Now in its fourth year, the 2026 Illawarra Edible Garden Trail has grown into a coast-wide celebration, spanning Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama.
Join us across two weekends as we explore this year’s theme, “Food for All”—celebrating backyard veggie patches, balcony & verge gardens, community spaces, school gardens, hobby farms and native habitat gardens, and everything in between!
Take your time discovering gardens across the region:
- 31 Oct – 1 Nov: Helensburgh to West Wollongong
- 7 – 8 Nov: Cringilla to Gerringong
What is an edible garden trail?
An edible garden trail is a weekend where gardeners of all levels and niches open their front gate to the general public to meander through. It’s all about meeting like-minded folk, enjoying a weekend (or two) outdoors learning & seeing something new, and connecting budding gardeners with well-rooted growers, so we can share growing skills & knowledge across the Illawarra, and beyond!
The Trail is an opportunity to ask all those weird and wacky questions, how to raise chooks, what does it take to build soil, how do you choose the right varieties for your garden, what about endemic native foods, how to build the right structure fit for purpose, what grows well in shady spots, how to plant dwarf fruit tree or just simply asking, what is this weed!? And maybe, is it edible? Don’t miss this golden opportunity to connect with your neighbours and learn how to build food security across the Illawarra!
Event details
| What | Illawarra Edible Garden Trail |
| When | Sat 31st Oct and Sun 1st Nov 2026 from 10am-3pm AND Sat 7th and Sun 8th Nov 2026 from 10am-3pm |
| Where | Helensburgh to Gerringong |
| Who | Community members across the Illawarra interested in local food growing and creating diversity in our backyards |
| Cost | Adult (18+) – $25 Concession (students, pensioners) – $15 Kids (17 and under) – FREE Adult (17+) Single Garden Visit – $5 Pay What You Feel |
Please note for attendees visiting gardens over the Saturday and Sunday of the Trail we will have a roaming photographer and videographer. If for any reason you do not wish to be filmed or photographed would you please be able to make that known to the videographee and the photographer who will be apparent with large amounts of camera gear. Otherwise content taken on the day will be used in promotional material for consequent events and marketing needs.
Open your garden!
The Edible Garden Trail welcomes all kinds of growing spaces for the 2026 trail. Whether you have a backyard veggie patch, herbs on a windowsill, tomatoes on a porch, or a garden that supports local wildlife, you’re invited to take part. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to gardening or have years of experience—especially if you grow both food and native plants.
Host registrations are now open for gardens between Helensburgh and Gerringong. We’re looking for all types of gardens, including backyard, native habitat, verge, rental, community, and school gardens.
To take part in the 2026 trail, email gardentrail@foodfairnessillawarra.org.au to express your interest or register via the form below
