NORWEGIAN GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING DUO SECRET GARDEN ANNOUNCES LONG-AWAITED RETURN TO AUSTRALIA WITH 2026 NATIONAL TOUR

SYDNEY, Australia - After 22 years, the Norwegian Grammy Award-winning duo behind the most recorded song of the century - "You Raise Me Up" - is finally coming home to Australia.

Secret Garden - the ethereal collaboration between composer Rolf Løvland and violinist Fionnuala Sherry - will return to Australian stages this November for their first national tour since their unforgettable Sydney Opera House performance in 2004 The Return of Secret Garden: 2026 Australian Concert Tour will traverse the continent from west to east, bringing their soul-stirring melodies to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane - five cities representing more than 70% of the nation's population.

The tour is presented Under the Honorary Patronage of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Australia, underscoring the cultural significance of this historic homecoming and the enduring ties between Norway and Australia.

Tickets for Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane are on sale now exclusively through Ticketek.com.au. Melbourne tickets are available simultaneously via Ticketmaster.com.au. Ticket prices range from $180 to $380.

A Message from the Royal Norwegian Embassy

Her Excellency Ms. Anne Grete Riise, Ambassador of Norway to Australia, warmly welcomes Secret Garden's return to Australian stages.

"Secret Garden represents the very best of Norwegian musical artistry - music that speaks to the soul and transcends borders," said Ambassador Anne Grete Riise. "Rolf Løvland's compositions, born from Norway's rich musical traditions, have touched millions of lives around the world. We are delighted that Australian audiences will once again have the opportunity to experience their extraordinary talent live."

The Story Behind the Music That Healed Millions

In an era of constant noise and digital overload, Secret Garden's music has served as a sanctuary. Their signature composition "You Raise Me Up" has been recorded by over 1,000 artists - from Josh Groban to Westlife, Il Divo to Celtic Woman - and translated into more than 40 languages. It has been performed at the Olympic Games, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, and as a tribute at the Super Bowl to an estimated 900 million viewers.

But beyond the accolades lies something deeper.

"I wrote 'You Raise Me Up' in 2001 following the sudden death of my mother," reveals Løvland. "It was never intended to be a hit - it was simply my personal expression of grief and, eventually, hope." The melody, later paired with Brendan Graham's lyrics inspired by Celtic prayer, became a universal anthem of resilience. "I've had people tell me this song helped them through cancer treatment, through the loss of a loved one, through their darkest days," says Sherry.

With over 8.5 billion streams, 6 million albums sold, 113 Platinum records, and an unprecedented 311 consecutive weeks on the Billboard New Age Chart, Secret Garden's music has quietly accompanied humanity through three decades of joy and sorrow.

A Historic Homecoming

"This tour represents something truly special for us," says Sherry. "Australia has always held a unique place in our hearts since we performed at the Sydney Opera House all those years ago. We cannot wait to reconnect."

Their 1995 Eurovision victory with "Nocturne" made history - the first and only instrumental piece ever to win the competition. Now, three decades later, audiences will experience "Song from a Secret Garden," "Sometimes When It Rains," "The Promise," and the timeless melodies that have become the soundtrack to graduations, weddings, and quiet moments of reflection.

A Concert with Purpose: The Inspiration Forest in partnership with Greening Australia

At the heart of the tour lies a deeply meaningful initiative. The tour presenter Wise N Rise has established the "Secret Garden Inspiration Forest" - a bushfire-recovery project in partnership with Greening Australia, dedicated to restoring native forests in fire-affected regions, including the Greater Blue Mountains and East Gippsland.

For every ticket sold across the five-city tour, one dollar will be donated to support the restoration of critical wildlife corridors. This ensures that the tour's legacy extends far beyond the final encore, contributing to the healing of Australia's natural landscape for generations to come.

"We believe music has the power to heal, and through this initiative, we want that healing to extend to the land itself," Løvland said. "Australia's beauty and resilience have inspired us, and we are honoured that this tour can contribute to its recovery."

Tour Dates and Tickets Information

Perth - 6 November 2026 at Riverside Theatre, PCEC
Sydney - 8 November 2026 at Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC Sydney
Melbourne - 13 November 2026 at Palais Theatre
Adelaide - 14 November 2026 at Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Brisbane - 15 November 2026 at Great Hall, BCEC

A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity

"This is not merely a concert tour - it is a cultural moment," said Benny Wang, Director of Wise N Rise Pty Ltd, the tour's presenter. "Secret Garden's music has been the soundtrack to millions of lives across generations. Their return offers Australian audiences a rare and precious opportunity to experience these masters of emotional melody live."

More and more Australians are turning live music into a social experience - whether for corporate groups, client appreciation, community gatherings, friends' nights out, or family activities. This growing trend of shared experiences makes Secret Garden's return the perfect occasion for people to come together and connect through the power of music.

Whether you discovered them on cassette in the 90s or through streaming platforms today, this concert will reveal that we all live within the same rhythm.

Don't wait. Twenty-two years is too long. This is once in a lifetime.

About Secret Garden

Secret Garden is the Norwegian Grammy Award-winning duo comprising composer/keyboardist Rolf Løvland and violinist Fionnuala Sherry. Since winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995 with "Nocturne" - the first and only instrumental piece ever to win the competition - they have released 11 albums, sold over 6 million records, and achieved 113 Platinum certifications worldwide.

About Greening Australia

Greening Australia is the nation's leading independent not-for-profit environmental organisation. Founded in 1982, it restores Australia's diverse landscapes and protects biodiversity at scale through science-led, collaborative solutions. Across millions of hectares, Greening Australia rebuilds healthy ecosystems and habitats where people and nature thrive.

About Wise N Rise Pty Ltd

Wise N Rise Pty Ltd is Australia's premier producer of world-class cultural performances, specializing in creating bespoke, high-impact events that deliver exceptional experiences for audiences and strategic value for partners.