COMING SOON – opening mid-2023

Visit the project page for project updates and timelines.

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.  

Plan Your Visit - opening soon

We know the community is as excited about the opening of the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda as we are. When it opens, we are expecting large crowds.  

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.

When the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda opens, access to garden will be via a single path that is steep (grade 3). A handrail will be 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.