The Bonsai Open

31/10/2026

Bonsai Open 2026 | First Place

A truly magnificent two-part Giant Cedar forest, created, curated and cared for by Mick Hood.

Taking out First Place at the Bonsai Open in March, this impressive composition is a wonderful example of the scale, patience and artistry that can be achieved through bonsai.

The balance between the individual trees, the depth of the forest and the natural landscape created across the planting makes this a composition that draws you in and rewards a closer look.

I'm sure Mick and the crew who helped him transport this beauty to the show would agree that the effort was well worth it — and not just because of the first-place result!

A fantastic achievement and a beautiful piece of bonsai artistry.

30/10/2026

30/10/2026

A reminder of the 2026 People's Choice Award winner.

This magnificent Privet Raft, displayed by Dave McKeon, measures approximately 2 metres (6'6") across.

Originally collected over a decade ago, this impressive composition has been meticulously developed and maintained over the years. Interestingly, the raft was grown on a door for many years, helping create the scale and character we see today.

Dave was often seen at this time of year carefully pruning and pinching back the enormous canopy, keeping this forest of a tree in check.

A well-deserved People's Choice Award and a very respectable third place overall in the Open category at the 2026 Bonsai Open.

Was this your choice? What was your favourite from the 2026 ?

A fantastic example of the time, patience and ongoing work that goes into developing a bonsai of this scale.

25/10/2026

Though we are a specific show page we still love to show love for our bonsai community so:
Annual Newcastle Bonsai Show 2026

Dates: Friday 13 – Sunday 15 November 2026
Location: Club Macquarie, 458 Lake Road, Argenton, NSW 2284
Entry: $5 per person. Children aged 12 and under are free.



Opening Hours

- Friday: 1pm – 5pm
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- Saturday: 9am – 5pm
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- Sunday: 9am – 3pm

Live Demonstrations

- Friday 2pm – Joshua Hooson
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- Saturday 10am – Marcela Ferreira
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- Saturday 2pm – Andrew Edge
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- Sunday 10am – Clinton Nesci
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- Sunday 1pm – Suzanne Duff, Kerry Marston, Pat Greenwood & Lachlan Harbury

Side note: Following her demonstration at the show, Marcela Ferreira will also be running small group workshops on Sunday 15 November at Bonsai World Jilliby, presented by Central Coast Bonsai Club. Morning and afternoon sessions are available, with places strictly limited and bookings essential. Visit the Central Coast Bonsai Club website to secure your spot.



What's On Offer

"Finding Inspiration in Every Turn"

Join us for a spectacular three-day celebration of the art of bonsai. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast or simply curious, our annual exhibition offers something for everyone.

Over 80 stunning bonsai trees will be on display — each one a living work of art. Enjoy expert live demonstrations throughout the weekend. Browse club sales tables with trees available direct from members' personal collections at great prices. A variety of vendors will also be on site selling tools, pots, accessories, starter trees, paintings and more. There will also be raffle prizes to be won.

Everyone is welcome. Come and discover the beauty, creativity, and culture of bonsai.

20/10/2026

A little Transformation Tuesday

A quick reminder that alongside our fabulous vendors at the annual Bonsai Open, we also run our club sales room. Here you'll find trees from club members and exhibitors — often at very reasonable prices.

This Port Jackson fig was kindly donated to the club, and was handed over to our club Ficus professional at the recent Central Coast Bonsai Club Ficus & Fig Workshop Day. He's done a wonderful job — repotted, cleaned up, defoliated, and wired — giving this tree a beautiful new structure, ready and waiting for the Open.

02/09/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Djoni Yusuf, Jason Thomsen, Imran Sharif, Kanak Rahaman, Tan Eng Hock, Richard B. Haranta, Petr Dias, Yashel Rashmitha, Ping Kwong Lee, Swarna Adikaram, Vladimír Kratochvíl, Suraiya Ar, Shah Legno, Atish Beeharry, Paul Donavanik, Kaustav Sobhan Chatterjee, Lijo Edakalathur, Myhomemate Mauritius, Azhar Uddin Gujjar, Charlie Luyong, Chandemar Jotojot, Gayan Dissanayaka, Phorn Kimhor, Bon Zai Viet Nam, Rodgem Maupas

29/08/2026

Bonsai Open 2027 — Marija Hajdic, Lead Demonstrator

The Central Coast Bonsai Club is proud to announce Marija Hajdic, from Meleda Bonsai Studio, Croatia, as our lead demonstrator for Bonsai Open 2027.

The event will be held March 13 and 14 at Mingara, Tumbi Umbi, NSW.

Marija originally trained under Walter Pall, beginning her studies with him in 2007. Over more than 20 years she has built an international reputation, demonstrating and competing across Europe and beyond — including recognition at the prestigious Noelanders Trophy in 2019, and appearances at major conventions and exhibitions throughout the continent. She is widely recognised for her work with collected deciduous material and her philosophy of bonsai as living sculpture.

This will be Marija's third visit to Australia as a professional bonsai artist. Her first appearance in Australia was at Bonsai Reshaped in Canberra. Since then, she has developed a special connection with the Central Coast of NSW, home of the Central Coast Bonsai Club and Bonsai Open.

Marija will launch her next Australian tour right here on the Central Coast, joining us for live demonstrations over the weekend.

Hours: Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 9am–4pm. Tickets $10 per adult, children under 14 free.

To see where else Marija will be visiting during her tour, including other demonstrations and workshops, check with your local bonsai communities and clubs closer to the dates, or follow Marija's social media pages for updates.

[Link: centralcoastbonsai.com.au]

22/04/2026

16/04/2026

Central Coast Bonsai Club Workshop at Pine Needles Estate Erina Saturday April 18th 2026...

03/04/2026

DEMONSTRATOR 07 APRIL2026 07.30pm
WEST PENNANT HILLS COMMUNITY HALL
42 Hill Rd, West Pennant Hills

Clinton has worked full time in his family’s bonsai nursery since 1989. He holds a Nursery trade Certificate from the Ryde School of Horticulture, studying bonsai and later becoming a teacher at The School of Bonsai. Clinton has demonstrated at many Sydney and country clubs and conducted workshops in Hamilton, New Zealand. Working at the nursery for such a long-time exposed Clinton to many different varieties of plants suitable for bonsai, which enabled him to expand his knowledge on the growth and possible development of a wide range of plant material. His favourite material species of the Juniperus kind. He enjoys the flexibility in styling options this plant material presents and its hardiness in our sometimes-harsh Sydney climate.
Clinton is open to ideas for your plant material- he always endeavours that final styling decisions not only suit the plant, but the owner as well.