Sip & Bloom’s Main Stage is the heart of the festival – a lively hub where Australia’s most passionate horticulturalists, garden innovators and storytellers share their knowledge, tips and inspiration.

Across the weekend you’ll hear straight-talk gardening wisdom, creative planting ideas and behind-the-scenes stories from some of the country’s most respected experts.

Expect engaging talks, demonstrations and plenty of audience Q&A to help you make the most of your own garden. But the main stage is just the beginning. Throughout the day, our stallholders will host interactive workshops and demonstrations right across the grounds.

Special Guests and Speakers

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Horticulturalist and Broadcaster

Beloved TV and radio personality, Vasili has been sharing his no-nonsense approach to gardening with Australians for decades. Known for his passion for growing food at home, he inspires people to keep gardening simple, sustainable and fun.

Craig Castree

Regenedible Horticulturalist and Author

A regenerative horticulturist and author, Craig is dedicated to helping people transform their backyards into productive, edible gardens. From soil health to grafting fruit trees, his practical knowledge makes gardening accessible to everyone.

Phillip Vaughan

Australian Native Expert and Nurseryman

Phillip brings over 30 years of expertise in grafting and breeding to enhance plant vigour and flowering, creating hardy, water-wise varieties suited to changing environmental conditions. His collection features some of Australia’s finest new natives.

David Mathews

Proteaflora Founder

Part of the founding Mathews family behind Proteaflora, David has been instrumental in shaping Australia’s Protea industry for more than 50 years. Building on his father Peter’s vision, he has helped grow Proteaflora into a world-leading nursery, known for innovation, expertise and a deep passion for Proteaceae.

Sandra Schwarz

Landscape Architect and Author

Sandra Schwarz is an educator, landscape architect and author passionate about understanding and sharing what makes green spaces restorative. Sandra will draw on experiences and reflections on restorative and therapeutic green spaces across Europe, Asia, North and Central America. Understanding and sharing how we can connect to nature, each other and embrace our experiences of supportive environments is at the heart of her work.

Chloe Foster

Horticulturalist, Educator and Broadcaster

Horticulturist, educator and broadcaster, Chloe brings a lifelong love of Australian plants to everything she does. Through teaching, garden consulting and radio, she inspires others to create thriving, sustainable gardens. Chloe's new book The Rookie Gardener is helping novice plant parents nail the absolute basics of gardening