Reviewed by: Glam Adelaide
Review by Anastazija Hankins | 21 February 2025

If you are someone who would like to go to a Fringe show but loathes the hustle and bustle of the city? If you’re looking for something relaxing to do? If you’re looking for an event where the kids can run off all that energy they have. Or maybe you want to relax and chill. 

Then, Celestial Gardens: The Secret Sound of Plants, a unique and intriguing experience, is waiting for you.

For those who loathe the city, rest assured that parking is free and plentiful, even if it’s a bit of a walk. But if you have to walk, let it be amongst nature instead of concrete and glass.  

Relaxing is the order of the day? Immerse yourself in a sound bath as you wander through the peaceful gardens. Interact with the plants; they will respond to your movements, and you’ll find yourself, as did I, moving about like Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil. Relieved, no one spotted me and thought, “Oh, this would make a funny reel!”

With its years of standing on its own, the giant Elm is the centrepiece of the sensory-rich garden. Leave your phones in the picnic area and let your senses come alive. You will start noticing that this gentle giant is covered in its own unique style of tattoos as it gently sways as the muon-rich music is played back to you. 

Now, if you’re looking for something the whole family can do, somewhere the kids can go and not have to sit still for an hour, pack a picnic, bring your chairs or blanket, grab the kids, and head to Carrick Hill. The venue sells wine for the adults, or if a picnic is the last thing on your mind, paella and ice cream are available—a lawned area with giant games, including giant chess, croquet and quoits. The kids will be mesmerised by the human-sized plants roaming about; look out for Sunny Flower, who loves to chat.

All in all, I enjoyed this event. It had something for everyone. It was inclusive, chill or anything you wanted it to be.