Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda Project
The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden on Wurundjeri Country was completed and officially opened in June 2023.
For opening hours, how to get there and key visitor information visit the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda park page.
The project
In 2013, the ‘Australian Garden’, created by Landscape Designer Phillip Johnson, Horticulturalist Wes Fleming and the Trailfinders Team, was the first Australian entry to win Gold and Best in Show at the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Ten years later, Phillip Johnson has re-created his award-winning Australian Garden in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda, on Wurundjeri Country.
The new garden is over 20 times the size of the original Chelsea Flower Show build, converting a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden, supporting biodiversity and habitat creation in the area.
The garden features 15,000 plants from over 400 native Australian species, and includes rare and endangered species such as the Wollemi Pine (Wollemia nobilis), which is listed as critically endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
It showcases sustainable and water-wise design, including an integrated bushfire protection system, solar power and the clever use of recycled and reclaimed materials, such as seating which was lovingly crafted from the Dandenong Ranges storm recovery program.
It also promotes and supports biodiversity through the creation of important native habitats for native plants and animals. This will encourage wildlife such as birds, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, which are so important for the environment.
The project was made possible thanks to a $3.8 million investment from the Victorian Government, $2.2 million from the Federal Government and $340,000 in funds raised by the People and Parks Foundation.
Pictured above: Visitors can wander winding paths into remarkable vistas, and explore over 400 different species of native Australian plants.
Pictured above: The garden features a cascading waterfall, rocky gorge and billabong, providing a new home for the local frogs.
Pictured above: Visitors can enjoy a picnic on the grassed area, and admire the massive Waratah Sculpture, which is a larger re-creation from the original 'Australian Garden' exhibit.
Project funding
This project is being made possible thanks to the following funding:
- $3.83 million from the Victorian Government, including $2.83 from the Regional Tourism Investment Fund
- $2.24 million from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund
- $340,000 in funds raised by the People and Parks Foundation
Who we worked with
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Visit the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is located within the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden on Wurundjeri Country.
For opening hours, how to get there and key visitor information visit the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda park page.
Related information
- News June 2023: Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda now open
- New October 2022: Stunning Sustainable Garden At Olinda Coming Soon
- News April 2022: World renowned garden on the way to Olinda
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
- Olinda Precinct Plan Project