Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda

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Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. Parks Victoria respects the deep and continuing connection that Traditional Owners have to these lands and waters, and we recognise their ongoing role in caring for Country.

In 2013, Phillip Johnson, Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders team's ‘Australian Garden’ display became the first ever Australian entry to win at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. The display was toured by the Queen and Prince Harry and was unanimously voted ‘Best in Show’ by the judges. Now visitors can experience this stunning design through a re-creation of the display at 20 times the size of the original.

Located within the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is a permanent display, featuring an enormous Waratah sculpture, waterfall and billabong. Over 15,000 plants have been used in the design, with over 400 different Australian species. 

Built on an unused grassed area of the former Olinda Golf Course, this feature enhances the environment by introducing additional rare and endangered plant species and providing more native habitat for plants and animals. The garden also provides a fantastic opportunity for locals and tourists to connect with Australian nature and learn about native plants and sustainable landscape design.

Wander around the sealed paths and discover an amazing variety of building materials, plant shapes and beautiful vistas. Sit and listen to the frogs and birds. Discover the interpretive signs and read more about this enormous project. If you have time bring a picnic and enjoy the spacious lawn next to the stunning Boab trees. 

Remember to keep wildlife wild by not feeding them. All plants, animals and other natural features and cultural sites are protected and must not be disturbed or removed. 

This garden was brought to life with funding from the Victorian and Commonwealth governments, and philanthropic support from The People and Parks Foundation and the generosity of many wonderful individual donors.

 

Plan Your Visit

We know the community is as excited about the opening of the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda as we are. We are expecting large crowds over the coming months.  

To help you plan your visit and to get the best experience at the garden, we recommend that you: 

  • Consider if you can visit mid-week or early in the morning when the garden may be quieter. During winter and summer we also expect fewer crowds.
  • Plan for alternative parking if the main carpark is full. Parking around Olinda can be found at the Olinda Recreation Reserve (The Georgian Road), Olinda Precinct (Olinda-Monbulk Road) and the Olinda Pool and Community House (Olinda-Monbulk Road).

 
While you’re up here, don’t miss some of the other beautiful and tranquil gardens that the Dandenong Ranges have to offer. You may like to check out Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, Pirianda Garden, George Tindale Memorial Garden, RJ Hamer Arboretum and Mount Dandenong Arboretum.

Access to garden is currently via a single path that is steep (grade 3). A handrail is available to assist visitors, however if you are concerned about navigating this incline we suggest waiting until a second, more gradual path (grade 2) is opened in late 2023.  

Things To Do

 
A man with an afro wearing a leather jacket and woman wearing a cream knitted jumper walk past a tree with splendid autumn leaves.

Tours at Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

Discover the beauty of Victoria’s premier cool-climate botanic garden from the comfort of the open-air bus. Enjoy live commentary and stunning views as you wind your way through the picturesque landscapes of this 100-acre garden.
Mist@Olinda exterior

Mist@Olinda

Mist@Olinda is a stunning venue located within the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, ideal for weddings, school debutant balls or formals, christenings or wakes. The venue is well equipped with AV for corporate and conference events.
Cafe Vireya interior

Café Vireya

Café Vireya is open on Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 am to 4 pm, serving coffees, cakes, light lunches and ice creams. During the spring flowering season (September to November), Café Vireya is open 7 days a week, 10:30 am – 4 pm.
A garden path forks in two directions surrounded by autumn-coloured trees.

Pirianda Garden

With magnificent views and a backdrop of ever-changing colours, photographers and bird watchers are in for a treat at Pirianda Garden, while the lawns are perfect for spreading out with a picnic feast.
People walking through paths on a green mature European garden, surrounded by water features.

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden

Delightful all year round, choose your own adventure along the many linking paths beneath the canopy of Mountain Ash trees as you stroll through the garden.
Two people walking along a wide path surrounded by trees and undergrowth at RJ Hamer Arboretum

RJ Hamer Arboretum

Originally a pine plantation, the present-day 101-hectare Arboretum was established in the 1970s and provides a lovely place for relaxation, recreation and distant views of the Yarra Valley and the Great Dividing Range.

How to get there

Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda

The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is located at 24 The Georgian Road, Olinda.  The garden is 500m from the Olinda township along the Olinda‐Monbulk Road. Turn into The Georgian Road with the garden’s two car parks located either side of the main pedestrian entrance. The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is approximately 600m from the botanic garden entrance, on a sloping, sealed path. 
 

Need to know

Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda

Change of Conditions

Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.

  • Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden

    Spring 2023 - Visitor Information and Flowering Guide

    Spring is the peak flowering season for the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Over the 12-week spring period, the garden bursts with a variety of colour.
     
    Predicting flower blooms can be difficult, as they may not bloom at exactly the same time from year to year. The previous 12-months’ weather patterns, along with current weather conditions (heat, cold, rain & wind) affects the timing and duration of any bloom. Use the attached information (below) as a flowering guide but know there is always something new to see and discover on your next garden visit.
     
    During the spring flowering season, we expect larger crowds, especially on weekends. Consider if you can visit mid-week or early in the morning when the garden may be quieter.
     
    There is limited parking available on site. Additional parking is available next door at the Olinda Recreation Reserve, the former Olinda Golf Course, and close by at the Olinda Swimming Pool & Community House
     
    If the car parks are full, consider visiting a different site.
     
    If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the nearby Pirianda Garden, Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, George Tindale Memorial Garden or R.J. Hamer Arboretum.
     
    The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is open 7-days, 10am-4:30pm (last entry). Gates lock at 5pm.  Dogs, cats, and other pets are NOT permitted on site. Please leave bicycles, scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades at home. ‘Carry in, carry out’ all your rubbish, as bins are not provided.

    Due to the garden’s location, shape, and topography; accessibility can be challenging. While the main pedestrian paths are a wide, sealed surface, some sections are quite steep and not fully accessible for visitors with diverse needs and abilities. Unassisted wheelchair access is not recommended.
     
    The Garden Tour bus may be a better alternative for people with limited mobility. It provides a paid one-way/one-stop audio tour of the original garden (not the new Chelsea Australian Garden)
     
    Seasonal changes ensure the garden is a year-round delight!

    Attachments: Spring 2023 DRBG Flowering Guide (719KB)

 
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