The Abbotsford Convent

Once known as the Convent of the Good Shepherd, the Convent provided refuge for vulnerable women, children and orphans. Nowadays, the convent building and formal gardens play host to events and festivals, workshops and classes, music and theatre performances, and in summer, outdoor cinema.

As for the gardens, at the convent's peak, its inhabitants were fed by extensive vegetable plots, orchards and farming grounds. Situated on an attractive bend of the Yarra, the rambling old site features beautiful and eery buildings, rolling lawns, secluded courtyards and a painstakingly restored formal garden dating from around 1902. It’s also free, open late, serves beer and if you want to get your hands dirty you can join the Convent’s dedicated team of gardening volunteers.