Welcome to the City of Yarra
The City of Yarra has a diverse and multicultural heritage. There’s a lot to see over The Weekend–so clear your calendar and learn more about this vibrant community!
Across the weekend, tour the Albanian Mosque, Melbourne’s first mosque, with the opportunity to see one of five daily prayers performed by members of the congregation. Or learn more about Zero Carbon Development in the City of Yarra, and hear case studies of local private developments that have responded to the climate emergency and committed to a zero carbon performance standard.
Explore Russian House, an almost 150-year old building and home to the local Russian Community for 60+ years. A theatrical guided tour will share the colourful history of this Fitzroy landmark. Or switch to the modern and visit innovative and sustainable commercial spaces at 116 Rokeby, Today and T3, and hear from the designers of these future-focused spaces.
There are so many ways to engage with the City of Yarra. Take a tour of Rushall Park Independent Living, led by the architects responsible for a modern new addition to this 150+ year old site. Tour the iconic 1936 Cairo Flats which established a major break with earlier types of flats in Australia. These tours, guided by Cairo residents, will be very popular so book early!
Or join the KTA Apartments Walking Tour and explore four modern, multi-residential projects designed by Kerstin Thompson Architects.
Collingwood Yards reworks the institutional buildings of the former Collingwood Technical School, now home to gallery space, studios and retail. Join the Rooftop Walk and Precinct Tour to get a feel for this vibrant, repurposed space and look out across the whole of the City of Yarra!
Right around the corner, visit the Neighbourhood Justice Centre. The building dates back to 1945, but today’s service offering is thoroughly modern, integrating multiple justice services, including a multi-jurisdictional court and support services, all under one roof.
Nearby pop in and explore the racks at Artbank Collection Store, with a behind the scenes look at this incredible purpose-built collection space which houses more than 1400 artworks.
You’re also close to Yalinguth, a self-guided walking tour which explores the important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history of this area.
Not far from Peel Street Park, where public art is projected every night after dark, and from the Retracing Queer Footprints mural on Little Smith Street, which is a starting point for Queerways, one of Yarra’s many heritage walks, gives an insight into the queer history of the City of Yarra’s rainbow communities.
Tour 3CR Community Radio Station where around 120 programs are recorded weekly, including 13 different languages and 10 hours of First Nations programming. You can even jump in the studio and experience what it’s like to record.
A little further east, take a guided tour of the Good Shepherd Chapel. Architect Robert Simeoni won the 2013 National Architect Award for Heritage for his work to renovate and modernise the chapel.
While you’re nearby, swing by the 150-year-old Gleadell Street Market, open every Saturday morning for fabulous fresh produce.
Visit Hello House, a renovation of a Victorian shophouse to accommodate a family home and artist’s studio, and That Old Chestnut, a new home which seeks to maximise comfort, solar passive design and access to natural light.
Tour the nearby Industry Lanes commercial precinct and hear from the architects who have created this sought after site, home to more than 2000 employees and 1,300 square metres of retail, drinking and dining space.
If you have any time left, get know more about the heritage precincts and places in Yarra and take a heritage walk – a self guided tour!
To find out What’s On in the City of Yarra, head to their website or socials for more details.
Heritage walks in Yarra
As you explore Yarra over the Weekend, it’s a must to connect with the Leaps and Bounds Festival.
What originally began as a vibrant push to support local venues, musicians, and businesses through the quiet of winter, Leaps and Bounds Music Festival nurtures Yarra’s thriving music community by showcasing a diverse range of homegrown talent—from emerging local artists to internationally acclaimed stars.
Spanning genres from electronic to hip hop, jazz to rock, and inclusive of all age groups, Leaps and Bounds proudly promotes an environment of equality, sustainability and diversity.
Check out the full program and intersect the Open House Melbourne Weekend with some stellar tunes and rocking beats!
Leaps and Bounds Program
