Potting Mix vs Garden Soil vs Compost vs Fertilizers
Jill Coomb is a gardening expert and horticultural specialist at Searles, one of Australia's leading brands in gardening products. With years of experience in the gardening industry, Jill is passionate about educating gardeners on the importance of selecting the right products for their specific needs.
Keeping Backyard Chooks
" Claire Bickle is a qualified horticulturist, permaculturalist and chook tragic. She is passionate about all things relating to sustainable living including backyard poultry keeping. With years of hands-on experience, Claire was a contributing author of the ABC's Happy Hens book and wrote the poultry article for Earth Garden Magazine for over a decade. "
Garden Fact and Fiction: Don’t Be Led Down the Garden Path
Bio: Arno King is an experienced horticulturist, author, and TV presenter, known for his ability to separate gardening myths from proven facts. His no-nonsense approach to gardening focuses on providing gardeners with the tools and knowledge to avoid common mistakes and misconceptions.
Perennials for the Subtropics
Carol Kerkin is a seasoned gardener and plant expert with a focus on subtropical gardening. She has a deep understanding of how to grow and care for perennials in subtropical climates, and she is dedicated to helping gardeners in warmer regions create beautiful, sustainable gardens.
One of the standout attractions will be the live creation of a stunning mural on the hillside opposite the historic Old Esk Railway Station. Renowned Toowoomba artist Alex Stalling and her team will transform the natural landscape into a breathtaking painted garden. This first-of-its-kind artwork in Queensland will use non-toxic grass paints to celebrate the region's stunning biodiversity. The mural will offer a visual feast as art comes to life, blending seamlessly with the landscape. Visitors will have the opportunity to watch the magic unfold in real-time, creating a memorable experience that merges nature with creativity. “Supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and Somerset regional Council"
Step back in time and witness the timeless art of blacksmithing at the Esk Garden Fair. Skilled blacksmiths will demonstrate their craft, creating unique, handcrafted garden art pieces right before your eyes. Experience the power of fire and steel as these masterpieces take shape, showcasing the craftsmanship and artistry that goes into each piece. These live demonstrations offer an incredible opportunity to see the raw energy of metalworking in action.
The Butterfly Stage will be alive with music, providing the perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation and entertainment. Headlining the stage is Amanda King, one of the Gold Coast’s most popular solo acoustic performers. Local groups such as the Esk Minstrels, and Act Two will also take to the stage, offering a mix of sounds that will create a lively and engaging atmosphere throughout the fair.
Sustainability is at the heart of this year’s fair, and the Searles Coffee Cup Refill Station is a perfect example. Visitors are encouraged to bring their used coffee cups to be refilled with a seedling, reducing waste while taking home a new plant to nurture and grow. This initiative combines sustainability with the joy of gardening, offering a fun and eco-friendly way to enjoy the event.
local florist Sarah from Somerset will be showcasing her floral talents through live demonstrations, where she will create stunning flower arrangements in front of an audience. Guests will learn expert tips and tricks for arranging flowers beautifully, taking home fresh inspiration to try their own hand at floral artistry.
A sensory experience like no other, the Healing Garden Display is made entirely from recycled materials. This inspiring installation engages all the senses and provides a soothing environment for visitors to relax and reflect. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join in a hands-on workshop with Jane.
From trees wrapped in cosy, cheerful covers to the quirky yarnbombed bikes perched around the grounds, every corner reveals something playful and unexpected. The best part? You never quite know what you'll find. Each year brings surprising new installations, with bold colours, intricate patterns, and a whole lot of heart woven into every stitch. It’s all part of what makes the Esk Garden Fair feel like A Country Day Out for Garden Lovers—creative, community-driven, and delightfully fun.
Looking for new ways to contribute to the town, we discovered that Esk has very little public art—presenting a unique opportunity to create something lasting. With a talented mosaic group within the Club, the Esk Mosaic Trail was born as an ideal legacy project. Fully funded by the Club, the first large mosaic totem will be installed in May—just in time for everyone to admire during the Esk Garden Fair. The sculpture’s theme is “Biodiversity,” celebrating the natural beauty of Esk and depicting local birds, wildlife, and flora found along the trail.
