Important updates from NTAV

The time has finally come to reunite with our loved ones and return to the places we love.

From today you can enjoy our gardens at Como House, which are now open for picnics and walks. Then from next week, more of our special places will re-open to visitors.

To check when your favourite places are re-opening, please see our opening hours page.

Updated Conditions of Entry

The safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority. We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everybody and conditions of entry will apply to all visitors and staff. Please review our updated Conditions of Entry for more information.

View our COVID-19 Information

View our COVID Safe Plan

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to any of our events or attractions, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings for when we re-open. Our team will be in touch with instructions shortly on all bookings. If you have any additional questions please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

In accordance with the revised Victorian state government guidelines, National Trust properties and attractions in metropolitan Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley remain closed from until restrictions have been lifted. We will provide an update when we are able to safely re-open.

Select Regional Properties to re-open from Saturday 14 August

Please note that our properties in the Geelong and Chiltern areas will re-open from Saturday 14 August.

See the opening hours listed below to plan your visit, only if you are permitted to travel in these areas as per the latest government guidelines and advice. Visitors may be required to provide ID showing your current residential address and entry may be refused if you are not a resident of regional Victoria.

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to any of our events or attractions, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings for when we re-open. Our team will be in touch with instructions shortly on all bookings. If you have any additional questions please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

Bellarine Peninsula

Barwon Park will re-open on Wednesday 18 August.

Open Wednesday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Tours run on the hour between 11am and 3pm.

Barwon Grange will re-open on Sunday 15 August.

Open Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.

The Heights will re-open on Sunday 15 August.

Open Sundays from 1pm to 4pm.

Chiltern

Lake View House will re-open from Saturday 14 August.

Open on Saturdays, 11am to 2pm

Dow’s Pharmacy will re-open from Friday 20 August.

Open on Fridays, 10am to 3pm.

In accordance with the revised Victorian state government guidelines, all National Trust properties and attractions in Victoria will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 5 August 2021 until restrictions have been lifted. We will provide an update when we are able to safely re-open.

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to any of our events or attractions, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings for when we re-open. Our team will be in touch with instructions shortly on all bookings. If you have any additional questions please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

We are happy to announce that some of our places are set to re-open this week in line with the easing of restrictions announced by the Victorian state government.

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol will re-open from this Thursday 29 July

Timed sessions will operate from 10am to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

Purchase Tickets

Rippon Lea Estate & Trust Makers’ Market

Our gardens at Rippon Lea Estate will re-open this Thursday 29 July, open daily from 10am to 4pm.

The Trust Makers’ Market will return on Sunday 8 August from 10am to 3pm.

Doll House Exhibition & Como

Doll House: Miniature Worlds of Wonder will re-open at Como House this Saturday 31 July

Timed sessions will operate from 10am to 4pm daily.

Purchase Tickets

Como Gardens: Open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm & Sunday 10am – 5pm

Como Shop: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am – 3.30pm

Regional Properties

Please see our opening hours for the latest information

Important updates

The safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority.  We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone. Please note the following protective measures and conditions of entry will apply to all visitors and staff.

Conditions of Entry:

• You must register your details with us upon entry by scanning the QR code, please download the Service Victoria app prior to your visit for a smooth check-in process
• Observe personal health and hygiene measures, including safe social distancing signage and contactless transactions
• Visitors over 12 years old must wear a face mask, both indoors and outdoors
• Please note that areas may be partially closed off to implement safety protocols

Please stay at home if any of the following apply:

• You are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath)
• You have been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19
• You (or one of your close contacts) are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared a COVID Safe Plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public.

View and download the document here.

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to any of our events or attractions, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to contact all customers. If you have any additional questions please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

In accordance with the revised Victorian state government guidelines, all National Trust properties and attractions in Victoria will be closed from 5pm on Thursday 15 July 2021 until restrictions have been lifted. We will provide an update when we are able to safely re-open our special places.

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to any of our events or attractions, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings for when we re-open. Our team will be in touch with instructions shortly on all bookings. If you have any additional questions please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

In line with the latest government guidelines, some of our properties are able to safely re-open.

Old Melbourne Gaol

The Old Melbourne Gaol is re-opening on Saturday 19 June.

Old Melbourne Gaol: Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am – 6pm

The Cluedo Experience: Open Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm

Night tours are not currently operating due to capacity limitations.

Como

The gardens will re-open from 9am on Friday 11 June

Como Gardens: Open Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm & Sunday 10am – 5pm

Como Shop: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am – 3.30pm

Doll House: Miniature Worlds of Wonder Exhibition Tuesday 22 June until Wednesday 29 August

Rippon Lea Estate

The gardens will re-open from 10am on Wednesday 16 June
Rippon Lea Estate Gardens: Open daily 10am – 4pm
The Gruffalo Trail: Open daily 10am – 4pm

Bellarine Peninsula

Our properties in Geelong will re-open on Sunday 13 June
Barwon Park: Open Wednesdays and Sundays, 11am – 4pm
Barwon Grange: Open Sundays, 1pm – 4pm
The Heights: Open on Sundays, 1pm – 4pm.

Mornington Peninsula

McCrae Homestead will re-open from 11am on Sunday 20 June

McCrae Homestead: Open Sundays, 11am- 4pm (last entry is at 3.30pm)

Chiltern

Our properties in Chiltern will re-open from 10am on Friday 11 June

Dow’s Pharmacy: Open on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am to 3pm

Lake View House: Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11am to 2pm, and the third Sunday of the month, 11am to 2pm.

Important updates

To stay track of which properties are open and due to re-open soon, you can view our property opening hours here

The safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority.  We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone. Please note the following protective measures and conditions of entry will apply to all visitors and staff. 

Conditions of Entry:
– You must register your details with us upon entry by scanning the QR code, please download the Service Victoria app prior to your visit for a smooth check-in process
– Observe personal health and hygiene measures, as well as safe social distancing signage and contactless transactions
– Please note that areas may be partially closed off to implement safety protocols

Please stay at home if any of the following apply:
– You are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath)
– You have been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19
– You (or one of your close contacts) are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19 

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared a COVID Safe Plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public. View and download the document here.

We are disappointed to announce that all National Trust properties will be closed from this evening, Thursday 27 May, in accordance with the revised government guidelines, please see the temporary measures that will be in place, affecting our properties.

• The Old Melbourne Gaol will close from 6pm today
• Rippon Lea Estate will close from 4pm today
• The gardens at Como will close from 5pm today
• All remaining properties will close from 5pm today

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to the Old Melbourne Gaol, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings for when we re-open. We will also be postponing the opening of the Doll House: Miniature Worlds of Wonder exhibition at Como House from 4 June to 11 June.

Our team will be in touch with instructions shortly on all bookings. If you have any additional questions please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

From all of us at the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), we wish you a lovely long weekend and a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate the occasion.

Please note that the annual Easter Fun Day will not be operating on Easter Sunday this year, but Rippon Lea Estate will be open as normal from 10am to 5pm.

You can check all of our Easter Opening hours in one convenient location

National Trust properties will resume their regular opening hours, as prior to the most recent lockdown.

To stay track of which properties are open and due to re-open soon, you can view our property opening hours here

The safety of our visitors and staff remain our top priority.  We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone. Please note the following protective measures and conditions of entry will apply to all visitors and staff. 

Conditions of Entry:
– Visitors over 12 years old must wear a face mask indoors and outdoors when social distancing is not possible
– You must register your details with us upon entry by scanning the QR code, please download the Service Victoria app prior to your visit for a smooth check-in process
– Observe personal health and hygiene measures, as well as safe social distancing signage and contactless transactions
– Please note that areas may be partially closed off to implement safety protocols

Please stay at home if any of the following apply:
– You are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath)
– You have been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19
– You (or one of your close contacts) are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19 

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared a COVID Safe Plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public. View and download the document here.

Following the Government directive, all National Trust properties, gardens and events in Victoria will be temporarily closed as of 5pm Friday 12 February.

If you have pre-purchased tickets to any events during this time, please know our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings. If you have any questions regarding your booking please email bookings@nattrust.com.au and keep an eye out on our website for any updates.

Please note that gatherings in the gardens at Como must be less than 15 people.

For gatherings of more than 15 people, a booking must be made via the Stables of Como on (03) 9827 6886.

To stay track of which properties are open and due to re-open soon, you can view our property opening hours here

We look forward to welcoming you to one of our special places or events very soon.

Wishing you a wonderful start to 2021.

2020 will certainly be remembered as a year for the history books. Although we missed seeing you for much of this year, your support has been felt in many ways. We thank you and wish you a joyous holiday and a fantastic new year in 2021.

Our Head Office will be closed for the festive season from Thursday 24 December 2020 until Monday 4 January 2020.

For all other property opening hours, click here.

We are thrilled to announce that the Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears Exhibition will open Thursday 3 December 2020, running until late May 2021. Ever-stylish sleuth, Miss Phryne Fisher, is ready to show off her dazzling wardrobe in one of Melbourne’s most resplendent settings. T

If you have previously purchased a ticket our team will be in contact. If you have any questions regarding your booking please contact bookings@nattrust.com.au.

We are excited to announce that the padlocks are finally coming off! The Old Melbourne Gaol will re-open on Wednesday 25 November.

Open Wednesday – Sunday

10am to 6pm

We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone. Please note the following protective measures and Conditions of Entry which apply to all visitors and staff. Facilities will be closely maintained and monitored, including the ongoing revision of hygiene protocols and the increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces. 

Updated conditions of Entry:
– Visitors over 12 years old must wear a face mask
– You must register your details with us upon entering by scanning the QR code
– Observe personal health and hygiene measures, as well as safe social distancing signage and contactless transactions
– Please note that areas may be partially closed off to implement safety protocols

Please stay at home if any of the following apply:
– You are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath)
– You have been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19 or one of your close contacts re awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19

To ensure a safe visitor experience, we’ve introduced timed entry to maintain a maximum capacity of 20 visitors per session. Tickets must be pre-booked online in advance.

At this stage, night tours and performances have not been re-scheduled, however, we hope to make further announcements in the coming weeks. 

Pre-Purchase Tickets: Click here

Our team is looking forward to welcoming you back, the Gaol is not the same without inmates in the cell blocks – even the resident ghosts are wondering where everyone went.  To receive free admission to the gaol, plus access to hundreds of National Trust properties in Australia and abroad, learn more about the benefits and become a National Trust member.

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared a COVID Safe Plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public. View and download the document here.

We are excited to announce that the gardens at Rippon Lea Estate and Como are now open.

With the re-opening of our gardens, the safety of our visitors and staff remain our top priority.  We have put measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone. Please note the following protective measures and conditions of entry will apply to all visitors and staff. 

Conditions of Entry:
– Visitors over 12 years old must wear a face mask
– You must register your details with us upon entering the gardens by scanning the QR code
– Observe personal health and hygiene measures, as well as safe social distancing signage and contactless transactions
– Please note that areas may be partially closed off to implement safety protocols, including the Gatehouse Tea Rooms at Rippon Lea Estate 

Please stay at home if any of the following apply:
– You are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough, shortness of breath)
– You have been in close contact with a person who had tested positive for COVID-19
– You (or one of your close contacts) are awaiting the results of a test for COVID-19 

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared a COVID Safe Plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public. View and download the document here.

Please note due to restrictions Rippon Lea Estate has a capacity of 4000 people. If the capacity is reached you will not be able to enter. 

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) has prepared this plan to minimise the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission occurring to stakeholders, staff, volunteers, contractors and visitors. This plan is based on a review of risks to operations, both offices, gardens and spaces open to the public.

Click HERE to view a document outlining the requirements and elements of the NTAV’s COVID Safe Plan.

It’s just a little while longer, but you can now circle the date in your diary. We are excited to announce that the gardens at Rippon Lea Estate and Como will re-open from 10 am on Wednesday 4 November.

Come and witness the splendour of spring while our gardens are at their botanical best and bursting with colour. Take a leisurely wander around acres of green space, relish a picnic lunch under a centuries-old tree, or bring the kids along to explore the Gruffalo Spotter 2 Trail at Rippon Lea Estate, with new interactive features.

If we are able to re-open prior to 4 November, you’ll be the first to hear it. Plus you can stay up to date with the latest updates and information right here on this page.

We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you in the garden soon.

National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Members are advised that the 64th Annual General Meeting will commence at 11.00am on Saturday 21 November 2020.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be a virtual AGM conducted online.

64TH AGM DETAILS

Date and Time: Saturday 21 November 2020. The meeting will start at 11:00am and close at 12:00pm.

AGM online platform: Express Virtual Meetings, link to be provided via email to Members.

For more information click here or visit www.nationaltrust.org.au/agm20

The 2019-20 Annual Report is available to download here. Members will be sent the Annual Report via email.

Our National Trust community,

Spring has come into bloom since we last spoke and although we can’t share our gardens with you right now, I can tell you that they are more spectacular than ever. Our team has remained hard at work through all the ups and downs and openings and closures of COVID-19.

The current roadmap that paves the way towards a new semblance of normal has us planning to re-open some of our gardens by late October, however, this will be subject to public health advice. Having a safe environment for our community to visit is of our utmost concern and we have enacted a range of COVID safe plans that will be rolled out across our properties when the time comes.

We know there is a renewed appreciation of our open spaces, especially with spring and summer ahead of us. We can’t wait to welcome you back and thank you for your support.

2020 has undoubtedly been a trying year for all Victorians. We wish you and your family all the very best as we begin to look forward and hope to see you all soon.

Simon Ambrose
Chief Executive Officer
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

We are disappointed to come to you with this news, but the health and safety of our visitors, staff and the community remain our top priority.

In accordance with the revised Victorian state government guidelines, please see the temporary measures that will be in place from this afternoon, affecting our properties and attractions.

• The Old Melbourne Gaol will close from 5pm today
• Rippon Lea Estate will close from 4pm today, including postponing the launch of the Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears Exhibition
• The gardens at Como will close from 5pm today
• Endeavour Fern Gully will close from 5pm today

Have you purchased tickets?
If you have purchased tickets to the Miss Fisher and The Crypt of Tears Exhibition at Rippon Lea Estate or for the Old Melbourne Gaol Cluedo Experience within the next six weeks, please know that our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings for when these experiences become available.

Our team will be in touch with further instructions shortly, but if you have any additional questions regarding your booking please email bookings@nattrust.com.au

Keep in touch
Due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, we will be providing regular updates on our website and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

We thank you for your understanding and continued support. We will continue to monitor the situation, review and update operations in line with evolving advice and keep you informed of any further developments.

We wish you, your families, friends and communities continued safety and good health and look forward to seeing you again soon.

Calling all amateur sleuths! We’re excited to announce that the Old Melbourne Gaol Cluedo Experience is opening on Saturday 27 June, for a strictly limited time.

We are thrilled to announce the opening date of the Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears Exhibition on Thursday 9 July at Rippon Lea Estate. Tickets are now available to purchase online.

Ever-stylish sleuth, the Honourable Phryne Fisher, is ready to show off her dazzling wardrobe in one of Melbourne’s most resplendent historic settings. Discover the romance and adventure of costumes designed by Margot Wilson, plus props and more from the recent cinematic release, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears.

The exhibition also includes costumes from the much-loved television series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, as well as pieces from the expanded Miss Fisher universe including the 1960’s spin off series Ms Fisher’s Modern Mysteries and the upcoming Chinese adaptation Miss S, where Phryne is reimagined as a crime-fighting sleuth in 1920s Shanghai.

In response to COVID-19, the National Trust has introduced protocols to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff and volunteers at the exhibition.

Timed-entry Booking

To manage the capacity of visitors, tickets must be pre-purchased online. Sessions run every hour on the hour from 10am until 3pm. To view the conditions of entry, please visit our website.

If you purchased your ticket prior to the postponement of the exhibition, our team will be in contact shortly with instructions on how to re-book your preferred session.

Facilities will also be closely maintained and monitored, including the ongoing revision of hygiene protocols and the increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.

Rippon Lea Estate is dressed to the nines for this special occasion, awaiting the moment we can welcome you inside the glamourous world of Miss Fisher.

Book tickets to the Miss Fisher and The Crypt  of Tears exhibition now

We are excited to announce that the padlocks are finally coming off! The Old Melbourne Gaol will re-open for the first day of school holidays on Saturday 27 June, open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Your ticket will gain you self-guided entry to the Old Melbourne Gaol and the City Watch House, as well as access to download the new audio guide app. We will also be announcing a world-first experience based on an iconic board game, which will be ready in time for the school holidays. More details to come!

In response to COVID-19, the National Trust have introduced the following protocols to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of visitors, staff and volunteers to the Old Melbourne Gaol.

Conditions of Entry

• We ask you stay at home if you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms
• Must register your first name and phone number upon entry
• Please use cards for a contactless transaction
• Must maintain a distance of 1.5m from others and follow directional signage
• Please use sanitiser and handwashing facilities
• Be aware that capacity restrictions apply
• Download the COVIDSafe App if able to do so

Facilities will also be closely maintained and monitored, including the ongoing revision of hygiene protocols and the increased cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces.

Pre-Purchase Tickets

As capacity restrictions will apply, we suggest pre-purchasing your tickets online. You can also purchase tickets upon arrival, however, there may be a wait due to capacity guidelines.

Our team is looking forward to welcoming you back, the Gaol is not the same without inmates in the cell blocks – even the resident ghosts are wondering where everyone went.

DOWNLOAD MEDIA STATEMENT

We are excited to announce that the gardens at Rippon Lea Estate and Como will re-open from Monday 1 June with added health and safety measures in place.

With crisp fresh air and magnificent autumn foliage, our gardens will help you to reconnect with nature and gently ease yourself back into the world outside.

Get the kids outdoors to see if they can spot the Gruffalo, the interactive trail takes you on a journey through the winding paths and gardens of Rippon Lea Estate using an augmented reality app. Click HERE for more information.

While our places have been closed, we have invested in the appropriate infrastructure, protocols and equipment to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our visitors, staff and volunteers for when we re-open. Including the introduction of the following measures;

• Measures to support physical distancing including directional signage and protective barriers
• Measures to help prevent contact, including cashless transactions
• Personal health and hygiene measures, such as hand sanitiser stations
• Additional monitoring and cleaning of facilities
• Areas that may be partially closed off dependant on safety protocols. Please note this includes the Gatehouse Tea Rooms at Rippon Lea Estate.

All public spaces have now changed. We share the responsibility to take care of ourselves and others. We ask that you stay at home if you are experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms, maintain a distance of 1.5m from others, regularly wash and sanitise your hands, and be aware that capacity restrictions apply to all spaces.

We support the use of the COVIDSafe App to keep our community safe and encourage all visitors to download the app, along with our staff and volunteers. More information about the app and how to install it is available here.

As the easing of social restrictions evolves, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on our properties, sites and attractions. Our buildings and events will re-open in due course, in a considered and gradual manner in line with formal guidance.

Please find more information on the National Trust website and social media, Facebook and Instagram, or to receive updates about our re-opening plans, please subscribe to our mailing list. If you have any questions regarding a booking please email bookings@nattrust.com.au.

DOWNLOAD THE MEDIA STATEMENT

The leaves have changed colour since we closed the gates to our places two months ago. As the government eases restrictions over the coming weeks, we are hopeful that we will be able to reopen some of our places in a considered and gradual manner, in line with the official state guidelines. We anticipate that our gardens will open first, with our buildings and indoor spaces following in time.

We know that everybody is eager to reconnect with nature, history and culture in Victoria, but the health and safety of our visitors, staff and volunteers remain our number one priority. Currently, we are mapping out the details on how we will do this to ensure safety and health guidelines are met. We will keep you informed. 

Thank you for your ongoing support. The past few months have been unlike anything we have ever seen, yet there have been countless examples of our shared sense of community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our heroes working on the front line in healthcare and essential services.

To receive updates about our reopening plans, please subscribe to our mailing list.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon.

To protect the health and wellbeing of our staff and members of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic, our Collections and Cultural Projects team have placed a temporary suspension on accepting new acquisitions for our collections.

If you are offering an item with a relationship to one of our properties, collections and/or places, please email our Collections and Cultural Projects team on collections@nattrust.com.au and we will respond in due course. Our team continue to work remotely and are keeping busy behind the scenes, so please be patient with our response times.

Please keep an eye on the website for when our usual acquisitions process will resume.

Dear supporter,

Following the Government directive as part of the COVID-19 response efforts, all National Trust properties in Victoria, including the Old Melbourne Gaol and gardens at Rippon Lea Estate and Como House with exclusion of the The Stables of Como Cafe are now temporarily closed.

Since 1956 the National Trust in Victoria has been actively conserving and protecting our heritage for future generations to enjoy. Our role has always been to inspire the community to appreciate and celebrate our diverse natural, cultural, social and Indigenous history.

Over the coming weeks we will be ramping up our efforts to connect digitally through our website and social media channels, to ensure our places can remain open virtually while we are temporarily closed.

As always, I want to thank you for your continued support and know that our mission will continue during these uncertain times. From myself and our team at the National Trust, we wish you, your families and friends continued safety and good health.

Warm regards,

Simon Ambrose
Chief Executive Officer
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

To our members and supporters,

This is an important update to let you know that we’ve made the difficult decision to temporarily close a number of National Trust properties in Victoria in response to advice from the Government to protect our community and support wider efforts to contain COVID-19.

Please see below a full list of these properties:
• Polly Woodside, South Wharf
• Labassa, Caulfield North
• Portable Iron Houses, South Melbourne
• La Trobe’s Cottage, The Domain
• Gulf Station, Yarra Glen
• Geelong and Bellarine Peninsula: Barwon Park, Barwon Grange, The Heights, Porarlington Mill
• Mornington Peninsula: Mulberry Hill and McCrae Homestead
• Mooramong, Skipton
• Chiltern: Lake View House, Dow’s Pharmacy, Federal Standard Printing Works
• Port Fairy: Mills’ Cottage and Mott’s Cottage

Escape outdoors 
At this stage the gardens at Rippon Lea Estate and Como including The Stables of Como Café will remain open to enjoy. Mornington Peninsula’s original rain forest, Endeavour Fern Gully is also ready to walk, seven days a week.

The Old Melbourne Gaol also remains open, however bookings have been cancelled for all night tours until May 1 and ticket holders have been fully refunded. We have increased health and hygiene measures on site in line with Government advice.

Event updates
Earlier this week we made the decision to cancel and/or postpone all upcoming events. If you have pre-purchased tickets to any of these events, please know our team is working closely with Eventbrite to process refunds and/or hold bookings. If you have any questions regarding your booking please email bookings@nattrust.com.au and keep an eye out on our website for any updates.

Australian Heritage Festival
The National Trust of Australia has cancelled the 2020 Australian Heritage Festival.  Please see the Australian Heritage Festival website for further information. Our energies will now go into planning the 2021 Festival.

What next 
Our heritage has never been so important. Whilst we navigate these unprecedented times, we wanted to take the opportunity to assure you that the Trust will continue to work behind the scenes on many exciting projects and actively advocate for the protection of our heritage for future generations to enjoy. 

Keep an eye on our website and across our social media channels to follow us on this journey.

All of us at the National Trust thank you for your support and understanding during these challenging times and wish you and your families good health.

With best wishes,

Simon Ambrose
Chief Executive Officer
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)

NATIONAL TRUST MEDIA STATEMENT 

MEDIA RELEASE

The National Trust of Australia is cancelling the 2020 Australian Heritage Festival in light of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The World Health Organization has announced that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is a pandemic. The virus is contagious between people and of particular risk to people with existing medical conditions, people with reduced immunity and people of advanced age.

The National Trust is a community organisation and we consider the health, wellbeing and safety of the community to be the utmost priority. There are members of the community at great risk from COVID-19, and public gatherings and events provide an opportunity for this virus to spread.

The theme for this year’s Australian Heritage Festival is ‘Our Heritage for the Future’ – and the National Trust of Australia looks forward to celebrating our wonderful heritage across Australia with the community in the future.

The Australian Heritage Festival will take place again in 2021, commencing on World Heritage Day which is 18 April.

The National Trust would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors and supporters of the Australian Heritage Festival, and event organisers across the country for registering your events this year.

The National Trust also thanks the community for their continued love of heritage. We will celebrate our heritage for the future in 2021.

Media enquiries:

Please direct your media enquiries to media@nattrust.com.au.

If you have enquiries from a national media outlet, please contact Lyndal Stuart on lstuart@nationaltrust.com.au or call 0400 017 330.

The National Trust of Australia (Victoria) considers the health and wellbeing of our visitors, staff, volunteers and all members of the public as paramount. After receiving advice from the Victorian Department of Health, we have made the difficult decision to cancel and postpone upcoming events while we review relevant information and await further advice from the government on coronavirus (COVID-19).

These events include:

Postponed events

• Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears Exhibition: Friday 20 March until 19 July at Rippon Lea Estate
• Vintage Clothing Sale: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March at Como House

Cancelled events 

• Heritage Apple Tree Sale and Tasting Day: Saturday 28 March at Rippon Lea Estate
• Easter Fun Day: Sunday 12 April at Rippon Lea estate
• Easter Family Day: Sunday 12 April at Mulberry Hill

If you have pre-purchased tickets to any of our Easter and Apple events full refunds will be issued through Eventbrite. If you have purchased tickets for the Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears exhibition we will hold tickets for rebooking at preferred dates when it reopens. If you have any questions regarding your booking, please contact our bookings office via email at bookings@nattrust.com.au.

Australian Heritage Festival (Update 17/03/2020)

In the interests of the health and safety of the community, the National Trust of Australia has cancelled the 2020 Australian Heritage Festival.  Please see the Australian Heritage Festival website for further information. 

Our properties remain open, for now

Although we would love to see you escape outdoors to our properties, our aim is to help curb the spread of this outbreak in Victoria. Therefore, if you have any flu-like symptoms, please prioritise your health and that of the community, rest up and re-schedule your visit for a later date. Please also note some public programming, including guided tours, may be impacted.

Keep in touch 

Due to the rapidly changing nature of the situation, we will not announce event rescheduling dates at this time, but will be providing regular updates on our website and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your continued support of the National Trust. We will continue to monitor the situation, review and update operations in line with evolving advice and keep you informed of any further developments.

Please take care and look out for yourself, family, friends and colleagues. 

Simon Ambrose

Chief Executive Officer
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)