Donkey Wheel House: A Renaissance
+ Add to ItineraryDescription
Once the proud headquarters of the Melbourne Tramway and Omnibus Company, this iconic building was designed in 1891 by Twentyman and Askew in a striking Venetian Gothic style. It stands as a powerful reminder of Melbourne’s bold beginnings in public transport—at the time of its construction, our tramway system was among the largest in the world. Today, Swanston Street hosts the busiest tram corridor on the planet, carrying around 200,000 people every day. And this is where the magic began 133 years ago.
By 2008, the building had fallen into disrepair. Largely vacant, non-compliant and forgotten, it was destined to become a car park or yet another hotel. That is, until the Donkey Wheel Charitable Trust stepped in. Outbidding developers and dreamers alike, the trust embarked on an ambitious journey to restore and reimagine this extraordinary place. Their vision? A centre of gravity for changemakers. A home where people and organisations working for a better world could connect, share, and grow.
Today, we honour the spirit of innovation that pulses through these double brick walls—from its tramway origins in 1891, through its rebirth in 2008, and now as it enters a renaissance era for the changemakers of tomorrow.
What's On
Join us for short heritage tours exploring the building’s architectural gems and colourful past. Peruse an art exhibition by Jump Left on the Ground floor before ending the tour in our catacomb-style basement, where a further evocative art exhibition by Children’s Ground awaits.
In celebration of Donkey Wheel House’s renaissance, enjoy outdoor live performances by theatre and dance collectives (weather permitting), grab some street food, sip something delicious from local vendors, and settle in for an experience that stirs the senses and celebrates creativity.
In Collaboration With:
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The Salsa Foundation is Melbourne’s leading Latin dance school, welcoming thousands of students to experience the joy of salsa, bachata, and Latin dance each year. With a passion for building community through movement, TSF offers vibrant, beginner-friendly classes and performances that inspire connection, confidence, and pure fun.
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Children’s Ground is a First Nations nonprofit organisation led by First Nations communities. We focus on prevention, early intervention and empowerment rather than crisis and deficit. We are implementing a system that recognises and privileges First Nations governance, solutions and systems of knowledge, complemented by western and global practice.
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Jump Left is an arts agency and producer creating pathways for Australian artists with diverse perspectives and lived experiences. We foster career development, curate exhibitions, and manage projects that amplify overlooked voices in the arts landscape.
Images: (1-6) Donkey Wheel House. All photos: Impact Neighbourhoods International Pty Ltd
Important Details
Tour/event summary information
Saturday 26 July + Sunday 27 July
Basement and Ground Floor Gallery open to public 10am—4pm
Building tours run every half hour from 10am—4pm
Running for 30 minutes in groups of 50
No bookings required
Dance Performances running every hour from 11am—3pm
Please note: this is a public performance outdoors
No bookings required
Roving Theatre Performance running 11am—12.30pm
No bookings required
Bookings
No bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Meeting Point
Enter via 673 Bourke Street, Melbourne—tours will leave from ground floor lobby.
Accessibility
Partially wheelchair accessible, Elevator access, Accessible bathroom
The building is only partially accessible due to its heritage nature. The elevator will accommodate most mobility devices, but is not wide enough to permit all mobility devices, such as high-dependency wheelchairs that may be wide, or large prams. Most standard wheelchairs should fit. Access to the basement is via stairs only.
