest drawcards and a reason visitors travel from across Australia. Returning names include Graham Ross, Sophie Thomson, Jerry Coleby-Williams and Phil Dudman, while Robert Wilson will share expertise in legacy horticulture. The official Queensland Garden Show speaker page is also directing visitors to the 2026 program, reinforcing that the talks are not a side feature but part of the event's main value.

Food and produce are also part of the draw. Sunshine Coast News reported that the Cooks Garden Stage will include chefs such as Mal Meiers from ethos at Alsahwa Estate, Kenji Hiroto from SOKA, Matt Golinski and Robert Cauilan from Aussie World and the Banana Bender Pub. That mix matters because the show is not only about ornamental gardening. It also connects backyard growing, edible gardens, local produce and seasonal cooking, all of which fit the Sunshine Coast's broader food and lifestyle identity.

The event lands in a busy July calendar for the region. OurSC's winter events roundup lists the Queensland Garden Show alongside major sporting, cultural and lifestyle events, including the Australian Deaf Games, junior rugby championships, winter bowls, the Australian Wearable Art Festival and The Curated Plate later in the month. For Nambour, a large recurring event brings immediate visitor movement through accommodation, cafes, service stations and local shops, while also reinforcing the town's role as a hinterland events centre.

The practical appeal of the Garden Show is that visitors can leave with knowledge as well as purchases. The program includes the Giant Kitchen Garden, personalised advice at the Plant Clinic, hands-on workshops and a large collection of plants for sale. That combination gives serious gardeners enough depth while still welcoming families and beginners. The next week will show how strongly the Coast's winter events season can convert cold-weather travel into local spending. For gardeners, the simplest message is already clear: Nambour is again the place to ask questions, buy plants and take home ideas that can be used the same weekend.

The timing also works for residents who have been rethinking gardens after wet seasons, heat, water costs and tighter household budgets. Practical sessions on resilient plants, food growing and common mistakes can turn the event from a shopping day into a useful planning session for yards, balconies and community gardens across the region.