The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda represents more than just a botanical display – it’s a testament to Australian ingenuity, native plant conservation, and the journey from international acclaim to permanent local treasure.
Opening Hours: 10am-4:30pm (gates locked 5pm) daily, except Christmas and days of Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger.
The scale is breathtaking. 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. The Garden covers an area just over 1.5 acres with a dramatic 14 metre level change and features 60-70 rare and endangered species, including 22 of the incredibly ancient Wollemi Pines, some close to 3 metres in height from the Royal Botanic Gardens in NSW.
The Waratah Sculture is goergous. The sculpture’s petals are crafted from laser-cut 3mm Corten© steel, creating lightweight, permanent geometry with dappled light effects. The material naturally weathers to warm rust-orange tones that complement the surrounding native garden.
What sets this garden apart is knowing that it has been transformed from a formerly unused grassy section of the Olinda Golf Course into a rich biodiverse habitat where both native plants and wildlife can thrive.
The inclusion of endangered Wollemi Pines (living fossils once thought extinct) highlights the garden’s role in conservation education. These ancient trees, alongside dozens of other rare species, offer visitors a chance to connect with Australia’s botanical heritage in ways that few other venues can provide.
Offical Website: https://www.chelseaaustraliangardenatolinda.com.au
Local Vic 