Visitor Information

Site services

The Abbotsford Convent is open 365 days a year and entry is free except between 8am – 1pm on the fourth Saturday of every month when a $2 charge applies for entry to the Slow Food Farmers’ Market. 

A 15 minute loading zone is provided at gate one. All other vehicles can park for limited periods for free in St Heliers Street, or for only $4 per vehicle (allowing 24 hour parking) in the car park accessible from St Heliers Street. Gold coins are required.

Buses may drop passengers off on the corner of Clarke and St Heliers Street. Passengers will have a short walk along St Heliers Street to the entrance of the Convent. Buses may park at the end of Clarke Street for the duration of their stay.

A cash point is located on the ground floor corridor of the west wing of the Convent building, accessible via the pedestrian ramp directly to the right of the Convent Bakery.
A withdrawal limit of $200 per transaction applies.

Conditions of entry

All visitors the Abbotsford Convent are required to observe the following:
• The Convent site is a pedestrian zone;
• Dogs are welcome to accompany their owners onto the grounds and gardens of the Convent site but must be kept on a leash at all times and droppings must be picked up and removed. Other than guide dogs, animals are not permitted within the interior of any of the Convent buildings;
• Children are to remain under supervision at all times;
• All rubbish must be taken with you when you leave;
• The picking of foliage or playing in the garden beds is not permitted;
• During summer months snakes, lizards, bees and wasps are present in the garden. Please be respectful of our native wildlife;
• The use of candles, incense or fire of any kind is strictly prohibited throughout the site;
• The consumption of alcohol beyond the bounds of licensed premises is not permitted.

Visitors enter the site at their own risk. The Abbotsford Convent Foundation will not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to persons or property incurred whilst in site. By entering the site, you agree to abide by these conditions.

Opening times

The Convent site is open every day of the year from 7.30am - 10pm. The various food and beverage outlets, WellBeing practitioners and arts & cultural activities operate varying times throughout the year. Please confirm specific opening times directly with these tenants or call the Abbotsford Convent Foundation on 03 9415 3600.

Getting here... by public transport

Via Train: Victoria Park station on the Epping and Hurstbridge lines is the closest railway station to the Abbotsford Convent. Please note that some services express past Victoria Park station. Once out of the station and on Johnston St, walk east (away from the City) down Johnston St for around 12 minutes to Clarke St. Turn right into Clarke Street (the last right before the Yarra) and left into St Heliers St. The main entrance to Abbotsford Convent is on the right of St Heliers St before you reach the Collingwood Children’s farm.

Alternatively, the bus can be caught from Victoria Park Station down Johnston St rather than walk down Johnston St from the station. The bus details are below.

For further information please call Metlink on 131 638

Via Tram: Catch any tram down Victoria St Abbotsford/Richmond and get off at Nicholson St Abbotsford (or Lennox St Richmond). Walk north up Nicholson St all the way to Abbotsford St and turn right. At the end of Abbotsford St turn left into Clarke St and then right into St Heliers St. This is a 20-25 minute walk.

For further information please call Metlink on 131 638

Via Bus: From the City- the 200 City to Doncaster Shoppingtown/ Bulleen, The 201 City to Doncaster Shoppingtown/ Bulleen, and the 207 City to Doncaster Shoppingtown/ Donvale depart from Melbourne Central/ Lonsdale St in the city, run along Lygon St, Elgin St then Johnston St. Alight at Clarke Street bus stop (before Johnston Street crosses the Yarra). Turn right at Clarke St then turn left into St Heliers St. The 205 Melbourne University to Doncaster Shoppingtown begins at Melbourne University then proceeds down Elgin and Johnston St and pasts Clarke St.

For further information please call Ventura Buses on (03) 9488 2100, or call Metlink on 131 638

Getting here... by car

Via Car: The Abbotsford Convent is located at the end of St. Heliers St, Abbotsford. The easiest way to get here is to go via Johnston St then onto Clarke St then into St Heliers St (See MELWAYS Ref 44 G5).

All day parking is available in the carpark opposite the site on St Heliers St for $4 (gold coins are required). There is also a limited amount of 15 minute parking spaces on the street.

There is absolutely no vehicular access on the Abbotsford Convent site.

For more information see Melways Ref 44 G5, Whereis.com and maps.google.com.au

Getting here... by bike or foot

The Capital City cycling and walking path passes the site. St Heliers St turn-off is opposite the entrance to the Collingwood Childrens Farm.