Illawarra Edible Garden Trail 2025

Ever wanted to sticky beak in your neighbour’s garden? Or to show someone around yours? Well now’s your chance!

What is the Illawarra Edible Garden Trail?

The Illawarra Edible Garden Trail is running for it’s third year, and will take place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November 2025 from 10am-3pm. This event is in partnership with Food Fairness Illawarra with thanks to sponsor Gilly’s Kitchen Garden.

The trail will be a fun weekend meandering through edible gardens between Helensburgh and Shell Cove. It’s all about connecting budding gardeners with well-rooted growers, and sharing all the growing tricks and tips for different environments.

What kind of gardens are included?

The trail will show a variety of growing spaces and climates including backyard gardens, market gardens, community gardens and school veggie patches. Some gardens are long established, while others are newer or in flux – reflecting the realities of seasonal changes, gardening challenges and unpredictability of mother nature. This presents opportunities to learn from each of these interesting and inspiring spaces – but please don’t expect perfectly tended ‘show gardens.’ 

How does it work?

Over two days you’ll be invited into peoples growing spaces to see their creative ideas, have a chat, and to learn about what grows well where and when! Registered attendees will be provided with a downloadable map (1 week prior to the trail) allowing them to visit the gardens that interest them and plan their weekend to suit.

Please Note: Some gardens are open all weekend, while others are open only Saturday or Sunday. Garden profiles and open days will be listed soon here.

Come join us!

The Illawarra holds a wealth of growing knowledge, and the Edible Garden Trail is about embracing and sharing it. This year the trail will take place across Wollongong and Shellharbour, extending year-on-year to the rest of the Illawarra to build community progressively. Funds raised through tickets sales are covering the costs of delivering this event.

Tickets will be available soon, please email Emily at gardentrail@foodfairnessillawarra.org.au  if you’d like to be updated as tickets go live!

Want to share your garden?

If you’d like to open your growing space, we’re looking for host gardens of all shapes and sizes,. You can register your garden here or email Emily on gardentrail@foodfairnessillawarra.org.au