Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
📍 Olinda, VIC
Phillip Johnson's Chelsea gold-winning design is planted permanently in the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden.
I love this beautiful and relaxing corner of the Botanic Gardens here in the Dandenong ranges. Here you'll find a pleasing aesthetic blend of native flora with creative structures, sculptures, waterfall, stone benches, stepping stones and winding paths. The pond acts as a "reservoir"/billabong for this self sufficient water-wise garden and is home to local insects and other creatures.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for curious school-age children and nature-inclined families. The Wollemi Pine is a genuine talking point for kids who enjoy plants or prehistory. Pram-accessible paths make it workable for toddlers, and the waterfall and stepping stones hold younger children's attention well.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
Maria Ngo
10 months ago
“I love this beautiful and relaxing corner of the Botanic Gardens here in the Dandenong ranges. Here you'll find a pleasing aesthetic blend of native flora with creative structures, sculptures, waterfall, stone benches, stepping stones and winding paths. The pond acts as a "reservoir"/billabong for this self sufficient water-wise garden and is home to local insects and other creatures.”
Josh
a month ago
“The Chelsea Garden at the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden was a highlight of our visit. Our kids absolutely loved exploring the space and were especially excited to see the rare Wollemi Pine in person. It’s a beautiful, well-kept area that’s perfect for families and a great place to wander, relax, and enjoy the gardens.”
peter caust
a year ago
“We did a midday walk to soak up the 15°C sunshine warmth. The signs in this bit of the Park are excellent and there is an app you can download for a guided tour. The grass trees were particularly stunning on this visit. And the sound of the waterfall is always soothing. Such a delightful spot to sit and contemplate”
Pat Chung
11 months ago
“This Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is quite nice but I came here on 19 April aimed for some beautiful Autumn leaves. I saw the sign displayed in the garden advises that the landscape designer of this garden, Phillip Johnson, presented the original design of this garden in the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea Flower Show 2013 and won the "Gold and Best in Show". This was the first ever Australian entry to win at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show. The display was toured by the Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry and was unanimously voted ‘Best in Show’ by the judges. This Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is a re-creation of the display but 20 times bigger in size. There were very limited colourful leaves, and they were not nicely presented. Overall, it was not what I expected to see from a botanic garden situated in the hills during Autumn. After knowing this garden was re-recreation of the award-winning garden from the garden show, I believe I have come to a wrong place for Autumn leaves 🍂 😅”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Designed by Phillip Johnson for the 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where it took the top prize, this garden was reimagined within the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Native grass trees, cascading waterfalls, stepping stones and a billabong pond form a cohesive bush landscape. Kids are drawn to the Wollemi Pine — a species once known only from fossil records. A free app provides a self-guided audio tour. Combine with the nearby Alfred Nichols or rhododendron gardens for a full afternoon.
