Welcome to the homepage for

M e l b o u r n e
C e m e t e r y
T o u r s*

 

Tour guides Helen D. Harris OAM and Jan Davidson have been running tours of Melbourne General Cemetery for over twenty years, and have a detailed knowledge of many of the fascinating characters of Australian history who are buried there. Their knowledge comes from many hours of research spent in libraries and the Public Record Office.

Regular tours, on different topics, are listed below. Tours last two hours, followed by refreshments, (coeliacs catered for) and cost $20 per person.  We do not charge GST.   Gift Vouchers are available.

Bookings are essential, and can be made on either (03) 9890 9288 or (03) 9872 5492. Email Helen, hdh1 at ozemail.com.au (replace the 'at' with @ and remove the spaces ) for inquiries.  Please be aware that occasionally, when thunderstorms are predicted,  we have to cancel tours at short notice – but we would always advise attendees of this.  We also have to cancel if high temperatures (above 30 degrees) are predicted, as the cemetery can become unpleasantly hot.  Please note that we do not run tours on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day because of the traffic congestion within the cemetery.

As well as these tours, special tours on a topic of your choice, can be offered to groups of five or more people, on a date selected by you. Among the groups who have used our services are genealogical and historical groups, Probus, University of the Third Age, Rotary, Apex, LAC, Red Hat Ladies and other community groups.  Smaller groups can also be catered for, at a cost of $25 per head.  Please note that parking is available within the cemetery.

*Melbourne Cemetery Tours is a registered business name.

 

 

 2008

Tours will commence at various times, and usually last around two hours; bookings are essential.

January:  Tuesday 8, 22, 29 and Sunday 6, 13, 20:  Who was Who, Part 1: Visit the graves of a wide variety of 19th century Victorian characters, from the ghost of the Princess Theatre, to the victim of one of the most sensational murder cases in our history.  The tour scheduled for the 15th January has been cancelled because of the predicted hot weather, and will take place on Thursday 17th instead.

February 3, 10, 17: Who was Who, Part 2:  More characters from Victoria’s past, including politicians, sportsmen, pioneers and Irish Fenians.

March 2, 16:  The Gentle Sex, Part 1:  Learn about some 19th century women and the varied lives they led.

March 9, 30: Medicos & Misadventures:  Hear the tales of 19th century medical men, their patients and the treatments they inflicted on the sufferers.

April 6, 20:  Creative Colonists, Part 1:  Visit the graves of journalists, artist and stage performers, all parat of the artistic and creative life of 19th century Victoria.

April 13, 27: Who was Who, Part 1: Visit the graves of a wide variety of 19th century Victorian characters, from the ghost of the Princess Theatre, to the victim of one of the most sensational murder cases in our history.

April 24 and 26:  Following requests, special tours are being run on these two mornings, on the topic of Who was Who Part 1, because of the Anzac Day holiday.  Vacancies exist for anyone who wishes to join these tours.

May 4, 25: Who was Who, Part 2:  More characters from Victoria’s past, including politicians, sportsmen, pioneers and Irish Fenians.

May 18:  Law Makers & Law Breakers: Visit the graves of both those who made the law and those who broke it.  (Tour held in conjunction with Law Week.)

June 8, 22: Who was Who, Part 1: Visit the graves of a wide variety of 19th century Victorian characters, from the ghost of the Princess Theatre, to the victim of one of the most sensational murder cases in our history.

June 15, 29: Who was Who, Part 3:  More characters from Victoria’s history, including a women’s rights activist, a cross dresser, a famous jockey, and a gold rush pioneer.  Please note that this tour will commence at the McPherson St. entrance, at the rear of the cemetery.

Tours are not conducted during the winter months of July and August.  The programme for the rest of the tour will be added to this web page shortly.

Please note that it is not necessary to have gone on Part 1 of any tour before booking for Parts 2, 3 or 4.


 

Go to:

Homepage for Helen D. Harris

Index to Women Lecturers in Victoria 1880-1905

Infant Life Protection Act Indexes

Harriland Press

Index to Missing People

Index to Wife & Child Deserters

Index to Criminal & Other Case Files

Index to Victoria Police & Police Stations

Theatrical, literary & artistic lives & lies

Link to St Kilda Cemetery Tours

Link to Friends of Brighton Cemetery Tours

Link to Friends of Boroondara Cemetery Tours

Link to Friends of Cheltenham & Regional Cemeteries Tours

 

 kc.or


 

Last updated 28 June 2008. Copyright Helen D. Harris. All Rights Reserved.