Learn how to bring your backyard to life

Do you know what a “living backyard’’ is?

You can find out at this year’s Queensland Garden Expo (July 4-7), which will transform the Nambour Showgrounds into a winter wonderland of all things plants and garden for a spectacular four-day affair.

Celebrate the Expo’s 40^th anniversary and look out for The Living Backyard zone for all the information you need to create a wildlife-friendly backyard.

Whether you want to attract frogs, birds, butterflies, bees or other wildlife you will get all the tips you need.

Look at the vibrant displays including a full-size native garden themed to attract butterflies.

Listen to experts talk about how you can preserve and enhance the native flora and fauna within our community.

From 9am daily, you’ll find a variety of speakers under the Tipi, presenting on biosecurity, frogs, flying foxes, weeds, invasive animals and more, and even a demo on how to make bees wax wraps.

Local knowledge and plants for locals

Sunshine Coast Deputy Mayor Councillor Maria Suarez said it was an opportunity to meet a range of exhibitors with a wealth of knowledge about backyard nature conservation - Barung Landcare Nursery, Coolum Community Native Nursery, One Earth Landscaping, QLD Frog Society, Birdlife Sunshine Coast, Australian Native Bee Association and Wildlife Volunteers Association.

“I encourage you to make the most of buying local, native plants for your property from two local community native nurseries,” Cr Suarez said.

“Sunshine Coast Council’s exhibit with the Coastal Discovery Van will also provide displays and information on a range of environment and sustainability programs like BushCare Sunshine Coast, Land for Wildlife, coastal processes, shorebirds, flying-foxes, waste and recycling, Biosphere and Blue Heart, and staff will be there to answer questions and provide advice.”

The Queensland Garden Expo continues attracts thousands of visitors to the region each year and is supported by Sunshine Coast Council through the Major Events Sponsorship Program.

Learn more about the Living Backyard

Check out how to get there – think car-pooling, train, bus or shuttle bus.

Buy your tickets and support one of Australia’s biggest gardening events.