Sunday Afternoon History Stroll in the Park

Andrew Lemon will take a small group of RHSV Members on a leisurely history walk through the beautiful Flagstaff Gardens – the historic heart of Melbourne – on the last Sunday of February. We will stray only slightly to look at the buildings around the perimeter of the Gardens including the former Royal Mint, nineteenth-century buildings on King Street, St James’s Old Cathedral, terrace houses in Dudley Street and the site of the former Old Melbourne Cemetery at the Queen Victoria Market. We’ll climb to the highest point on Flagstaff Hill to consider its place in Melbourne’s topography and pre-European history as well as its early role as burial ground, flagstaff signalling station, and magnetic and meteorolgical observatory. We’ll visit the Pioneers’ Memorial, the Separation Monument and sundial, see the bowling green and tennis pavilion, and identify some of the heritage-listed trees in the gardens.

We will conclude the walk with a cup of tea or coffee at the Radisson on Flagstaff opposite the RHSV. The walk begins at 2pm sharp from outside the RHSV at 239 A’Beckett Street and concludes by 4pm. Estimated total walking distance 1 to 2 kilometres. Minimum 8 participants, maximum 22. Please consider protection against the sun, heat or rain and have appropriate footwear: the walk would be cancelled only in the prospect of extreme weather, so please supply a telephone contact number when you make your booking. Note also that the underground Flagstaff Station is not open on Sunday. Melbourne Central is a walk of two blocks to the RHSV. Sunday car parking available at QV Market at $5.00 for the first 2 hours, $3.00 per hour or part thereafter.

Bookings: Please note that bookings are required, including free events. If you have any queries please phone (03) 9326 9288 or email bookings@historyvictoria.org.au.