Garden tour of Parliament House

Admire an array of flora, both native and Victorian-era exotica, while you stroll along the winding pathways and wide sweeping lawns.

Join us for a free tour of these historic gardens to learn more about their evolution from Victorian-era roots to a modern Australian landscape.

Established in the 1860s, the Parliament House gardens are a classic example of late Victorian landscaped design, and act as an unlikely oasis at the top of Melbourne’s CBD. 

Dominated by Norfolk pines and Algerian oaks, the gardens are based on a William Guilfoyle design that allows visitors to meander through at a leisurely pace.

As well as learning about the history of Parliament and its garden, the experienced guide will show you highlights such as the oldest lawn bowls green in Victoria still in use, and the award-winning annex with its native rooftop garden.

 

Tours may be cancelled due to weather conditions.

 

Garden tour details

Cost Free
Accessibility Our tour will take you over multiple levels and uneven surfaces. If you require any accessibility arrangement, please let us know in your booking request.
Group size Maximum group size per booking is five
Duration 60—90 minutes
Availability Our tours run regularly on a Thursday when Parliament is not sitting. Scroll down to view availability.

A group of people walks along a path covered by trees, admiring the Parliament garden.

Book your garden tour

Bookings are essential.

We do not take bookings online.

First, you can view our availability by clicking the button below.

View available dates and times

 

Once you have found your preferred dates and times, email your booking request to tours@parliament.vic.gov.au with the following information:

Tour Garden tour
Selected date  
Number of people (up to five), and their full names  
Contact number for the booking  

 

Enquiries

  • Phone: (03) 9651 8572
  • Email: tours@parliament.vic.gov.au

 

What to bring

As the tour is outdoors, please ensure you wear appropriate footwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and bring hats or umbrellas depending on the weather.

Photo Identification is required for public tours at Parliament House. 

 

Strangers' Corridor Restaurant

Enjoy a coffee or lunch in Strangers Corridor while you are visiting Parliament House.

Bookings are essential, please Phone (03) 9651 8941 or email cateringadmin@parliament.vic.gov.au for more information and to make a booking.

 

A misty early morning on a green lawn in the garden. Chairs and tables are grouped under a large tree. Sunlight is streaming through the branches and casting shadows on the grass. A pavilion can be seen in the background, and in the distance there is three church spires.

 

Hours

Hours

8.30 am – 5.30 pm
Monday – Friday
Closed on weekends and public holidays

Address

Parliament House
Spring Street
East Melbourne Victoria 3002

Contact

Getting here

Tours depart from the Vestibule, located inside the main building entrance on Spring Street.

Public transport

By train: exit Parliament station at Bourke Street.

By tram:

  • route 35 – stop 0 (Spring St/ Bourke St)
  • routes 86, 96 – stop 9 (Bourke St/Spring St).

Parking

There is no public parking at Parliament House.

Street parking and private parking is available in surrounding streets, but please note there is limited parking on Spring Street.

Identification requirement

Anyone wishing to visit the Parliament of Victoria to attend a tour, use our catering facilities, attend an event or watch the proceedings of the two houses in the public galleries, must provide their name and address, and present one of the following forms of identification:

  • driver's licence
  • learner's permit
  • proof of age card
  • passport
  • Australian birth certificate
  • Australian citizenship certificate.

Information about the information we collect from our visitors is available fom our Privacy collection notice - visitors to Parliament House.

Security

Visitors to Parliament House are required to pass through a security checkpoint before entering the building. This involves a walk-through scanner and baggage scanning. Visitors with pacemakers should ask to be scanned using handheld scanners.

Bags must be left at reception when taking part in a tour or sitting in the public galleries.

Items you cannot bring to Parliament

The following items are not permitted at Parliament:

  • weapons
  • any types of blades (e.g. Swiss army knives, lock knives, eating utensils), hooks, scissors and other sharps
  • liquids over 100ml and glass bottles (except water)
  • any alcohol
  • 'selfie' camera sticks and camera tripods
  • chains and padlocks
  • voice recorders, two-way radios and speakers
  • handcuffs
  • any tools (e.g. screwdrivers, multi-tools, bike tools, measuring tapes, metal rulers)
  • helmets (e.g. bicycle and motorcycle)
  • whistles
  • permanent markers
  • aerosols
  • jet lighters
  • long umbrellas
  • balls and balloons
  • signs or placards
  • studded belts.

Any of the above items will be held by security for the duration of your visit. They will be returned when you leave or may be confiscated permanently in some cases.

 

More information

If you have any accessibility needs or concerns with security screening, please email security.team@parliament.vic.gov.au or call us on 03 8682 2980 ahead of time so we can accommodate your visit.

Accessibility

Accessible entrance

People with a mobility or physical disability can access Parliament House through the side entrance on Spring street or the rear entrance on Macarthur Street.

Map

Toilets

Accessible toilets are located on the ground level and level one.

Audio loop & Auslan Tour

Audio loops are available in the Legislative Chambers. These can be used in conjunction with hearing aids.

Auslan videos are provided at points of interest on our public tours by scanning QR codes with your smartphone.  

Contact

For any enquiries regarding disability access and inclusion please email disabilityaccess@parliament.vic.gov.au

Social stories

Two social stories are available to accompany a visit to Parliament House. These have been designed for visitors who are neurodiverse who may like to read them in preparation for their visit. One is intended for readers of all ages, the other focuses on the experience of a school visit to parliament house.

Parents

A baby change and feeding room is located on level two on the Legislative Assembly side. Facilities include comfortable chairs, change table, basin with hot and cold water, a fridge, and a microwave.

Privacy Collection Notice

Our Privacy collection notice - visitors to Parliament House applies to your visit to Parliament House and the parliamentary precinct.

It explains what personal information is collected when you visit Parliament House and the parliamentary precinct.

For information about our broader privacy practices and how we handle personal information generally, please refer to our Privacy Policy.