Take a Guided Tour

The Abbotsford Convent is steeped in history and interest. For over a century, the precinct housed a closed order of Good Shepherd Sisters, as well as the many hundreds of women they cared for.

Living memories have been collected from some of the women who were here; be they orphans, girls perceived to be in moral danger or those who attended the public school. The Sisters' experiences have also been recorded and we have compiled detailed historical documentation to build the comprehensive social history tour of the Abbotsford Convent.

You can experience the precinct's unique history as you walk around its 6.8 hectares and enter some of its astounding buildings.

The guided tour provides an introduction to the development of the Abbotsford Convent precinct, from its use by the Kulin people, pastoral pioneers, the Good Shepherd Sisters and La Trobe University, to the present day arts, culture and education community. See the decayed grandeur of the dramatic interiors of the iconic buildings on site and explore the lifestyles that existed during the precinct's century of operation as a closed Convent.

The Abbotsford Convent Foundation offers guided tours three times a week. Wednesday and Thursday tours are offered to pre-booked large groups (ten or more individuals) and Sunday tours are offered to individuals and smaller groups. For more information please see below...