The 2026 Australia garden “Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth,” will enjoy a new lease of life in two different locations with partnerships that lean heavily into the themes of climate resilient planting and conservation. London’s Royal Parks will replant the flora from the Australian garden Kensington Gardens landscape running from Buckhill Lodge through to Queen Annes’s alcove after the show in May. This forms part of a research project between Garden Designer, Max Parker-Smith and The Royal Parks, led by Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy to understand how these plants native to Australia, respond to the impact of climate change on London’s environment. The plants which will be replanted include Callistemon (bottlebrush), Anigozanthos (kangaroo paw) and Melaleuca (paperbark).
The hard structural elements from the show garden will be used by the horticultural team at Longleat in Wiltshire; the first drive-through safari park to open outside of Africa which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. It is an organisation dedicated to conservation, sustainability and education. Its team of gardeners will create an Australian garden space to complement the estate’s existing Koala Creek experience, which is home to the only population of southern koalas in Europe.
The ‘Journey Beyond the Tracks: Adelaide to Perth’ garden at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show is a unique collaboration between Journey Beyond, the South Australian Tourism and Tourism Western Australia. Showcasing the iconic Indian Pacific rail journey and the nature cities of Adelaide and Perth which bookend this epic train adventure; the garden celebrates the native flora and fauna and shares the story of Australia’s commitment to protecting its pristine natural environments.
Garden designer Max Parker Smith comments:
“The relocation plan for the Journey Beyond the Tracks: Adelaide to Perth continues the storytelling around the themes of conservation and climate resilient planting; and forges meaningful partnerships which ensure there is a legacy to our presence at the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.”
Russell Stevens, Head Gardener, Kensington Gardens, said:
“London is seeing hotter drier summers and warmer wetter winters. We are focused on creating climate-resilient parks for future generations by taking decisive actions now to protect the beautiful natural environment within London’s eight historic Royal Parks, so that they are always here and free for everyone to enjoy.
“By replanting South Australian and Western Australian flora in Kensington Gardens, not only is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden moving, but a living laboratory is about to be built to explore how green spaces can continue to thrive
“The hope is to learn how climate-resilient planting can adapt to the capital’s microclimate and what this can mean for the city’s future nature opportunities. The plants, specifically chosen by Max from South Australia and Western Australia, are nature’s engineers, evolved over millennia to thrive on ‘thirst’ and withstand temperature swings that London is now beginning to mirror.
“These species are sustainable by nature, possessing huge root networks, leaves that minimise moisture loss, and the ability to absorb water from even the driest soil. However, this means they are also uniquely adapted to thriving during periods of heavy rain.
“It’s a fascinating partnership and we look forward to welcoming the new plants to Kensington Gardens this spring.”
James Dare, Head of Facilities at Longleat, explained:
“The new Australian garden at Longleat will include the structural elements from the Australian garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show which have all been created with sustainable materials inspired by the distinctive materials and earthy hues of the outback, including reclaimed timber, ochre-toned eco-concrete, natural stone, aggregate, and low-carbon metals grounding the garden in both environmental responsibility and regional character.
We have a long-standing partnership with the koala conservation project at Cleland in the Adelaide Hills, and we’re delighted to shine a light on that work and bring a new experience to Longleat that builds on our relationship with Australia as a destination and which celebrates our shared values.”
For more information on the Journey Beyond the Tracks: Adelaide to Perth, RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden visit RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 – Journey Beyond Rail For more information on London’s Royal Parks visit The Royal Parks | London’s Royal Parks For more information on Longleat in Wiltshire visit https://www.longleat.co.uk/
For images and further information about the partnership please contact: https://media.journeybeyond.com.au/press-rooms/rhs-chelsea-flower-show-2026/
Emma Humphreys, UK PR for the South Australian Tourism Commission – [email protected] / 07912020853 Julia Newbound, UK PR for Tourism Western Australia – [email protected] Kylie Bawden, UK PR for Journey Beyond – [email protected]
Cheree McEwin, Group Manager, PR & Communications Journey Beyond – [email protected]
