Historical Locations & Tours

Three inner city houses in Coventry Street, South Melbourne are among the few 19th century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world. An audiovisual tour provides a comprehensive account of the importance of these buildings in the histor Read more..

Fascinating guided tours of the Abbotsford Convent arts, cultural, and education precinct occur each Sunday at 2pm. The Guided Tours provide a detail rich cultural history of the Convent and its former community – the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. Read more..

Billilla mansion was built in 1878 by Robert Wright on land owned by Nicholas Were. Brighton City Council (now Bayside City Council) purchased Billilla mansion to retain the building and sites historical significance. Although now leased by X Read more..

Every Sunday between 2.00pm and 4.00pm, historic Black Rock House situated at 34 Ebden Avenue, Black Rock is open for public inspection. Built in 1856 by Victoria's first Auditor-General, Charles Hotson Ebden as a seaside holiday residence, Black Read more..

Block Arcade is a heritage shopping arcade experience in the centre of Melbourne but going back a hundred years it was the "place to be seen". The arcade which was erected between 1891 and 1893 was designed by architect David C. Askew whose brief Read more..

Join the Friends of Boroondara (Kew) Cemetery on one of their regular Cemetery tours including Artists and their Patrons Tour, General Tour and ANZAC Cemetery Tour. General Tour 30th March 2008 2.00-4.00pm Join the Friends of Boroondara (Kew) Ce Read more..

A stone’s throw away from Melbourne’s shopping mecca and perched high above the Yarra River lies the sanctuary of Como. Boasting Melbourne’s finest garden, an inspiring historic mansion and an impressive collection of antique furniture, the prope Read more..

Captain Cook's Cottage is a cottage rebuilt in the picturesque Fitzroy Gardens to commemorate the voyages of Captain James Cook, discoverer of Australia. Captain Cook's Cottage was originally built in 1755 in Great Ayton Yorkshire England and purc Read more..

The story of Emu Bottom Homestead begins on August 30 1835, when the schooner Enterprize sailed up Port Phillip Bay. On board was the first party of settlers who built the huts of the banks of the Yarra from which the City of Melbourne then Read more..

Standing on the banks of the Yarra River next to Queen's Bridge is one of our favourite Melbourne spots, Enterprize Landing Memorial. The 'real' birthplace of Melbourne, founded on Sunday, August 30, 1835, by the settlers from the schooner Enter Read more..

Rupertswood Mansion – birthplace of the Ashes. "Rupertswood" was built as a residence for Sir William Clarke (1874) and became a power seat in the great English tradition. Furnished throughout with antiques, it now offers a series of unique Victo Read more..

Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village invites you to embark on the journey that resulted in one of Australia's most infamous maritime disasters when you experience Shipwrecked, an enthralling journey of discovery, tragedy, illusion and intrigue. A ragi Read more..

Hidden away on the north side of Mount Macedon, Fontainebleau is the former country property of the much-loved Australian painter Frederick McCubbin. 24 September 2010 marks the Centenary of the purchase of 'Fontainebleau', the McCubbin family pro Read more..

It is so sad seeing so many of Melbourne's fountains turned off because of water restrictions. One would think with a little ingenuity and a water recycling pump, many fountains (or should we say 'water features') could be back in action. Melbour Read more..

Walk ‘Marvellous Melbourne’ and experience how the discovery of gold shaped the city of Melbourne on the Melbourne Golden Mile Heritage Trail. The beauty of this tour is that you can do it yourself or join a walking tour! Guided Walking Tour Read more..

Government House is the official residence of the Governor of Victoria, and is located in the precincts of the Botanical Gardens. Tours of the state apartments of Government House commence from La Trobe’s Cottage (corner Birdwood Avenue and Dallas Read more..

PTC#30, the thirtieth machine made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) in Pennsylvania, USA, was built in 1913. The carousel was specially ordered by entrepreneur, Cozens Spencer, for his new, White City amusement park in Sydney, Australia Read more..

HM Prison Pentridge was an Australian prison built in 1850 and located in Coburg, Victoria. The prison officially closed on May 1 1997. Pentridge was often known by the nickname The Bluestone College. The prison has since been partly demolished t Read more..

February 8th-10th 2009 - The Jerilderie Letter Event commemorates the 1879 raid on Jerilderie by Ned Kelly, Dan Kelly, Steven Hart and Joe Byrne. Events include: - Letter Event Gala Dinner - Lake side market - Street parade - Re-enactmen Read more..

La Trobe's Cottage was Victoria's first Government House and home to Charles Joseph La Trobe, his wife Sophie and their children from 1839 to 1854. Charles La Trobe arrived as Superintendent of the Port Phillip district of New South Wales and bec Read more..

With its opulent architecture and largely intact decoration, Labassa in Caulfield North is one of Australia's most outstanding 19th century mansions. The house as we see it today, reflects the work of architect John Augustus Bernard Koch who was Read more..

Melbourne's historic rowing boathouses on the banks of the Yarra River in Alexandra Gardens are home to following Melbourne rowing clubs. - Banks Rowing Club [1865] - Mercantile Rowing Club [1880] - La Trobe University Rowing Club [1969] - Melb Read more..

Melbourne By Foot is a personalised adventure through Melbourne's past and present. The tour which runs daily at 1pm is led by an experienced and friendly local guide who will take you on a journey through the heart of the CBD. Whether you a f Read more..

The Melbourne General Cemetery is a large necropolis located 2 km north of the city of Melbourne in the suburb of Carlton North. The cemetery was opened on 1 June 1853, and the Old Melbourne Cemetery (on the site of what is now the Queen Victoria Read more..

We came across this fabulous collection of Historical Walks through the suburbs of Melbourne on the Adult Education Institution web site. For more information, go to Melbourne Historical Walks at Adult Education Institution web site. If you are e Read more..

A recent exhibition in Melbourne displayed a collection of Melbourne signs in a tradition of eclecticism and openness. Over 150 years of Melbourne street signs, billboards, posters and typefaces form the basis for this revealing and colourful jour Read more..

The Melbourne Town Hall is a magnificent heritage building steeped in history and located on the corner of Swanston and Collins Street, in the heart of the city. His Royal Highness Alfred Ernst Albert, Duke of Edinburgh, laid the foundation stone Read more..

The City of Melbourne offers free tours of Melbourne's historic Town Hall, one of the city's oldest and perhaps most recognisable architectural landmarks. It give visitors the chance to learn about the architectural, social and political significa Read more..

Located in Wandin, Victoria, Australia, Mont De Lancey is known to most as a historic home, garden, museum, chapel and 1880's Slab Kitchen. Take a trip back in time, we have created a authentic experience for you to enjoy, have you ever wondered Read more..

The National Trust is a unique worldwide organisation that is ‘apolitical’ and primarily funded by its members. It speaks out and campaigns for the protection of our heritage; it manages and opens the doors of many significant historic properti Read more..

The Ned Kelly Touring Route website has a wealth of information about things to do, places to see and more along the route. The Ned Kelly Touring Route is a joint initiative between the municipalities of the Rural City of Wangaratta, Benalla Rural Read more..

Looks can be deceiving because the Old Melbourne Gaol is one of Melbourne's best historical places and truly worth a visit. Learn more about Old Melbourne Gaol Opening times & Tours General Information Picture Gallery * Free Entry with Melb Read more..

The Old Treasury Building regarded as one of the finest public buildings in Australia is open 10am - 4pm every Wednesday and Sunday. Come and visit the newly reopened Old Treasury Building and its newest exhibit, Victorian Archival Treasures, pro Read more..

Today, the Outer Circle Railway is the Anniversary Bicycle Trail but it began as an ambitious rail line connecting the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne to the city. Not that I knew it as I was growing up in East Kew, but I had spent a lot of tim Read more..

Parliament House, Melbourne, has been the seat of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia, since 1855, except for the years 1901 to 1928, when it was occupied by the Parliament of Australia. It is the largest 19th century public building in Austral Read more..

Thursday 11 November 2010 | The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month commemorating the end of the Great War 1918. Originally called Armistice Day, this day commemorated the end of the hostilities for the Great War, the signing of the armist Read more..

Located only 20 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, Rippon Lea Estate is one of the last of Australia’s grand suburban estates. National Heritage listed, a visit to this treasure takes you on a journey back in time and offers a unique glimpse into the Read more..

Royal Arcade offers a whole range of interesting and delightful stores where shoppers can find a wide variety of items. You will find famous jewellery stores including antique jewellers, to food, clothing, cosmetics and game stores, and right thro Read more..

The magnificent Royal Exhibition Building, on the south side of the new Melbourne Museum complex, was completed in 1880 for Melbourne’s first International Exhibition. The first International Exhibition [1880] was a huge success, over eight months Read more..

Widely regarded as Melbourne’s oldest residence, Russell's Café stands on the corner of King and LaTrobe Street. Built in 1851, Russell's Café is one of the few remaining buildings from before the goldrush. Russell's Old Corner Shop Have you Read more..

La Trobe's Cottage will be open on Monday and Wednesday afternoons 1pm-4 pm during the September School Holidays. Children will be able to discover how Charles and Sophie La Trobe and their four young children Agnes, Nelly, Cecile and Charley liv Read more..

Schwerkolt Cottage is an original pioneer's stone cottage in a garden setting adjoining beautiful Yarran Dheran bushland park. August Schwerkolt, a German-born pioneer, was one of the first settlers to build a solidly-constructed home in the Mitc Read more..

The Separation Tree in the Royal Botanic Gardens was the location where the citizens of Victoria gathered on 15 November 1850 to celebrate the news of the separation of Victoria from New South Wales. The Separation Tree is a Eucalyptus Camaldulens Read more..

The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne's most recognisable landmark, is open from 10am to 5pm daily, except on Good Friday and Christmas Day. The Shrine can be reached from the City and Flinders Street Railway Station via St Kilda Road. On leaving F Read more..

One of Melbourne’s most well known and loved icons, 'Little Audrey’ the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign is skipping again after being restored in 2009 to its former shining glory. The animated neon sign, which is instantly recognisable as part of Melbo Read more..

The St Kilda Pavilion is an historic kiosk located at the end of St Kilda Pier built in 1904, originally known as Parer's Pavilion and later renamed Kirby's Kiosk but locally known as St Kilda Kiosk. An accurate reconstruction of the fire-destroye Read more..

The site of the Eureka Stockade lies in the eastern suburban area of Ballarat, now a major provincial city. The stockade affair is commemorated by a park reserve located some 2.5 km east of the centre of the city, on the north side of Eureka St. The Read more..

The Whitehorse Community will come together in celebration of Heritage Week, 6 - 16 September 2010. This years theme of Heritage Week is 'Whitehorse @ Work - Celebrating Our Industrial Hertitage'. Participants include Council, Box Hill Histori Read more..

Woodlands Historic Park gives visitors a fascinating glimpse of the landscape seen by settlers in the 1840's including the history-packed Woodlands Homestead. First established as a public park in 1980, it now totals over 700 ha. It contains sign Read more..