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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Learn about the La Trobe Family's life in early Melbourne, in their simple yet elegant prefabricated cottage surrounded by a delightful garden

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.

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, 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Guided bus tours (1 morning and 1 afternoon) of the nine remaining historical cottages of Rhyll where the stories of the original residents will be shared with the participants. Morning or afternoon tea will be provided.

Be inspired on a visit to the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, where you can learn about Australia’s first and only Saint! Explore the museum with one of our guides or with our new audio tour, take time to relax in our contemplative spaces, and enjoy a cuppa with a Sister of Saint Joseph.

Playing a key role in Melbourne's cultural and artistic life since 1939, the Melbourne Athenaeum has a wealth of archives and stories. Join archivist Susie Shears while she uses key pieces from our archival collection to illustrate our historic and ongoing theatrical and literary contribution.

Join local history groups and enthusiasts in celebrating the identity of Casey and Cardinia places and people. Special events include:

- Exhibits

- Talks

- Book sales

Are you curious to discover what's inside the heritage-listed Mission to Seafarers in Melbourne's Docklands?
Explore this architecturally significant building in a free hour-long tour led by our experienced and knowledgeable volunteers.

Join members of the Furniture History Society as they discuss the renovation of the Mission's Arts and Crafts dining suite, in it's original setting and open to the public for the first time.

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.

This event aims to highlight the contribution of the veteran community to Melbourne’s built environment through the range of public art by veterans.

The works include 3D sculptures and 2D murals as well as buildings designed or sponsored by veterans as artists, architects and arts patrons.

Experience Victoria's Fire Service history.

Venture through the columns into the world of the surgeons.
You may imagine this place is all about surgical instruments but there is so much more to discover.

Princes Hill Community Centre and The Carlton Community History Group under the guidance of the Trades Hall Council Staff, present a tour of Victoria’s Trades Hall in Lygon Street, Carlton. Come and hear the unique stories behind the famous campaigns and victories.

In our first co-presentation for 2023 with Engineering Heritage Victoria, Ken McInnes will speak about the controversies surrounding the electrification of Melbourne’s suburban railway system in the early years of the twentieth century.

What do the Shrine of Remembrance forecourt, the Film and Sound Archive and the Kensington RSL all have in common? They were all built by the pioneering building company, Simmie & Co (1924-1978). A photography exhibition about this prominent building company in Melbourne and Canberra.

Join expert tour guides from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria on a guided walk through the beautiful Flagstaff Gardens – the historic heart of the City, every Monday at 11.00am and 2.00pm.

The Hon Chris Maxwell will deliver the Society’s inaugural Paul Mullaly History and Law Lecture during Law Week 2023. He has been a highly respected Justice especially known for his advocacy for individual rights.

Dr Green’s fellowship topic is very interesting and, until her current work, little researched. Dr Green has investigated the planning and construction of the first purpose-built penal and psychiatric institutions in the Port Phillip District and Colony of Victoria during the La Trobe administration

The story of 1903 tall ship Alma Doepel service during WW2 in the Australian Army as part of the Army Water Transport (AWT) division of the Royal Australian Engineers (RAE).

The Italian Carlton Self-Guided Tour, compiled by well-known historian and author Dr Celestina Sagazio, highlights Carlton’s rich Italian built and cultural heritage and is available to download from the CO.AS.IT., Melbourne website or as a hardcopy at the CO.AS.IT. Museo Italiano.

Join a Free guided tour led by Elizabeth Triarico, Manager CO.AS.IT. Italian Historical Society & Museo Italiano, in celebration of International Museums Day. Gain a special insight into the Italian Australian immigration experience, with unique stories and objects, like the Sputnik coffee machine.

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

Traverse centuries of horticultural history inside the heritage-listed Nobelius Heritage Park.

Meet the 100-year-old teddy bear living at the Emerald Museum!

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.

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.

Explore Princes Hill and hear tales both true and tall. Will you find secrets in the gravestones? Hear the roar of the crowd as your team kicks a goal? Wish you had bought that property in the seventies? Come on an urban walking adventure and share your stories.

Curious about the interred occupants of the Melbourne General Cemetery? You will be amazed at some of the stories our local historian has to share on this incredible tour.

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.

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.

A walk along the the heritage listed Upfield Railway line looking at the unique railway infrastructure and talking about the people who operated the level crossing gates until the late 1990s.

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.

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.

Footscray Park: An Edwardian Paradise

Take a guided walking tour through this wonderful Edwardian Park, to learn its history. Hear its unique story of community advocacy to save open space and create the park. Hear the work of its Curator Dave Mathews in its development and the parks stories.

The Sorrento Museum will display a pictorial record of our shared stories in sketches from the earliest days of the European settlement of the Southern Mornington Peninsula.

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.

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

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.

Queenscliff’s last lifeboat was preserved by the town and became the centrepiece of the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum. Wrecks, heroic rescues, and the lives of the lifeboat crews are part of the town’s maritime history, uncovered on short tours inside the iconic lifeboat shed perched on the pier.

Travel along Swan Bay by steam train to Lakers Siding and view six advertising posters created by Victorian Railways. While the locomotive takes water, passengers may also chat with the crew before the train returns to Queenscliff.

Stroll the beautiful heritage town of Queenscliff. Our local guide will share the unique stories hidden in the architectural gems of its Victorian past, from its colonial fort and lighthouses to grand hotels, quaint shops, and beautiful churches. Then enjoy afternoon tea chatting with your guide.

Presented by Michael Church, long-time Glenroy resident

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

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.