Meet at the PMI Victorian History Library then step into a charming adventure. Discover the tales of yesteryear's department stores on Chapel Street, Prahran. An all-inclusive experience, perfect for everyone – families, individuals, and even your beloved pets!

Port Phillip Guided Walks Program:
Discover the stories of Port Phillip (St Kilda, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne) with our free, all ages Guided Walks program. Our walks will give you fascinating insights into the places, events, lives and legends that built this City.

Come and meet Ned Kelly and his associates in three cemetery walks across Melbourne. At Brighton, you will meet the Police involved in hunting and capturing Ned Kelly after the Stringybark Creek killings, a kindly preacher, journalist & official witnesses at the hanging. Costs include afternoon tea.

Join the Brighton Cemetorians on a guided walking tour amongst the flags that commemorate the war service of the cemetery’s interred. Interesting and harrowing stories of the military officers, enlisted soldiers, Victorian Cross recipients and war nurses will be told! Costs include afternoon tea.

Learn how to navigate and find the resources available through the National Library of Australia's huge database, Trove.

Open the door to Robin Boyd’s iconic Walsh Street residence after-hours for Autumn Sunset Cocktails.

Interested in mid-century furniture? Do you have pieces that need some love?

Learn techniques and tips from one of Melbourne's leading restoration experts. Join our informative workshops at the iconic former home of Australian architect and writer, Robin Boyd.

His name has become synonymous with courage, the phrase “game as Ned Kelly” having become part of the Australian lexicon. Regardless of your viewpoint the Kelly legend is enshrined in Australian folklore. Join us to hear about some whose lives became linked with Ned’s - the Ned Kelly Connections

Three marvellous mansions in Melbourne: Labassa (Caulfield North), Villa Alba (Kew) and Mandeville Hall (Toorak) are all rare survivors of the late nineteenth century.

Come and explore the 1880s mansion's wonderful hand-painted and stencilled decorations and recreated heritage garden.

Enjoy a guided tour of the exceptional collection of stained glass at Christ Church St Kilda, revealing the stories of the windows, those who gave them and those who made them.

Discover the stories of Port Phillip with our free, all ages Guided Walks program.
Our walks will give you fascinating insights into the places, events, lives and legends that built this City.

This is a free 50 minute audio tour at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne where visitors can learn about first Royal Botanic Gardens Director, Ferdinand von Mueller.

Start from Oak Lawn Gate (formerly Gate F) any time during Gardens opening hours and use your smartphone and headphones to listen in.

This is an interactive 90 minute walk through Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne with an Aboriginal guide.

Learn about the fascinating history behind the Shrine of Remembrance followed by a guided Explorer Bus ride through Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne ending with morning tea.

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

Join a guided walk with heritage experts from Parks Victoria, Heritage Victoria, and Alliance Archaeology to learn about the management of the archaeological remains of the former Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum and the extent of what is still under our feet at this popular urban park.

Discover Melbourne’s rich heritage in the grand State Rooms of Government House

Learn to sketch with watercolour pencils and be inspired by antiques and beautiful objects. Your class will be held in Fairhall, the 1860s home of The Johnston Collection, a museum of fine and decorative arts in East Melbourne. All materials are provided and absolute beginners are welcome.

House museums often contain collection objects with dark pasts. Drawing on examples from The Johnston Collection, this lecture considers some of the ethical questions addressed by museum and gallery professionals today. What are appropriate narratives for historical collections in 2024?

To celebrate the much-anticipated Australian Royal Tour by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and the accession of King Frederik X and Queen Mary of Denmark the interiors of historic East Melbourne townhouse, Fairhall, have been theatrically reimagined by guest curator Vincent Jenden.

Join us for a captivating talk that uncovers the narratives of Australian Defence Force personnel and their families from culturally diverse backgrounds, as well as the poignant tales of immigrant Victorians who found a new home in Australia after being displaced by conflict.

Explore some of the examples of Art Deco architectural buildings throughout the local area of Boroondara

Join me for a walk down Collins Street starting from the top end at the former Treasury as we uncover colourful characters and their Collins Street connections. Be fascinated as you are introduced to these characters and discover their stories linking people and places to the sites we visit.

We’re surrounded by objects, but have you thought about how important these things are in your life? Do you have a few favourite things you absolutely can’t live without? What about others in your family? Are they important for what they do, or what they represent?

Go behind the scenes at one of Melbourne's finest buildings!

The Old Treasury Building, built during the gold rush, showcases a selection of exhibitions relating to Melbourne's past, but on this exclusive tour you will venture past the public spaces to discover the deep history of the building.

“Silently and inconspicuously” shorthand writers and shorthand educators have contributed to the legacy which has shaped the City of Melbourne. Melbourne’s central grid is brimming with shorthand history and stories, all of which contribute to the endowment shorthand has left to our society. Join this guided walk around Melbourne, and discover how these scenarios and opportunities

Exhibition of equipment, and artefacts relating to Victoria's Fire Service History.

The Scout Heritage Adventure Centre - 'Museum on Mackie' is the premier Scout Museum in Victoria. It showcases the History of Scouting in Victoria from 1908 to the present day. The Centre holds our Victorian Scouting Archives and memorabilia collection.

A short talk will be offered by the Heritage Collections Co-ordinator about the history of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and its historical collections.

The Melbourne Athenaeum Library is almost as old as Melbourne itself. Archivist, Fiona Moore, will present a lively and interactive discussion about the role the Ath has played in the cultural life of Melbourne since 1839.

Explore the different styles of Millinery (Hats) and millinery materials used spanning the decades from the Victorian Era to the current day.

Our fabulous vintage clothing boutique in Melbourne’s iconic Block Arcade.

Embark on a captivating walking journey through Melbourne's rich Jewish history with the Jewish Museum of Australia's Historical Walk, led by popular and expert guide, Terry Ashton.

Experience Melbourne in the 1850s via a unique Portable Iron House. See first hand what it was like living in Melbourne during the 1850s gold rush period. Emerald Hill was a canvas town but an entrepreneur, Robert Patterson, established a collection of Portable Iron Houses - one of which still stands on its original site.

Join Theatre Heritage Australia and Melbourne writer-researcher Simon Plant for ‘Mr Coppin’s Tour of Civil War America’ and a rare opportunity to see behind the front door of the Melbourne Savage Club, one of Australia's oldest private members’ clubs.

Visit Old Melbourne Gaol, Melbourne’s oldest and most feared prison since 1845. Now operated by the National Trust discover where some of Australia’s most infamous characters, including bushranger Ned Kelly and gangster Squizzy Taylor, spent time behind bars.

Walk in the footsteps of past female prisoners and discover what life was like for women incarcerated in Old Melbourne Gaol.

Join local historian Jeff Atkinson for a walk through some of south Carlton’s most picturesque and historic streets, and enjoy some of its grandest buildings.

After travelling 1.5 million miles across the globe, the Polly Woodside now welcomes you aboard! Built in Belfast in 1885, the three-masted cargo vessel carried coal and wheat between England and South America. You can join the crew, come aboard for a tour of the ship and discover what life was like on a tall ship sailing the seven seas.

Polly Woodside is a tangible reminder of Australia’s rich maritime history.

Join expert tour guides from the Royal Historical Society of Victoria on a guided walk through beautiful Flagstaff Gardens - the historical hears of the City.
Visitors will climb Flagstaff Hill to consider its early role as a burial ground, flagstaff signalling station and weather station.

A predominately theory based workshop at Waller House which will cover a history of glass and glazing, installation, decoration, maintenance and repair. A house tour will also form a part of this workshop.

Immerse yourself in the lives of those who lived, created, loved, and lost in Waller House.

Join local historian Jeff Atkinson from the Carlton Community History Group for a walk around this interesting part of Carlton, and hear of Princes Hill's history and the history of iconic places such as Princes Park, the Carlton Football Ground, and the Melbourne General Cemetery.

This prominent, once cutting-edge maritime infrastructure asset sits on the tip of North Wharf in Docklands. Among the heritage-listed Victoria Harbour and Yarra River, stands the Shipping Control Tower, which played a crucial role in Melbourne and Victoria’s prosperity.

Experience the romance of the bygone era of Maritime Steam in a tour over 1933 ST WATTLE to see how this historic ship served Australia’s navy using the only steam engine of its type in Australia at that time.

Take a tour Behind the Scenes of the Restoration of a 1903 Australian built wooden 3 masted tall ship. Learn about her 120 year history and the new role Alma will play in providing Youth Sail Training once complete.

Some museum objects seem to be asleep in our storage rooms. They are like secret agents.
From the extensive array of objects collected over six decades, this exhibition connects you with more than 180 secret agents. Their undercover identities slept in our store, preserved by our Society.

Take a walk with us into the history of Flemington. Led by library staff, join us as we explore Flemington -- big and small. Admire local buildings, learn about past residents, and hear quirky local anecdotes.

Visit historic Black Rock House in the city of bayside and explore the history of its inhabitants of yesteryear. 168 years ago the house was built as a family summer home. Visit and see for yourself how they lived in 1856.

Come behind the gates and doors of the historical yacht clubs and marinas, maritime operations and shipwright workshops to experience the Williamstown Maritime industry in an open house setting, with live music at clubs, guided tours and meals available for purchase and shipwrights showing their craftmanship.

Have you ever wondered where your family came from? Find out how to start your family history research today in our well-resourced Centre. We will give you a tour of our Resource Centre and a hands on session where you will discover something about your family heritage.

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 King William's Town, the original capital of Victoria, by lamp light. Steeped with history, apparitions, alleyways and lager it was once a thriving town full of colourful ladies, drunken sailors and convicts.

A guided tour of the World War II Corvette HMAS Castlemaine.

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

Get a look inside the historic Holy Trinity Williamstown vicarage, built in 1886, and recently renovated.

Learn tips on how to collate a cohesive family history from a pile of letters, documents, and photos.

Have you ever noticed those faded, flaking hand-painted advertisements clinging to the sides of buildings and old shops? These ghost signs, echoes of Melbourne's vibrant past, are more than just relics; they're portals to untold stories.

Our tours provide insights into D Division's history (Remand prison) and introduces individuals who have spent time in the prison. The tour is conducted by ex-prison officers and former Pentridge inmates.

Learn how the former Ascot Vale branch of the English Scottish and Australian Bank has been recently restored, with a heritage architect on hand to answer questions. Join the optional tour after the presentation to explore this intriguing building.

Join a panel of expert architects, designers and creatives with experience in renovating and restoring mid-century modern homes or building a house inspired by mid-century modern design. The talented panel will present images of their projects and answer questions at the completion of the discussion

Acclaimed historian, biographer and speaker Ross McMullin presents his most recent book Life So Full of Promise a multi-biography about Australia’s lost generation of World War I. "His scholarship is impeccable, he writes like an angel … and his narrative gift is Blaineyesque.” -Barry Jones

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. 

The Agnes Hansen WW1 Signature Quilt will be on display for the first time in six years.

Historic photographs from the Williamstown Historical Society collection, including Williamstown, Newport & Spotswood, alongside present-day photographs taken near the same spot.

Join us in the Heritage Room at Williamstown Library and immerse yourself in the wonders of our archive collection with favourite items curated by our Heritage Librarian and discover our new Library of Things collection.

A conversation with respected Boon Wurrung Elder Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir (Boon Wurrung/Wemba Wemba) and historian Marguerita Stephens. The authors will share their experience of collaborating on their ground-breaking work “Years of Terror: Banbu-deen: Kulin & Colonists at Port Phillip 1835-1851."

Celebrate the first major concert of the newly formed Inner West Symphony Orchestra.

The Pentridge Prison Precinct Tour will encompass not only the infamous H Division, but also the surrounding precinct where visitors can learn about the ever-changing landscape of the Prison, including sections not usually included on public tours.

This is a place that challenges and confronts, deeply connected to the social and cultural fabric of Australia. The stories within this journey are deep, unique, and expose the intricacies of prison punishment. Visitors are able to explore the former prison’s B Division and the notorious H Division. Nights tours and family-friendly tours are also offered.

An exclusive opportunity to hear from The Torch artist and Keerraaywoorrong man, Chris Austin about his artwork that is deeply influenced and informed by his own time spent behind the bluestone walls of Pentridge, followed by a live painting in the Old Warders residence.

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

If you want to know more about the wonderful history of the Moonee Ponds Junction and surrounds, join an experienced and passionate local historian who will guide you through the history of our heritage buildings and talk about changes that have taken place.

Take a guided walking tour through this wonderful Edwardian Park, to learn its heritage and history. It is the largest and most intact Edwardian park in Australia Hear its unique story of community advocacy to save open space and create the park.

Come and try traditional children's games from First Nations communities across mainland and the Torres Strait Islands with Aunty Pauline. Many of the games you see today have evolved from traditional games of the past. Stretch your body and mind as we play and learn together.

A guided walking tour around Williamstown Cemetery, one of Victoria’s oldest graveyards with local historian Brian Haynes.

Join this unique guided experience to hear the stories that shaped Bundoora.

Get a glimpse behind Jack's Magazine's imposing bluestone walls and explore its buildings, tunnels, tramways and giant earth mounds on foot. Learn about its connections to Victoria's gold mining, world wars and the local area's industrial past.

Discover some of the interesting graves and landmarks that give us an insight into the social history of 19th and 20th century Melbourne.

Newport Lakes is celebrating 40 years since it was reclaimed and rehabilitated as a stunning park and wetlands. Join author Dominique Hes and colleagues for a guided walk around the Lakes with before and after photos and stories.

Learn how to document your family history online using Ancestry Library Edition and other free resources

Join us for a fascinating talk about the history of the Moonee Ponds Creek

Connect with the history of the Schwerkolt family and see inside the German style Cottage with a guide. Learn how the stone to build the Cottage was quarried nearby and how the family used small wall openings to communicate with each other. Visit the Museum and enjoy the parklands after the tour.

Rachaeldaisy Dodd, an acclaimed Australian quilt maker and designer showcases her collection of quilts and shares stories in a Trunk Show

Learn the age-old skills of preserving food with jam and chutney making. Connect with the memories of the kitchens of parents and grandparents at a time when nearly every household had pantries filled with jars of preserved food.

Hidden Histories is a short film created as part of Better Places – Spotswood and South Kingsville. Celebrating stories of this unique area captured through listening to and filming locals to the area. This beautifully filmed little gem reminds us how a small local area can have a distinctive style and feel. Screening at the Digital Lounge at the Altona Civic Centre.

William Cooper's passionate struggle against the dispossession of Aboriginal people and the denial of their rights and his heroic fight for them to become citizens in their own country has been widely commemorated and celebrated.

The Altona Homestead provides visitors of all ages the opportunity to take a step back to the time of our early settlers to the region of Altona.

Come along and hear from other group members sharing their knowledge and skills about Family Research in a friendly and supportive environment while making use of the experience of researchers from the Altona Laverton Historical Society.

Established in 1860, the Williamstown Botanic Garden was one of Melbourne's first public gardens. Together we will explore what it takes to maintain it.

The Altona Pier Revue Exhibition features the heritage of Altona Pier through contemporary works.

The Broadmeadows Historical Museum is reopening after extensive redesign of displays, to become more Broadmeadows and district centric. Enjoy our clean more open display with designated research facilities.

Your Library invites you to attend a range of inspiring talks and this is one no different. Since it's settlement, Knox residents have built some incredible buildings. Join us to find out more about some of these historical buildings, their history and the stories.

During WWII a Prisoner of War camp was set up in Rowville to intern the local Italian migrant population. Join local author Darren Arnott to hear the history and stories, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Warrandyte Historical Society invites visitors to view an exciting new exhibition developed in collaboration with the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation exploring the connection between the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people and Warrandyte - both past and present.

A City of Greater Dandenong exhibition that celebrates, reflects and recognises the significance of trees in the local landscape over time and the essential timber industry that grew the local community. An opportunity to understand how we can sustain the tree canopy for future generations.

Are you looking for information on your English ancestors? Not sure where to look, or have hit a brick wall? Join us for an informative look at English Records - what is available and where to find them.

Visit the 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.

A soldier, parachutist, and piper, Iain Townsley served in the British Army for 25 years.
As we approach ANZAC Day, we invite you to join us to hear first-hand from Iain about his many experiences.

Embark on a layered journey into the past, intertwined with the pressing issues facing migratory birds today. Join us for illustrator and writer Sally Nansen's captivating exploration in "The Birds - A Fairy Tale," a unique glimpse into the world of a 19th-century child and a small migratory bird.

Take a guided tour and discover the interesting architectural and social history of Wyreena. The main building is 100 years old and has had three fascinating chapters: from family home to a convent and now a thriving Community Arts Centre.

See where gunpowder was made, hear how firearms changed the world, learn the history of gunpowder and the the importance of fireworks in Asian cultures.

Your Library invites you to attend a range of inspiring talks and this is one no different. Since it's settlement, Knox residents have built some incredible buildings. Join us to find out more about some of these historical buildings, their history and the stories.

Listen to stories about the cultural significance of the local seasons of Hobsons Bay and how it can inspire our life, work and play.

At which National Trust property on the Mornington Peninsula was Joan Lindsay’s book Picnic at Hanging Rock written? If you know the answer to this question, join us at Frankston Brewhouse for our don’t be caught dead pub quiz.

Join Billy Nye and the Peninsula Printmakers on a walk through the beauty and suburban landscapes of Frankston city. These linocut pieces, featuring various aspects that define Frankston, from Oliver’s Hill to Sweetwater Creek; will weave together a breathtaking and inspiring depiction of Frankston.

Witness the talent of ARIA-nominated, award-winning Indigenous singer and songwriter Emma Donovan and her band. Join us for this incredible concert where she will share stories, providing an understanding of Country and community.

Meet the Makers Hidden in the Hills! The iconic Dandenong Ranges Open Studios is back and now over two weekends! 44 artists throughout the Dandenong Ranges will open their studio doors to share their talent with the public in this inspiring family-friendly cultural event.

Glimpse is an immersive group exhibition featuring works from each of the 44 studios participating in the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios program. This collective display of local talent highlights their individual approaches to art-making whilst exploring a shared theme...Glimpse.

Join historian Eddie Tichelaar, who will draw on his wealth of knowledge and first hand experience as we learn about the history of the Montrose CFA.

Join our family history team for a fascinating look at cemeteries and the people in the graves within them. We will discover the stories of some of the people that are buried beneath the headstones in some of Australia's graveyards and cemeteries.

2024 is a momentous year in the history of Frankston High School.....the school turns 100! We would like to share some of the celebrations with the wider community. Come along and visit our museum which documents the school's development since 1924.

McClelland Gallery invite you to hear from a panel of historians who contributed to the recently published book. On Bunurong Country: Art and Design in Frankston. Learn about Frankston's fascinating connections with artists such as Daryl and Joan Lindsay, Violet Teague, Christian and Napier Waller.

A guided walk through parts of the Walter Burley Griffin designed Ranelagh Estate in Mt Eliza to learn about the history and heritage values of the estate, including an opportunity to visit the Ranelagh Club House at conclusion.

This rarely seen property offers visitors the opportunity to explore an intact 1930s Roy Grounds waterfront holiday house set amidst a faithfully reconstructed landscape of native coastal vegetation, located in the Victoria Heritage listed Ranelagh Estate designed by Walter Burley Griffin in 1924.

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.

Uncover the captivating story of two extraordinary women, Helena and Harriet Scott, whose love of nature and tremendous skill in rendering its beauty enabled them to distinguish themselves amid the male-dominated world of 19th century science. An exhibition produced by the Australian Museum.

A special tour of the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum's social history exhibition Connections: People, Place, Stories exploring intriguing links between the objects and images on display, featuring wineries and fresh produce, creatives (including Dame Nellie Melba), and ongoing First Nation culture.

A week-long event celebrating the connections in the Sherbrooke Forrest. From Traditional Owners Dreaming Story of Bullen Bullen, Indigenous Women’s workshop, Tom Tregellas Lyrebird history exhibition, Monbulk Historical Society Picnic ground colonial heritage exhibition.

Home of Artist Sir Daryl and Joan Lindsay, author of Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Bear's Castle, circa 1846, 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.

In 1878 Robert Bain, owner of the Border Hotel, gave land on a 500-year lease for a Mechanics Institute and Library. The connection between the library and the pub continues. The Berwick Mechanics Institute & Free Library still operates a free lending library on this land, close to the Berwick Inn.

Trees in the Australian Garden show the diversity of Australian plants and how they have survived over time. Learn about how plants have been adapted to the changing environment.

Join local history groups and enthusiasts in celebrating Casey and Cardinia’s shared past. 

If you are just beginning your family history, maybe you have come up against some brick walls with a certain relative, or you want to research some people in the Casey Cardinia area, come along and our volunteers will assist you with your research enquiries.

At this event we will be discussing the termination point of the Hume and Hovell expedition of 1824-5 with particular emphasis on the three days prior to reaching Port Phillip and the first three days of their return journey.

Unearth your past and share your stories at this lively event. Bring along your treasures to show expert valuers and conservators, stay and listen to guest speakers, and learn more about our local history.

This proposed site visit of Fossil Beach Mornington will be accompanied by visiting experts with knowledge and interest in the significant features.
State and Nationally important for the geology, palaeontology, cement works 1862-64 plus coastal and natural elements.

Come and take a guided tour of the restoration of an Avro Anson, our latest project at the B-24 Liberator Memorial Australia museum in Werribee. Learn how the Anson's history connects us to Australia's World War II aviation history.

Making sheep history, the Valais Blacknose are finally here in Australia and are the feature sheep breed at the Fleece, Fibre & Fancywork celebration at Gulf Station. Other rare and unusual sheep breeds will be there, together with fibre artists and crafters demonstrating lost skills and techniques.

Established in the 1850s, Gulf Station was farmed for nearly 100 years by the Bell family.

Traverse centuries of horticultural history inside the heritage-listed Nobelius Heritage Park on this special guided walking tour.

Learn how to preserve your memories in the same way museums do using digitisation. Bring one three-dimensional object to be photographed by our team of volunteers and receive archival quality image files to keep forever.

Join magician and historian Dr Jo Clyne and historian Dr David Waldron as they explore through magic Harry Houdini's life and fateful 1910 Australian trip.

As part of the Melton Heritage festival, join award-winning podcaster and musician Simon Reich as he recounts the experiences of post World-War-Two migrants in the Bonegilla Migrant Camp through interviews, video and live music.