Portable Iron Houses
Add to ItineraryDescription
These three houses in South Melbourne are among the last 19th-century prefabricated iron buildings. With gold discovered in Victoria in 1851, accommodation was needed for the many migrants flocking to the colony. Iron houses met that need.
By 1855 South Melbourne comprised nearly 100 portable buildings, of which Patterson House is on its original site. Abercrombie House and Bellhouse House were relocated to their current sites from North Melbourne and Fitzroy.
What's On
Get an insight into life during the Gold Rush era when you visit one of the few remaining pre-fabricated iron buildings in the world.
Images: (1) Portable Iron Building, Abercrombie House. Photo: National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 2019. (2) Portable Iron Building, Bellhouse House. Photo: National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 2020. (3) Portable Iron Building, Patterson House. Photo. National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 2018. (4) Portable Iron Building, Abercrombie House. Photo: National Trust of Australia (Victoria) 2019.
Important Details
Time & Date
Sunday 28 July
Open access 10am-3pm
No bookings required
As the property is very small, please be aware that there may be a wait to get inside.
ACCESSIBILITY
None of the above - no access
Location
399 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
