Fairhill Chill: Live Music Sundays in the Gardens

There is a particular kind of Sunday that only happens in a garden: a table under the trees, a long lunch that nobody is in a hurry to finish, and live music drifting across the lawns. That is Fairhill Chill, our Sunday session in the gardens at Ninderry, and it has quietly become one of the Sunshine Coast's loveliest ways to end a week.

Entry is free, the music runs from 11am to 2pm, and The Gardens Café does the rest. The musicians play for the love of it and the hat comes around for donations, so bring a few dollars and a generous mood.

This Sunday: The Charles Camilleri Connection

"Raw. Soulful. Spellbinding." This Sunday 2 August the gardens welcome back The Charles Camilleri Connection, the powerful collaboration between two standout Sunshine Coast performers: legendary vocalist and guitarist Barry Charles, and internationally seasoned guitarist and songwriter Paul Camilleri.

Their sound is stripped-back blues that puts the chemistry between two players ahead of polished production: raw, expressive guitar work, Barry on his paisley Stratocaster, with soulful lead vocals and acoustic rhythm from Paul. Listen for their take on John Martyn's I Don't Wanna Know, from his 1973 folk-blues classic Solid Air, a song built around the refrain "I don't want to know about evil, only want to know about love". It has been covered often in the folk and blues scene for its mix of vulnerability and warmth, and this duo keeps that spirit and gives it a bluesier edge.

They played the gardens in June and we are delighted to have them straight back. A duo with a loyal local following, perfect for a beautiful, soulful Sunday.

Make a day of it

The music is the soundtrack; the day is yours to shape. Come for the plants at South East Queensland's largest native nursery, let the kids loose on the Farmyard Animal Adventures, or simply claim a table and stay put. Sundays with live music fill up at The Gardens Café, so booking a table really is the smart move.