Garden tour of Parliament House
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.
Date and time
Garden tours are available every second Friday. The tour starts at 2:00 pm and runs for approximately 90 minutes. Tours may be cancelled due to weather conditions.
17 February Garden Tour cancelled.
Please arrive 20 minutes before the tour start time to allow for security screening and check-in.
Group size and bookings
Numbers are limited to 20 people per tour.
Bookings are essential. To reserve a spot, call or email the tours booking office on (03) 9651 8568 or e-mail 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.
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
Phone: (03) 9651 8911
Email: info@parliament.vic.gov.au
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.
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 rear entrance on Macarthur Street.
Map
Toilets
Accessible toilets are located on the ground level and level one.
Audio loop
Audio loops are available in the chambers. These can be used in conjunction with hearing aids.
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.