Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
Project status
May 2023:
- The garden is nearing completion, with a waterfall and billabong constructed, the Waratah Sculpture installed and a variety of native Australian flora planted.
- Subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions, it is expected to be open to the public in mid-2023.
- For visitor information, visit the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda park page.
Background
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 (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.
The display was toured by the Queen and Prince Harry and was unanimously voted ‘Best in Show’ by the judges.
Now, Victorians will be able to experience this stunning garden through the re-creation of the garden as a permanent display at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden in Olinda.
Project benefits
Visitors
Visitors to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden will soon be able to enjoy the award-winning garden in person, where they’ll be able to connect with nature and source inspiration for creating biodiversity and sustainability in their own gardens.
Environment
The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda will be installed on an unused grassed area of the former Olinda Golf Course. It will enhance the environment at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden by introducing rare and endangered plant species, and providing more native habitat for plants and animals.
It is expected the new environment could attract up to four species of frog to the garden pond.
Community
The garden will be a fantastic opportunity for locals and tourism alike to connect with Australian nature, and learn about native plants and sustainable landscape design.
Project funding
This project is being made possible thanks to the following funding:
$2.24 million from the Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund
$3.83 million from the Victorian Government
$340,000 in funds raised by the People and Parks Foundation
The project
This project is being delivered on Wurundjeri Country.
Landscape designer Phillip Johnson will re-create this ‘Australian Garden’ display:
- on over 7,000 square meters of a previously unused section of the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, making the new garden 20 times the size of the original display
- using more than 15,000 plants from over 400 Australian plant species – including a collection of rare and endangered species
- to showcase sustainable design and habitat creation, using solar power and water-wise design features
- to be accessible for people of all abilities.
Environmental and cultural heritage assessments will inform exactly where, when and how components of the project are delivered.
Pictured above: A sneak peek of what visitors can expect at the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda when it opens; a gorge, cascading waterfall and cool billabong.
Pictured above: A sneak peek of what visitors can expect at the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda when it opens; over 400 species of native Australian plants to marvel at and learn about. Solar power will also generate power at the garden.
Pictured above: A sneak peek of what visitors can expect at the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda when it opens; a gorge, cascading waterfall and cool billabong.
Pictured above: A sneak peek of what visitors can expect at the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda when it opens; over 400 species of native Australian plants and an accessible pathway into the garden.
Pictured above: Artist impression of what the completed garden will look like.
Project timeline
Subject to on-ground and construction industry conditions, the timeline for the project is estimated below:
Mid-2021 to April 2022: Plants grown and sourced off site (complete)
April 2022 – Works commenced on site to build the garden (underway)
Mid-2023 – Works completed and garden open for public to enjoy
This timeline will be updated as the project progresses.
Who are we working with?
Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
Access changes
There will be no access changes to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden during construction. The garden will be built on a section of the former Olinda Golf Course that is not currently accessible to the public. Once complete, the garden will be opened as a new section of the Botanic Garden.
Related information
- News October 2022: Stunning Sustainable Garden At Olinda Coming Soon
- News April 2022: World renowned garden on the way to Olinda
- Olinda Precinct Plan Project
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
FAQs
When is the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda opening to visitors?
Subject to on ground and construction industry conditions, the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is set to open to visitors in mid-2023.
Will there be any impact to public access during construction of the garden?
No. A new section of the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden will be opened to the public on completion of this project.
Will visitors need to pay to access the garden?
No, the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda will be a free public garden for everyone to enjoy.
Will the garden be accessible for people of all abilities?
The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda has been designed to be accessible for visitors with diverse needs and abilities, with DDA-compliant pathways included in the new garden. Entry paths and surrounding pathways and areas within the original Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden are not fully accessible, which should be taken into consideration when visiting.
How are you making space for this large installation – what is being replaced?
The 2017 Olinda Precinct Project extended the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden by 6.4 hectares, from the former Olinda Golf Course. The addition of this land to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden was critical to the ongoing protection and broader conservation and botanical work undertaken by Victoria’s premier cool climate botanic garden. A number of botanical projects are planned and underway in this area, including the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda, which will further expand the garden’s role in conservation and plant collection management.
