Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 16 travelers
Overview
The Abbotsford Convent now thrives as a hub of art, culture and learning, but it has a hidden history most people - Melbournians and tourists alike - don’t know about.
Step off the beaten track with She Shapes History and uncover the secret history of the Abbotsford Convent - once the largest charitable institution in the Southern Hemisphere.
Home to one of the few remaining infamous Magdalen Laundries, this site once housed and fed up to 1000 women and children at its peak. Our passionate and knowledgeable local team worked with the Abbotsford Convent Foundation to bring these stories to life, and we promise you’ll leave with a unique and thought-provoking insight into how the Convent shaped lives, communities, and the country far beyond its gates.
Important note:
This tour is suitable for adults and children aged 15+ only. The tour includes discussion of grief, loss, trauma, neglect, abuse, sexism, racism, child labour, and institutionalisation.
What's included
A follow-up list of resources and further reading on the stories shared
A group photo with your guide
Passionate & Professional Local Guide
What to expect
Abbotsford Convent
2h
We visit significant sites within the Convent’s gates, including the gardens, the farm, St Mary’s (now the Sophia Mundy Steiner School), the Logistics Building, the Magdalen Laundry and the Memorial Garden. The tour covers just over 1km in 2 hours. We move at a very relaxed pace, and there are a few chances to pause in the shade and sit down along the way. The route includes some uneven footpaths but no stairs.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
We meet at the Clarke Street Gates, near the corner of Yarra St. Please note this is not the main entrance to the Abbotsford Convent.
End point
The tour finishes out the front of the Abbotsford Convent main entrance.
Additional information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guides use headsets
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
