North Sydney Council Garden Competition 2026

Much like a vibrant garden in spring, the North Sydney Council Garden Competition is blooming again for 2026. This annual event invites gardening enthusiasts to display their creativity and green-thumb skills across a range of exciting categories.

How to apply – 3 simple steps:

1. Select an available judging session. Please note:  Session times are divided into Eastern Suburbs and Western Suburbs to reduce travel time between sessions for the judging team.

• Eastern suburbs: Cammeray, Cremorne, Cremorne Point, Kirribillli, Kurraba Point, Neutral Bay

• Western suburbs: Crows Nest, Lavender Bay, McMahons Point, Milsons Point, North Sydney, St. Leonards, Waverton, Wollstonecraft

2.  Fill out your contact information and garden location.

3.  Select the awards you would like to nominate your garden for (multiple categories permitted).

Further Information:

• One entry per category only.

• The awards presentation evening will be held on Friday, 25 September 2026.

Categories include:

1. Balcony Gardens – Paved areas with pots/planter boxes (e.g., units/flats) 

2. Courtyard Gardens – Paved areas with planted pots in ground-level residences

3. Most Beautiful Garden – Front/back garden or both

4. Indoor Gardens – Pot plants or container gardens

5. Children's Garden – Garden created or cared for by a child/children

6. Native Habitat Garden – Featuring native flora and/or encouraging native fauna

7. Edible Garden – Private – Individual efforts (herbs, vegetables, fruit trees)

8. Edible Garden – Community – Shared efforts (schools, co-ops, communal spaces)

9. Lex and Ruby Graham Prize – Individual – Public space beautification

10. Lex and Ruby Graham Prize – Group – Group effort in a public space

11. Judge's Special Award – Discretionary award for excellence or creativity

Media Notice

By entering this competition, you consent to being photographed or recorded.
Photos and media may be taken throughout the judging period and at the Awards Presentation for use by North Sydney Council in marketing, communications, archives, reports, and future publications.

Further information contact the North Sydney Council Events Team - events@northsydney.nsw.gov.au