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

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.

Who was the great chocolate master 'MacPherson Robertson'? He was perhaps the greatest entrepreneur Fitzroy has known. The "white factory" took up many blocks spuing out the fragrant smells of milk kisses and other favourites. Let us walk the walk and meet the man behind the nail can story.

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 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.

Learn how to search for records on the world wars and other conflicts, repatriation files, soldier settlement files and more, with Way Back When historians.

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

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.

“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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Come join us for a relaxed still life sketching session in the gallery. Sketch with others, be inspired by the exhibition on display in a charming 1890s manse. Bring your own materials (hard back sketch book preferred) and enjoy some creative time in good company.

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

Immerse yourself in the history and luxury that make Como Melbourne’s most glamorous stately home.

The National Trust and the Heritage Council of Victoria presents this opportunity for visitors of all ages to immerse themselves in Victoria’s rich history, while exploring the exciting discipline of archaeology.

A subtle uncovering of layers, Como House is transformed into an imagined dressing room, where under things are revealed in their material beauty.

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

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 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.

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.

Come on a guided tour with architectural historian and former Mayor of Stonnington, Steve Stefanopoulos OAM, to discover the magnificent features, exquisite interiors and opulent rooms of this internationally significant Toorak mansion, ending with a glass of sparkling wine.

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.

Learn the history of Gardiners Creek in this engaging and informative talk by renowned archaeologist and historian Dr Gary Presland.

Beginning at the base of the clock tower of the Malvern Town Hall, you will explore and see differently heritage places in Malvern such as the Town Hall, nearby Police Station and former Court House, Stonnington’s only bluestone house and more!

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.

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.

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 GLAAS Inc at the world premiere of 'Let the Light Shine', a 30-minute documentary that sheds new light on war by exploring the social, cultural and military history embedded in glass, especially some spectacular (rarely seen and often forgotten) stained-glass windows throughout Australia.

Enjoy a Mother’s Day morning or afternoon tea in the Museum Gallery & Museum of Karl & Slawa Horowitz-Duldig: a unique experience to view works of art and sculptures in an authentic domestic setting.

Come on a fascinating tour of selected graves in the historic St Kilda Cemetery. Be transported back 140 years to hear about
some of the people who were involved with Ned Kelly.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rippon Lea is a large 19th century mansion surrounded by 7 hectares of Victorian pleasure gardens. It is listed on the National Heritage Register as one of the finest examples of original suburban estate in Australia.

The varied landscape of Rippon Lea Estate provides a refuge to many of south-east Australia’s disappearing bird species. This tour offers birdwatching enthusiasts of all levels a new appreciation of the biodiversity of this magnificent 19th century Estate.

The trees at Rippon Lea are an important part of 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 today’s visitors and future generations.

Calling all Jam makers! It’s time to get out your jam pans, cook up a storm and enter a jar (or two) of your home made jam in the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Stone Fruit Jam and Raspberry Jam Making Competition. Show off your skills and share the story that inspires your love of jam making.

A celebration of our natural environment, gardening and sustainability.

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.

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.

Come and try traditional children's games from First Nations communities across mainland and the Torres Strait Islands. 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.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Aunty Pauline will regrettably not be able to join us on Big Country Games.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.