Bonsai Nurseries Hobart: Where to Buy Bonsai Trees (2026)
Hobart’s cool, maritime climate is close to ideal for classic bonsai. Japanese maples, trident maples, pines, junipers, elms and larch all thrive with the city’s mild summers and crisp winters. Tasmania also has a growing reputation for native bonsai, led by local growers working with species from the island’s mountains and coastlines.
Tasmania’s strict biosecurity rules limit which plants and soils can come in from the mainland, so buying from a local nursery or club sale is usually the simplest option.
This guide compares Hobart’s bonsai nurseries. It covers where they are, when you can visit, what they stock, whether they offer classes or services, and which kind of buyer each one suits best.
Before you visit: Hobart’s bonsai nurseries are small and owner-run, and some open only on weekends or by arrangement. Phone before you make the drive.
Hobart Bonsai Nurseries at a Glance
| Nursery | Area | Visiting | Classes | Specialty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montane Bonsai | Collinsvale (slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington) | Contact before visiting | Workshops and education | Tasmanian native bonsai; sales and services | Native bonsai and expert tuition |
| Bonsai Radcliffe Nursery | Lutana (northern suburbs) | Phone ahead; has traditionally opened on weekends | Not advertised | Long-established bonsai nursery | A wide range of finished bonsai |
| Hardware stores and garden centres | Greater Hobart | Normal retail hours | No | Mixed starter bonsai | Low-cost starter material |
Neither specialist advertises delivery online. Ask when you call.
Hobart Bonsai Nurseries Compared
Montane Bonsai, Collinsvale
The bonsai nursery and garden of Jarryd Bailey, a nationally recognised bonsai artist and demonstrator known for his work with Tasmanian native species. It sits on the northern slopes of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
- Location: Collinsvale, TAS (address given when you make contact)
- Visiting: Contact before visiting.
- Trees: Bonsai sales, with a specialty in Tasmanian natives. The nursery also has a gallery.
- Classes and services: Workshops, education and bonsai services.
- Best for: Anyone interested in Tasmanian native bonsai, and growers who want tuition from one of Australia’s best-known native bonsai artists.
- Contact: 0455 300 080 · montanebonsai.com
Bonsai Radcliffe Nursery, Lutana
A long-established bonsai nursery in Hobart’s northern suburbs, listed as trading for more than four decades.
- Location: 125 Risdon Road, Lutana, TAS 7009
- Visiting: Has traditionally opened on weekends. Phone ahead to confirm before you visit.
- Trees: A large collection of bonsai, including Chinese elm and Japanese maple.
- Best for: Buyers who want to browse a range of finished trees locally.
- Contact: (03) 6228 3633
Hardware stores and garden centres
Hardware stores and garden centres in Greater Hobart sell small starter bonsai and sometimes stock bonsai pots and tools.
- Trees: Mixed starter plants, often including Chinese elm, juniper, maple and pine. The species varies, so check the label.
- Best for: Low-cost material to practise on.
- Watch for: Junipers and pines sold as indoor plants (they’re outdoor trees), pots without drainage holes, and soil that’s too dense for bonsai.
Worth the drive: Tasmanian Bonsai Centre, Launceston
If you’re heading north, the Tasmanian Bonsai Centre at 70 New Ecclestone Road, Riverside, in Launceston is a dedicated bonsai nursery. Check its website for opening hours before you go.
Beginner-Friendly Trees and Indicative Prices
The best beginner trees for Hobart
| Tree | Why it suits Hobart | Indoors or outdoors |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese elm | Tough, cold-hardy and quick to respond to pruning | Outdoors |
| Trident maple | Hardy, colours beautifully in autumn | Outdoors |
| Japanese maple | Thrives in Hobart’s cool climate; spectacular autumn colour | Outdoors, sheltered from strong wind |
| Juniper | Hardy, frost-tolerant and long-lived | Outdoors only |
| Tasmanian natives (such as melaleuca and leptospermum) | Adapted to local conditions | Outdoors |
Cold and wind: Hobart’s frosts are no problem for maples, pines, junipers and elms, though shallow pots can freeze through on the coldest nights. Shelter trees against a wall or under cover in a hard frost. Ficus and other tropical species need to live indoors in Hobart for most of the year.
Indicative prices
| What you’re buying | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Starter bonsai, hardware store or garden centre | [confirm locally] |
| Pre-bonsai, specialist nursery | [confirm with nurseries] |
| Ready-made beginner bonsai, specialist nursery | [confirm with nurseries] |
| Workshop or class | [confirm with nurseries] |
Prices change, so check before you buy.
Value tip: The Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania’s exhibitions are a good place to buy well-priced, locally grown trees from experienced growers.
Advice, Classes and Repotting Help
Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania
Hobart’s bonsai club, and the best place for beginners to get hands-on help from experienced local growers.
- Exhibitions: The society holds an annual exhibition. In 2025 it was held at the heritage-listed Rosny Barn.
- Southern Bonsai 2026: In May 2026 the society hosted the 38th Australian National Bonsai Convention at Wrest Point in Sandy Bay, the first in Tasmania for a decade. Its public exhibition ($5 entry, under-10s free) included traders selling bonsai, handmade ceramics, suiseki stones and equipment.
- Joining: Contact the society through its Facebook page for meeting times and membership.
Classes and tuition
| Provider | Format |
|---|---|
| Montane Bonsai (Collinsvale) | Workshops and bonsai education |
| Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania | Club meetings and workshops for members |
Repotting and care
Montane Bonsai offers bonsai services. Club members can also get help repotting their own trees at workshops.
In Hobart’s cool climate, repot most species in early spring (about September to October), as buds begin to swell.
Where to see bonsai in Hobart
- The Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania’s annual exhibition, held at Rosny Barn in 2025 and at Wrest Point in 2026.
- Montane Bonsai’s gallery in Collinsvale. Contact before visiting.
Which Hobart Bonsai Nursery Suits You?
| If you are… | Try |
|---|---|
| Interested in Tasmanian native bonsai | Montane Bonsai, Collinsvale |
| Wanting expert tuition or a workshop | Montane Bonsai, or the Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania |
| Wanting to browse finished bonsai locally | Bonsai Radcliffe Nursery, Lutana |
| Visiting Launceston | Tasmanian Bonsai Centre, Riverside |
| Wanting good-value local trees | The Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania exhibition |
| On a tight budget and keen to experiment | Hardware-store starter stock, plus advice from the society |
Tips for Buying Bonsai in Hobart
- Ask for the botanical name. It tells you whether the tree lives indoors or outdoors and how to care for it.
- Play to Hobart’s strengths. Maples, pines, junipers, elms and larch thrive outdoors here. Tropical species such as ficus need to live indoors.
- Buy locally. Biosecurity Tasmania strictly controls plants, soil and growing media coming from the mainland. Many mainland sellers can’t send live plants to Tasmania, so local nurseries and club sales are the simplest option.
- Check the tree’s health. Look for firm, green foliage, new growth, no pests under the leaves, and roots that are firm rather than mushy. Deciduous trees bought in winter will be bare, so check that buds are plump.
- Check the pot drains. Every bonsai pot needs drainage holes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy a bonsai tree in Hobart?
Specialist nurseries include Montane Bonsai in Collinsvale and Bonsai Radcliffe Nursery in Lutana. Hardware stores, garden centres and the Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania’s exhibitions also sell bonsai. The Tasmanian Bonsai Centre is in Launceston.
What’s the best bonsai for a beginner in Hobart?
A Chinese elm or trident maple. Both are hardy, cold-tolerant and quick to respond to pruning outdoors in Hobart’s climate.
Can I grow Tasmanian natives as bonsai?
Yes. Tasmanian natives are increasingly popular as bonsai, and Montane Bonsai in Collinsvale specialises in them.
Is there a bonsai club in Hobart?
Yes. The Bonsai Society of Southern Tasmania runs meetings and an annual exhibition. Contact it through its Facebook page.
Can I order a bonsai from the mainland?
Often not. Biosecurity Tasmania restricts plants, soil and growing media coming into the state, so check the rules before ordering.