2026 Tablelands Garden Competition

Get your gardening gloves on!

The much-anticipated Tablelands Garden Competition is back for 2026. Entries are now open to eligible gardens located within the Tablelands Regional Council area and will close 5pm Wednesday 7 October.

Tablelands Regional Council Mayor, Kevin Cardew said: “We’re fortunate to live in such a unique and beautiful region that provides such a diverse range of plant species and produce. We’d love to see incredible gardens entered from across the Tablelands, showcasing our region and our talented gardeners!”

Categories for the competition this year include:

Home Garden – Vibrant outdoor spaces using trees, shrubs and climbers where colour comes mainly from flowers and foliage. The whole garden on the home property will be judged.

New Home Garden –The home and garden must both be less than two years old and will be judged against the same criteria as the Home Garden category.

Rural Home Garden – Gardens providing shade and comfortable living spaces incorporating trees, shrubs, colour and the use of natural features. These gardens should be on at least one acre.

Edible Garden – Gardens that produce a variety of edible produce and show effective use of natural resources and materials.

Community Garden – Gardens cultivated by schools, community groups and garden clubs that emphasise the community’s spirit and pride using a combination of trees, shrubs, colour and edible produce.

Commercial Garden – Gardens using trees, shrubs and colour from flowers and foliage to create an aesthetic street frontage. Entrants can include shops, restaurants, caravan parks, B&Bs and motel/resort complexes.

Young Gardener – Unique garden spaces created by gardeners up to 17 years of age who demonstrate a genuine passion and enthusiasm for gardening.

Prizes will be awarded for first and second places in each category and an additional prize for ‘Garden of the Year’ awarded to an eligible home or rural home garden.

A judging panel will visit entered gardens the week commencing Monday 12 October, and following judging, the community will be invited to participate in ‘People’s Choice’ voting from 3pm Monday 19 October to 5pm Friday 23 October.

Winners will be announced at 10am Thursday 29 October at the Coordination Centre, 15 Vernon Street Atherton.

For more information or to enter your garden, visit trc.qld.gov.au/garden-awards.