Southern Highlands Autumn Gardens Weekend and Plant Fair 2026

The Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens will once again come alive in autumn with its annual flagship event, the Southern Highlands Autumn Gardens Weekend and Plant Fair, will be held on the weekend of Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April 2026, plus for the first time with events extending through to Monday 20 April 2026.

Now in its 15th year, the open gardens and plant fair has grown into one of the Southern Highlands’ most anticipated weekends, attracting thousands of garden lovers, foodies, and visitors from across NSW and beyond.

Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens has also announced a special giveaway, – purchase two weekend tickets for a chance to win a Ben Huon Manor luxury accommodation Weekend Stay package for six.

This year’s program promises to be the biggest and most exciting yet, with the main fair hosted at the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, Bowral, alongside the opening of five private estate gardens, not normally open to the public, across the region.

Building on the success of recent years, with celebrity guests, live jazz bands, diverse stalls, and strong media coverage, the 2026 event will feature an expanded program, new experiences, – promoted with the assistance of an advertising grant. Southern Highlands Autumn Garden Weekend & Plant Fair is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

“This event truly showcases the best of the Southern Highlands – our gardens, our growers, our local producers, and our community spirit,” said Charlotte Webb, CEO of the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens.

“We are expanding our event by increasing the number and diversity of market stalls at the Fair, including the introduction of our Highlands Harvest lane of local Southern Highlands produce and food stalls. We’ve also worked closely with local businesses on cooperative partnerships to offer accommodation and extending the event into an additional day. Monday 20 April, will feature immersive experiences including Bowral Honey Farm Tour & Lunch Experience, Oxley Hill Farm Flowers Tour and Flower Arranging Workshop, High Tea at the Stunning Peppers Craigieburn and Retford Park Historic House and Garden Tour. With advertising support from a Destination NSW grant, our 2026 event will be a milestone celebration for both locals and visitors alike.”

At the fair, visitors can explore a wide array of stalls featuring rare and collectable plants, garden décor and supplies, local providore goods, gourmet food, and local gin and wines, while enjoying special guest appearances on the Saturday, and live jazz entertainment on Sundays ‘Jazz in the Gardens’ – and of course visit the breath taking, exclusive private estate gardens throughout the weekend.

All moneys raised from the event go directly to keeping the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens operational and growing. “Private garden owners who are not normally open to the public, generously open their gardens in support of raising much needed funds for the operations of SHBG,” said Charlotte Webb.

Tickets are now on sale!

Stallholder expressions of interest are still open, offering exclusive promotional opportunities for local and regional businesses.

Event Details:

• Dates: Saturday 18^th April – Monday 20^th April 2026
• Times: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily on Saturday and Sunday. Monday see Immersive Experiences at www.shbg.com.au for session times.
• Location: Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens, 1 Old South Road, Bowral
• More information and tickets available for purchase at: www.shbg.com.au