The Tasmanian Garlic and Tomato Festival, a beloved local event that has grown from humble beginnings, is set to return on Sunday, 9th March, at a new venue: Quamby Estate, Hagley. Festival coordinator Monique Artis shared insights into the event’s evolution, its relocation, and what attendees can expect this year.
Launched in 2015 by Annette and Nevil Reed of Tasmanian Natural Garlic and Tomatoes, the festival began as a small endeavour to promote their farm’s produce in Selbourne. “Annette started this as an extra way to sell garlic and tomatoes basically,” Artis explained. “Over the years, it’s turned into this massive monster of a local festival. Very community-oriented, a committee of eight locals, all very focused on the community aspect.”
From an initial 500 attendees in its first year, the festival swelled to over 2,000 last year. However, the increasing popularity led to growing pains. “They’ve reached a point where they’d outgrown the previous site,” Artis noted. What was meant to be the festival’s final run last year, ignited a determination among the committee to keep the tradition alive. Their search for a new venue led them to Quamby Estate.
Artis herself has a strong connection to the new location. “I used to work at Quamby Estate as weddings and events and marketing and jack of all trades,” she said. When Angie, the estate’s manager, learned the festival needed a new home, she reached out to Artis, whose background in events and familiarity with Quamby Estate made her an ideal fit for coordinating the festival’s next chapter.
The festival’s relocation has brought more than just a change in scenery. This year, Heirloom Heaven, a 30-metre-long table display of various garlic and tomato varieties, will expand to include apples, potatoes, and other heirloom produce, a nod to Quamby Estate’s heritage. “Being a historic property, there’s a bit more focus on those heirloom varieties that tend to be more flavourful anyway and delicious,” Artis said. The display, largely supplied by Annette Reed’s garden, will offer visitors a rare glimpse at produce varieties not typically found in supermarkets. Reed herself grows over 300 varieties of tomatoes, showcasing an extraordinary range of colours, shapes, and flavours.
Artis admitted she’s more of an enthusiast than an expert when it comes to the festival’s namesake crops. Yet, she’s quick to highlight the range of growers participating, from local names like Glengarry Garlic to southern producers associated with the Koonya Garlic Festival on the Tasman Peninsula. Attendees can expect to see everything from heirloom tomatoes and cherry varieties to striped and colourful selections.
For Artis, the festival isn’t just about showcasing produce—it’s about celebrating the community and the joy of fresh produce. “Just having a fresh tomato off the vine when it’s still warm, when it’s been just kissed by the sun a little bit, there is no greater joy in the world.”
This year’s festival is expected to draw an even larger crowd, with ticket sales already promising a strong turnout. “We’re capping tickets at around three [thousand], so we are hoping for 2,500 or more,” Artis said. The new venue offers ample space for more people, stalls, and activities. Tickets are available online at tgtf.org.au, with discounted rates for advance purchases and gate sales available on the day.
Despite the logistical challenges of relocating and organising the festival within six months, Artis is optimistic about the future. Traditionally held on the third weekend of March, this year’s event was moved forward a week due to a pre-booked wedding at Quamby Estate.
However, Artis confirmed that future festivals would return to their usual timing, aligning with other local events like Spudfest in Scottsdale. “A great little day trip if you pop in here and then pop to Spudfest or something,” she suggested, envisioning festival-goers gathering all their produce for a fresh, locally-sourced dinner.
Reflecting on the Meander Valley, Artis struggled to pick a favourite aspect. “The incredible soil and the produce that comes from this, whether it’s wine or the garlic or tomatoes or hazelnuts down the road,” she said. “Just the sheer amount of variety that we’ve got here. In an environment that’s similar to England, Scotland—it could be anywhere in the world, but it’s so iconically Tasmanian.”
As the festival approaches, it’s clear that the Tasmanian Garlic and Tomato Festival is more than just a celebration of local produce—it’s a testament to the region’s strong sense of community and the enduring appeal of fresh, flavourful produce.
