Stories of Darebin: Guided History Tours

Next date: Saturday, 16 August 2025 | 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM

Uncover Darebin’s unique history! Join our guided history tours and hear the fascinating stories that shaped the historic Bundoora Homestead Art Centre, and the land on which it was built.

Bundoora Homestead is built on the lands of the Wurrundjeri Woi-wurrung people who have lived and shared culture on Country for tens of thousands of years. Discover the story of Bundoora Homestead Art Centre with a guided tour of this architecturally and historically significant site.

Built in 1900, the Homestead is a fourteen room, two storey Queen Anne building. The interior contains outstanding examples of architectural pyrography work and other fine craftsmanship, including several pieces of stained glass attributed to Auguste Fischer, a leader in Arts and Crafts circles and an important glass artist of the period.

The building and its later use as a psychiatric repatriation facility, has important social associations as its acquisition indicated the urgent need for accommodation and services for the care of returned service personnel.

Today, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre operates as a historic house and thriving contemporary art gallery, presenting a dynamic program of exhibitions and events.

Topics you will learn about on the tour:

• Indigenous custodianship of Country
• The commissioning and origins of the house as the Smith family home
• Unique architectural features of the Queen Anne style mansion
• The transformation of the Homestead into a convalescent farm and repatriation hospital
• The discovery of an internationally significant medical treatment
• Bundoora Homestead’s present day use as an arts and cultural facility
• Learn about the Homestead's current season of exhibitions

Following the tour, we invite you to join us for Devonshire tea in our onsite café, or stay on to explore our beautiful heritage gardens.

Date/ Time 

Saturday 16 August | 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM

Thursday 18 September | 11:30 AM-12:15PM

Saturday 18 October | 11:30 AM-12:15PM

Thursday 13 November | 11:30 AM-12:15PM

Cost

$10 tour only

$20 tour + Devonshire Tea (A pot of tea, two scones, jam & cream).

(tickets incur a booking fee)

Register here

Terms & Conditions

Please note we are a cash-free venue.

Please note for a refund of ticket to be considered we require at a minimum 48 hours notice.

Please note general photography and short videos (for social media) may be recorded at this event for promotional use only and to document this event internally. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know once you arrive.

To plan your visit and for more information please click here.

 

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Image Credit: Bundoora Homestead Art Centre 2019. Photography: Tiny Empire

When

Location

Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre, 7 Prospect Hill Dr, Bundoora, 3083, View Map