The garden, Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth, will move from Chelsea to Wiltshire following this year’s show, creating what Longleat believes will be one of the UK’s few permanent Australian themed gardens linked directly to koala conservation.
An Australian inspired show garden created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is to be rebuilt at Longleat this summer beside the safari park’s koala habitat.
The new installation will sit near Koala Creek, home to the only Southern Koalas in Europe, as part of Longleat’s wider celebrations marking 60 years since becoming the first drive through safari park outside Africa.
While the original flora used at Chelsea will be replanted in Kensington Gardens, Longleat will work with the garden’s creators to source alternative planting better suited to the heavy clay soils and landscape conditions of the Wiltshire estate.
The garden has been designed using reclaimed timber, ochre toned eco concrete, natural stone and low carbon materials inspired by the colours and textures of the Australian outback.
“We are really excited to be part of this project and to give the garden a long-term future here at Longleat as part of our 60th anniversary year,” said James Dare, Head of Facilities at Longleat.
“To have an Australian inspired garden become part of the walking safari is something genuinely different for us and ties in naturally with our long-standing involvement in koala conservation work in South Australia.
“The conditions at Longleat are obviously very different from Chelsea, so we will be adapting parts of the planting palette for the Wiltshire environment while keeping the same overall atmosphere and character of the original design.”
The garden forms part of a collaboration between Journey Beyond, South Australian Tourism and Tourism Western Australia, inspired by the Indian Pacific rail journey linking Adelaide and Perth.
Designer Max Parker-Smith said the relocation would allow the project to continue beyond the five day flower show.
“The relocation plan allows the garden’s themes around conservation, climate resilience and Australian landscapes to continue long after Chelsea finishes. It also creates a meaningful permanent connection between the garden and Longleat’s conservation work.”
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 19 to 23 May, with the recreated garden expected to open at Longleat later this summer.
Notes to Editors:
About the garden: The Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth Australian garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 celebrates the Indian Pacific, one of the world’s epic rail journeys, and the nature cities of Adelaide and Perth; conveying the diversity of South Australian and Western Australian landscapes along the route.
About the South Australian Tourism Commission: The South Australian Tourism Commission invites the world to share in the simple pleasures that Adelaide and regional South Australia offer locals and guests alike. Whether it’s exploring the state’s botanic gardens and national parks with an Aboriginal elder, hiking ancient trails teeming with native wildlife, star gazing around a camp fire or indulging in a
long vineyard lunch at one of its award winning wineries; the epic South Australian landscapes form the backdrop for experiences that will live long in the memory.
About Tourism Western Australia: Walk on a Dream in Western Australia and explore the awe-inspiring attributes that make the State such a wondrous, dreamlike destination. Tourism WA’s Walking on a Dream campaign is inspired by WA’s unique Aboriginal culture and inspires holidaymakers to book their next visit to WA by showcasing the State’s dreamlike qualities – jaw-dropping landscapes, supernatural colour contrasts, otherworldly phenomena, immersive connections with authentic characters, and one-of-a-kind experiences that inspire a sense of unparalleled freedom.
About Journey Beyond: Australia’s leading experiential tourism group, Journey Beyond, is privileged to operate 20 brands spanning the country and New Zealand, connecting guests to the land, and to each other. Headquartered in Adelaide, Journey Beyond formed in 2016 and now comprises tourism brands including: iconic trains The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern, The Overland; premium small-group outback operator Outback Spirit; eco-luxury lodge Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef; aquatic adventures Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Sailaway Port Douglas, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Darwin Harbour Cruises and Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney; our tallest members, Melbourne Skydeck and Eureka 89; the historic Vintage Rail Journeys; The Telegraph Station in Alice Springs; Monarto Safari Resort; Exmouth Dive & Whalesharks Ningaloo, New Zealand coach tour specialist Grand Pacific Tours, and Voyages Tourism Australia.
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