Offering two events focused on South Melbourne during the 1850 Victorian Gold Rush, which reshaped South Melbourne’s population and architecture. South Melbourne was the site for Canvas Town which provided temporary accommodation for the influx of immigrants heading the Victorian Gold Fileds.

During the Australian Heritage Festival 2023, the ATW invites you to join us in a series of special guided tours that explores the stories of how this historical craft and contemporary art have been woven together since our establishment in 1976.

Offering two events focused on South Melbourne during the 1850 Victorian Gold Rush. The See Yup Society began in 1854 to look after the arrival of immigrants from Southern China heading for the goldfields. The Temple in Raglan Street, built in 1856, continues to serve its community today.

In a foreign climate and environment, how did women adapt to living in rural Victoria and the emerging suburbs of Melbourne. Explore and delight in the opulent tastes and styles adopted by women through the extraordinary collection of 19th century gowns in the Kew Historical Society collection.

Richmond's Industrial Heritage saw the development of a wide range of industries. These industries changed the shape of manufacturing, innovation and growth in producing goods for local and global markets. The companies provided a wide range of employment opportunities for men and women.

Shoes - Footsteps in the House of Discovery, a house tour featuring selected shoes from the National Trust collection of historical fashion, as well as footwear-related decorative arts and idiosyncratic curios.

Presented by Michael Church, long-time Glenroy resident

The Story of the Cop Who Hunted Australia’s Most Notorious Bushrangers

Meet at the PMI for a guided walk to discover the former department stores of Chapel Street, Prahran, during an accessible, family-friendly walk.

The Romance and Development of the Australian Wool Industry in the Nineteenth Century: Some Trends in the Growth of Time.

This tour of Spotswood provides an insight into the people, industries and businesses that transformed this landscape from a dairy farm to one of the Victoria's most important manufacturing hubs.

View the beauty of the first church built south of the Yarra. Hear the story of the citizens who built it and it’s early school.

Imagine a world without engineers and architects. They have done all the heavy lifting which makes our world amazing. Boroondara (Kew) Cemetery has many such magicians whose achievements will make you give thanks for their contribution to Marvellous Melbourne.

Discover the wide range of resources available on the National Library of Australia's TROVE database, and how it can be used for your own historical research.

Explore the newly restored areas of the architectural wonder that is Mandeville Hall, and discover the magnificent features, exquisite interiors and opulent rooms of this internationally significant Toorak mansion. End the tour with a glass of sparkling wine.

Come on an elevated bus ride through the City of Stonnington and discover the architectural wonders in Armadale, Malvern and Toorak, with architectural historian and former Mayor of the City of Stonnington, Steve Stefanopoulos OAM.

The launch of Hidden Histories, a short film created as part of Better Places – Spotswood and South Kingsville. Join us in celebrating stories of this unique area captured through listening to and filming those in the know… locals.

This event will introduce participants to gardeners who designed many of Melbourne's famous gardens

A rare opportunity to explore the Alfred Graving Dock within the old Naval Dockyard in Williamstown with guided tours during the festival.

An exhibition of historical maritime paintings and photos depicting recreational yachting on Hobsons Bay from the 1850s to 1930 will be displayed at Royal Yacht Club of Victoria and Seaworks Maritime Museum

Unlock the secrets of the historic Williamstown waterfront and seaport. One hour in duration and catering to all abilities, explore the historic seaport of waterfront Williamstown, as well as its hidden lanes, monuments and buildings.

A B&W episode of Homicide ‘Peter’s Party’ (1970) featuring the Point Gellibrand Pile Light and ‘The Don of Trugo’, a VCA student short, which centres on the unique game of Trugo.

Absorb at your own pace between 12 noon and 4 pm the marvels of maritime construction - tools, skills and material wood, canvas - to be found at the C.Blunt's Boatyard, five generations of shipwrights have been making and repairing wooden boats at this location since 1858.

Newport Archives is an audio walk created by Tamara Saulwick for The Substation, which contemplates the connections between time, place and memory.

Explore hidden alleyways, Victoria's oldest morgue, a forgotten burial ground and Australia's Timeball Tower in Victoria's oldest seaport.

You are invited to join us on a tour to discover stories of Williamstown's past.

Enjoy a guided tour of the recently restored Williamstown Town Hall and learn about the history of the building and the many roles it has played in the lives of the local community over the last century.

The Sons of Williamstown project involved the refurbishment of the Great War honour board in the Williamstown Town Hall and tells the stories of the Williamstown soldiers who did not return from the war. Viewing is open for a limited time at the Williamstown Town Hall.

Who were the young nurses who trained at Williamstown Hospital from 1907-1993? This exhibition curated by former nurse, Wendy Cavanagh (nee Hem) explores their many stories, photos and memorabilia from 1900 to 2022.

Discover how to research the history of your property.

Every house has a story. Would you like to find out the story of your house, but don’t know where to start? Are you interested to know when it was built, or who lived there before you? Join us for an introduction to researching the history of your house.

Join us at Rippon Lea with author, the National Trust's very own Matt Chester, as he reads from the sweetest teddy bear book going around; Elm & Willow's Adventures at Rippon Lea: Teddy Bears' Picnic.

Rippon Lea’s kitchens are a rare example of a 19th century kitchen complex. The original kitchens were enlarged in 1882 and remained in use for fifty years. Abandoned when a new kitchen was installed on the ground floor, they now offer a glimpse into the lives of those who lived “below stairs”.

Are you a jam maker? Enter a jar (or two) of your best home-made jam in Rippon Lea Estate’s Stone fruit Jam Making Competition. Show off your jam making skills and share the story that inspires your love of jam making.

The trees at Rippon Lea play an important part in the Estate’s history, with some dating back to the 1880s. This walking tour will provide a fascinating insight into the work required to manage and nurture this magnificent collection for the enjoyment of both today’s visitors and future generations.

Follow the historic, winding pathways of Williamstown Botanic Gardens through the recently rejuvenated Pinetum to discover the intriguing origins of the tree collection and the fascinating stories behind how they came to be here.

Explore the early 1900’s craze for postcard sending and collecting at the 162 year-old Williamstown Botanic Gardens

Some museum objects seem to be asleep in our storage rooms. They are like secret agents.
From the extensive array of objects collected over the past 55 years, this exhibition presents more than 150 secret agents. Their undercover identities slept in our store, preserved by our Society.

In January 1856, Christian Ziebell returned from ten-month trip to Germany with, potentially, plants in a Wardian Case. This invention by Dr. Ward changed the world and the world of plants. Enjoy a performance of The Amazing Case of Doctor Ward and entry to Ziebell's Farmhouse Museum and Garden.

This talk will explore the Art Deco movement within the City of Boroondara, looking at buildings past and present within the municipality that are significant of this architectural style.

This year marks 100 years since Bundoora Homestead was home to the Bundoora Repatriation Mental Hospital. Join this unique guided experience to hear the stories that shaped the site, hosted by ex-hospital staff members Rosemary Barnes and Arnold Wheeler.

Hear the many amazing stories of the family including their escape from World War II Vienna, to Singapore and an internment camp in Tatura in rural Victoria. How did all their possessions and artworks survive the turbulent war period to be seen in Melbourne?

This talk and workshop presented by Way Back When Historians explores the process of researching the history of your house, demonstrating what documents to use with practical case studies.

A self guided tour around the St Andrew's Brighton Historic Graveyard - a rare example of a suburban churchyard burial ground which is also of state significance. The first Christian burial was conducted in 1844 and the last burial in 1948. (Fee includes complimentary history book.)

Organ Fireworks - Dr Calvin Bowman plays a selection of organ favourites including Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Trumpet Voluntary and the Widor Toccata on the War Memorial Grand Organ at St Andrew's Brighton

Take a step back in time

From all Walks of Life they came.

Starting at the former Khyat’s Hotel in Wilson Street, we will wend our way to the Marine Hotel in New Street while revealing Brighton’s interesting history and development through significant buildings and landmarks with entertaining stories about personalities and related events.

An installation and one night only event: View fourteen Sea Flowers floating in the waters of Cherry Lake with the skyline of Altona in the background.

A panel discussion celebrating the eerie, delicate imagery of faded advertising on the brick walls of Hobsons Bay and beyond.

Visit one of Australia's original homesteads, only 20 minute drive from Melbourne.

Enjoy a guided tour of Altona’s oldest residential building, the Altona Homestead which was built around 1842.

Join us for a special StoryTime in the Park where we will explore the theme of travelling. This program is for children 0 to 8 years of age where they will get to sing-a-long with Rocking Russell, as we celebrate our diverse community and heritage.

See where gunpowder was made and the firearms which changed the world. Learn the history of gunpowder and its importance in Asia.

The Scout Heritage Victoria Museum and Archives is the premiere repository and display of Scouting memorabilia and records in Victoria with items presented in themes from the inception of Scouting in Victoria in 1908. We celebrate 50 years of Scout Heritage Victoria.

The Sounds of Silent are a 5-piece band which recreates the movie going experience of the silent movie era when many bands performed in Melbourne theatres to accompany silent movies.

Visit the recently restored Old Laverton School, taking in the history of the historic site as an early school building and rural outpost of the developing city in Melbourne’s west in the late 1880s

Visit Historic Black Rock House and learn the history of its owners and visitors of yesteryear. Learn about past original owner Charles Hotson Ebden and his work as a pastoralist. Visits from Governor La Trobe, William Wills, past owner Sir Peter MacCallum plus many other interesting characters.

Reimagining Mid-Century Homes in Beaumaris is a panel discussion between architects and homeowners on the possibilities of mid-century architecture in Melbourne's suburbs. In celebration of the release of Beaumaris Modern 2, we feature author Fiona Austin, Peter Madison and two local homeowners.

Discover the home of the Chirnside family. Located at the end of an isolated country track, you will be transported to another world. Explore the 1850s homestead, outbuildings and family secrets on this secluded, haunted 25 acre property.

On this guided tour of Schwerkolt Cottage - one of the few remaining 19th century stone settlers’ cottages in metropolitan Melbourne - hear the story of the Schwerkolt family. The Cottage features a garden, barn, smithy, wine cellar, smokehouse and museum in a bushland setting.

Join us for the Official Opening of the new Interpretive Panels in the Schwerkolt Cottage Museum that share the stories of the Whitehorse area. There will also be an opportunity for you to explore the museum and complex and enjoy afternoon tea.

Bear's Castle lies locked away in the catchment of the Yan Yean Reservoir. Access to this unique building is only granted on special occasions, and this is one of them.

Take this rare opportunity to visit the only known building of cob construction in Victoria.

'Optimism, Opportunities and Achievement': A reflection on the Centenary of Local Government in Dandenong in 1973

A storytelling afternoon over a delicious afternoon tea, listening to and sharing stories from local community members of their family experiences in City of Greater Dandenong over the centuries.

Our community objects: exploring 150 years of Local Government through objects and stories from the City of Greater Dandenong collection

Do you have family photos and videotapes gathering dust at home? Through the magic of digitisation technologies, you can quickly and easily preserve these precious memories for the future.

Since the 1980s, thousands of veterans have returned to Việt Nam. Why have they done so? What do their stories mean? And how do their journeys connect to the ANZAC legend?

Loretta Smith brings Australia's first all-girl garage to life in her book, 'Spanner in the Works'. Come along and find out more about the extraordinary life of Alice Anderson.

Join acclaimed author Amanda Hampson to discuss her recently released murder-mystery novel, 'The Tea Ladies'.

Come and hear the fascinating stories of those who walked our streets before us. Take a tour of Melton Cemetery, guided by the experts of the Melton Family History Society.

TRANSCEND is the celebration of 20 years of shared stories in the Dandenong Ranges through our Open Studios. This group exhibition presents artwork from over 50 artists that live and create in art studios throughout the hills.

Celebrating its 20th year, Dandenong Ranges Open Studios Weekend takes you down the fern lined lanes of the hills to discover the most fascinating studios. Connect with 57 artists, in 44 studios. Ignite your imagination, meet the makers in the hills and visit Dandenong Ranges Open Studios

A powerful First Nations dance performance, featuring seven performers on a stage slowly surrounded with dirt, representing the call for Land Back. SILENCE pulls the unresolved conversations about a Treaty from under the rug and slams them back on the table.

The Heritage Victoria listed Ranelagh Estate in Mt Eliza is the focus of this guided walking tour through some of its curvilinear streetscape and reserves, designed by renowned architect, Walter Burley Griffin, in 1924, with the vision of a 'garden estate' as the guiding principle.

Heritage in Hand is a program that celebrates community, creativity and a culture of giving.

Learn about the history and provenance of one of Australia’s most remarkable gardens. Created over more than 80 years by renowned philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Cruden Farm is an oasis of flowers, trees, formal gardens and lakes. A true labour of love left as a place of public recreation.