Explore gardens at historic Government House
Melbourne, Australia • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan, Feb, Dec
14°C – 26°C, january in melbourne is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, with average highs around 26°c and lows around 14°c, high crowds, peak season
14°C – 26°C, january in melbourne is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, with average highs around 26°c and lows around 14°c, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Wheelchair accessible; uneven terrain; some steps.
Wheelchair accessible; uneven terrain; some steps.
Value for money
High
Free garden tours offer excellent value for the experience.
Free garden tours offer excellent value for the experience.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Romantic Stroll
Couples loved the serene gardens and historical charm; perfect for a relaxed afternoon.
Beautiful Gardens
Visitors found the gardens stunning. Perfect for a leisurely walk together and taking photos.
Informative Tour
Couples enjoyed the guided tours, which provided interesting historical context and stories.
Limited Access
Some couples were disappointed by the limited access to the house interiors on garden tours.
Unpredictable Weather
Visitors mentioned that the weather can impact enjoyment; be prepared for all conditions.
Booking Issues
Couples found it hard to book tours; book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
from
USD 45
per_person
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
4.9
from
USD 70
per_person
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
-
Tuesday
-
Wednesday
-
Thursday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Embark on a virtual tour of Government House.
Experience the aerial vistas of Government House.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
12-20°C
Early summer brings warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall.
Early summer brings warmer temperatures and reduced rainfall.
Open
Bookings are essential; tours may be canceled in extreme weather.
Bookings are essential; tours may be canceled in extreme weather.
Recommended
December's warm weather and festive atmosphere attract many visitors. Book well in advance and be prepared for larger crowds.
December's warm weather and festive atmosphere attract many visitors. Book well in advance and be prepared for larger crowds.
January
HIGH
14-26°C
January in Melbourne is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, with average highs around 26°C and lows around 14°C. Rainfall is relatively low, making it a favorable time for outdoor activities.
January in Melbourne is characterized by warm to hot temperatures, with average highs around 26°C and lows around 14°C. Rainfall is relatively low, making it a favorable time for outdoor activities.
Open
Bookings are essential for garden tours, and spots may fill quickly due to high demand.
Bookings are essential for garden tours, and spots may fill quickly due to high demand.
Recommended
January offers warm weather ideal for exploring the Government House gardens. However, expect higher crowd levels and prices. It's advisable to book tours well in advance.
January offers warm weather ideal for exploring the Government House gardens. However, expect higher crowd levels and prices. It's advisable to book tours well in advance.
February
MEDIUM
14-27°C
February continues the warm summer trend, with average highs around 27°C and lows around 14°C. Rainfall remains low, providing excellent conditions for outdoor activities.
February continues the warm summer trend, with average highs around 27°C and lows around 14°C. Rainfall remains low, providing excellent conditions for outdoor activities.
Open
Garden tours are available, but it's recommended to book in advance due to ongoing demand.
Garden tours are available, but it's recommended to book in advance due to ongoing demand.
Recommended
February's warm weather and slightly reduced crowds make it a good time to visit the gardens. Advance booking is still advisable.
February's warm weather and slightly reduced crowds make it a good time to visit the gardens. Advance booking is still advisable.
March
MEDIUM
13-24°C
March marks the transition to autumn, with average highs around 24°C and lows around 13°C. There's a slight increase in rainfall, but conditions remain favorable for outdoor activities.
March marks the transition to autumn, with average highs around 24°C and lows around 13°C. There's a slight increase in rainfall, but conditions remain favorable for outdoor activities.
Open
Garden tours are available with more flexibility in booking compared to peak summer months.
Garden tours are available with more flexibility in booking compared to peak summer months.
Recommended
March offers comfortable weather and manageable crowd levels, making it an excellent time to explore the gardens with greater ease in booking tours.
March offers comfortable weather and manageable crowd levels, making it an excellent time to explore the gardens with greater ease in booking tours.
How to get there
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-sharing services provide direct drop-off at Government House.
Walking
Recommended
Walking from Flinders Street Station takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes through Kings Domain.
Bike
St Kilda Road features dedicated bike lanes, and major off-road routes like the Capital City Trail and Main Yarra Trail are nearby.
Bus
Several bus routes, including 246, 604, and 605, stop near Government House. The Royal Botanic Gardens stop on Domain Road is a short walk away.
Car
Limited metered street parking is available on Linlithgow Avenue and Birdwood Avenue.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required