Garden Tours at Government House are scheduled for the following dates in 2024:
- 19th January
- 16th February
- 26th February (Twilight Tour)
- 15th March
- 25th March (Twilight Tour)
- 8th April (Twilight Tour)
- 19th April
- 21st June
- 19th July
- 16th August
- 20th September
- 14th October (Twilight Tour)
- 18th October
- 15th November
- 18th November (Twilight Tour)
- 9th December (Twilight Tour)
- 20th December
Tours start at 11am and are free. Bookings are essential.
Twilight tours run during the daylight savings period and start at 5:00pm or 5:30pm.
Please read on for information on how to book.
What is included in the tour
The gardens feature magnificent lawns, specimen trees surrounded by large beds of trees and shrubs, and the Kitchen Garden. The gardens also feature ceremonial trees planted by members of the Royal Family and previous Governors.
What to expect
The tour goes for about one hour and you will need a general level of fitness.
There are some steps, small hills and uneven surfaces.
Bookings
While each tour caters for up to 30 people, there are no group bookings available.
Bookings close the day before the tour, or when the tour is full.
To book a garden tour online, please visit Eventbrite for either a morning garden tour or a twilight garden tour and select your preferred date.
On the day of the tour
- Wear casual clothes with sensible footwear.
- Bring photo ID (passport, drivers licence, student ID etc.,).
- Check in at the Government House Gatehouse 15 minutes before the tour starts.
- Entry will involve passing through a security checkpoint and bag inspection.
- Tours commence promptly at 11.00am for morning tours and 5:00pm or 5:30pm for twilight tours.
- Please arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the start time to complete security checks prior to admittance to the grounds.
Getting there
Metro Tunnel disruption
Check the Metro Tunnel website for transport disruptions as part of the tunnel works.
Public transport
You are encouraged to take public transport:
- Flinders Street Station is a 15 to 20-minute walk to Government House
- Take the St Kilda Rd/Coventry St tram - routes 3/3a, 5, 6,16, 64, 67 and 72 - and get off at the Grant Street - Police Memorial stop
Parking
Parking is not available at the House. If you drive, there is metered parking on Linlithgow and Birdwood avenues.
Cancellations
Tours can be cancelled in extreme weather or for operational reasons. We will provide you with as much notice as possible.