Abbotsford Convent

Went to Abbotsford Convent recently for a walk in the afternoon and had a fantastic time! If you enjoy art, gardens, good food and just wandering, this place ticks a lot of boxes. The buildings are beautiful with its old convent architecture, courtyards, heritage mix. There are art studios, galleries, creative workshops going on, so there’s always something interesting to see. You don't have to participate, but you can walk along, take a peek and feel inspired by the artistry. The grounds are big enough that it never feels too crowded. The gardens, lawns, shady trees are great for sitting with a book, having a picnic, or meeting a friend for coffee. The cafe and bakery near the entrance are solid. Good treats with nice settings. Around the back of the property there's a nice walking path where you can see some animals like ponies and sheep, which are a favourite with the kids. Parking can be a bit tricky, so plan a bit ahead of time. And wear comfy shoes, because there’s quite a bit of walking if you want to explore all the corners. Overall, it’s one of my favourite inner‑Melbourne spots to relax, soak up some art, and enjoy a nice food & nature combo. Would go back easily.

I’ve photographed many weddings at Abbotsford Convent and it’s such an iconic Melbourne venue. The mix of historic architecture and lush gardens create endless photo opportunities. I love wandering the grounds with my couples and never having to go too far to find beautiful spots. The reception space is such a great blank canvas to make your own. Always love working here!

As a photography enthusiast, Abbotsford Convent is an absolute dream location! The grounds are stunning, with a mix of beautiful gardens, historical buildings, and incredible textures that make for endless creative opportunities. The atmosphere is so peaceful and inspiring. A special shout-out to the bakery - the ham, cheese, and tomato croissant was, without a doubt, the best I've ever had!

Abbotsford Convent is a charming spot with heritage buildings and peaceful gardens. I had tiramisu at the café and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place to wander and take in the history.

Great place to visit on a weekend couple small little coffee shops with sandwiches and drinks and also some history that might be of interest if you’re someone who like a bit of creepy history

I recently had the pleasure of conducting a wedding at the Abbotsford Convent in Collingwood, and it was absolutely beautiful. The chapel is stunning — elegant, peaceful, and with exceptional acoustics that made the ceremony feel so special. The staff were wonderfully helpful and accommodating, ensuring everything ran smoothly. The grounds are also breathtaking, offering so many picturesque spots for photos and quiet reflection. A truly memorable venue for any wedding or special occasion!

I must confess I arrived with no particular expectations — I was merely collecting produce from one of the importers and wandered in out of curiosity. Alas, the scene proved rather sparse. With crepes as the sole culinary offering on a decidedly warm afternoon, one found oneself at something of a loss. The entry fee, followed by parking charges (the beneficiary of which remains a mystery), meant one felt lighter in the wallet before having experienced anything at all. A complimentary iced refreshment or even a small discount on one’s first purchase would have gone a long way toward softening the blow. French markets in France, of course, are splendid affairs — lively, abundant, and effortlessly charming. This, by contrast, felt more like a well-intentioned expatriate gathering, albeit with a somewhat mismatched assortment of offerings. I believe there was live music scheduled, though at 2pm the musicians appeared to be observing a contemplative silence. In all, an outing that promised more than it delivered.

Abbotsford Convent is a hidden gem just minutes from the city. Stunning heritage buildings, beautiful gardens, riverside walks, and a vibrant mix of art, food, and community events make it the perfect spot to explore or unwind. A must-visit Melbourne destination!

So I worked on this piece of writing recently whereby I interviewed a bunch of people from Abbotsford Convent about their ghost stories from the place. There are plenty. The main kind of repeated story (four people told me independently of a similar experience) is of a sudden rush of anxiety when climbing the eastern stair well in the main convent building. The anxiety builds to a kind of terror as the people enter the nuns quarters and has forced people to avoid this part of the building altogether. I can't say I experienced this myself, but there are certainly some spooky nooks and corridors in this complex. The convent conduct a walking tour of the place on weekends and though they won't highlight the 'haunted' spots, the place has such an amazing history (from Indigenous meeting place, through the convent and girls-home years, and into its existence today as a buzzing arts and social hub) that it's well worth the few dollars. Alternatively, you can pick up a brochure from the office and take yourself to the south eastern breezeway that cuts through the former laundries of the girls home. Stay after dark... I dare ya.

If you are in need of a weekend away but can't manage it then may I suggest a visit to Abbotsford Convent? The Convent feels world away from Melbourne despite its proximity to the CBD. There is something about the spacious grounds, historical buildings and range of eateries that promotes relaxation and escape. Maybe it's just after the battle to find a parking spot in nearby streets anything feels serene in comparison. When exploring the various buildings and grounds of the Convent you feel as though you are discovering something new. Whether it be a new favourite dish, a new piece of art in the gallery spaces or a new view of the Yarra. This space is very hospitable. It hosts markets, conferences, tours and you can also book various area's of the Convent for functions. On my last visit a wedding was underway and the happy couple appeared to be in love with the location, and hopefully each other. Grab a table at the Bakery or a spot on the lawn and write me a postcard!

Awesome place with great food, beergarden, cool cafe, music, farmers market, gardens. Ideal to chill out, have breakfast, chat with friends while sipping a beer.

No longer a religious ground, the Abbotsford Convent in Collingwood, an inner city suburb of Melbourne, retains its name and today is home to artist studios where there is a thriving scene for the arts and culture. The Abbotsford Convent is the place to spend a perfectly lazy afternoon beginning with lunch or coffee at the cafe before sprawling on the gorgeous green lawn. Or, if you are up to it, simply pack a picnic basket along and head straight to the lawn and sprawl yourselves there while enjoying your homemade finger sandwiches and a glass of wine. There is so much history and character that we noticed at the Abbotsford Convent as we completed our afternoon with a stroll along the grounds. While a large part of the remaining buildings have been converted to artists' studios as well as private event space rentals, some of the remaining buildings are unused and left vacant with the intricate and ornate ceilings left to age while showing signs of paint peeling. It only helped us imagine what life was like when the nuns lived there before they had to hand the land back to the government because they were unable to financially support the huge grounds.

How is one to succinctly sum up the glory of the Abbotsford Convent and all that it holds? If you've never been it's hard to explain but I am damn well going to give it a try: 1. The convent itself is a stunning building with an intriguing history, and if you check their website they often hold tours to take you through the building. 2. The grounds surrounding the convent play host to a glorious Slow Foods Market once a month and also house many other businesses including Lentil As Anything, a bakery and a bar! 3. The landscape is simply beautiful and a wonderful way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon strolling through/laying about in the grass. Think of it as a smaller, hipper Botanic Gardens. 4. It is the ideal place for a wedding. 5. In the summer months it houses the Shadow Electric, a bar/ping-pong centre/über hipster open-air cinema that plays all the arthouse films you can imagine. Honestly, there is no need to check reviews for this one. Just pop down and spend a weekend afternoon there. You won't regret it.

Whenever I feel stifled by the rat race and feel like I need to get out of the city, I head to the Abbotsford Convent for a little peace and quiet. Formerly Convent of the Good Shepherd, the most important Catholic institutional complex in Victoria, the Abbotsford Convent is now an extraordinary arts, learning and cultural hub, with a distinctly relaxed ambience. Situated just 4 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, its 11 historic buildings, gardens and car park are spread over 6.8 hectares of untouched land that are surrounded by the Collingwood Children's Farm and Yarra Bend Park. The convent is a lovely place filled with art galleries, a farmer's market (in summer), jewellery studio, artist studios and creative spaces for writers and designers. It also features spaces for arts organisations, indoor and outdoor function spaces (great venue for a wedding), a school, a radio station, a bakery (with really good fresh bread and cakes), cafes, restaurants and bars. Walk around the grounds exploring the medieval French architecture, take in the grandeur of the main building and gardens and enjoy the aesthetic farm and rural settings. Dogs on leads are welcome and it's the perfect place to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, without actually having to drive far. Perfect for a lazy Sunday outing that is absolutely free. You can even score a super cheap Vegetarian meal at restaurant, 'Lentils as Anything' - a buffet style eatery where you make a free-will donation after your meal.

A fun place to visit and beautiful grounds! There is obviously Lentil as Anything here (and has been here for years) but now there are about four other little cafes, markets on weekends, pop up galleries, and yoga workshops. It's got a very community vibe that borders on commune when it's an especially alternative weekend (think rich white people appropriating dreadlocks playing hacky sack and never paying for their meal at lentils) for this reason the convent isn't perfect, but my goodness the grounds are gorgeous! There are sooooo many empty buildings (huge ones) and I can't wait to see what they do in the future!

I went to the Convent for the high tea: A Touch Of...Hightea with a twist. What a wonderful experience. Best High Tea I have been to. Having never been to the convent, make sure you get there nice and early so you can find parking as it is limited. There was a market on today and we will be coming back for that and there are restaurants and a bakery there too! Okay, so high tea: Firstly, make sure you get to the Convent nice and early because the location was a bit difficult to find once we entered the venue. Upon arrival at Rosina Hall where the high tea is held, you are signed in and treated to fresh lemonade and champagne. Today was the perfect day for this because Melbourne decided to have a sunny day, so there we were sipping champagne, getting polaroids taken, and listening to beautiful music of a singer and guitarist. The high tea officially began at 2 and as it was a lovely day we all stayed outside drinking and basking in the sun till about 2:30 when we were ushered inside to our seats. Us 3 shared a table with 5 others and there were 23 tables in all. The musicians came inside and kept playing awhile longer. When you sit down, there is a menu, lemonade, and platters of delicious treats waiting. Our favourites were: king island blue cheese and apricot, chorizo and vege bake, salmon and dill picklets, and a cold prawn mix on bread. Favourite desserts: lemon meringue, carrot cake! This isn't a buffet but we were still really full. The champagne kept coming, tea and coffee were poured and the conversations flowed till 4pm. We decided to stay and sit on the chairs outside and once those had to be taken in we went out on the lawn and chatted away for an hour or so.

Abbotsford convent is one of my favourite places in Melbourne! So close to the city yet it feels like you're a world away! The stunning convent architecture is set on beautiful, manicured gardens, bordering the Collingwood children's farm. Studded inside is the convent bakery, lentil as anything, the outdoor cinema (in summer), bars, galleries, artist spaces... And a whole lotta love! On a sunny day this is the perfect place to perch on the lawns with a plate from Lentil (the pay-as-you-feel restaurant) and watch everything from yoga, community meetings, band-jams and Agro yoga unfold in front of you! If the CBD is the heart of Melbourne, the Convent is the soul. Missing this gem is the biggest disservice you could do to yourself!

A beautiful place for a coffee, a chat, a guilt free organic kale salad and a craft market shop.

Whenever I go to the convent, it makes me desperately want to move to Abbotsford. My first visit was at night when everything was closed. A friend and I had been strolling alongside the river, had passed the Childrens' Farm and made our way through some unassuming gates. Actually, they weren't so unassuming, and I assumed that we'd be charged with trespassing. Surely such a foreboding entrance had to be off limits to plebs like us? It is so peaceful and beautiful, so full of city folk trying hard to pretend they're on a weekend away, that one cannot help but quiet one's mind and do away with the stresses of the day. Interestingly, I went to an Anarchist event hosted in one of the larger rooms for hire - Anarchists have a reputation for being a bit touchy - and I suspect the location contributed to constructive and cheerful atmosphere of the day. If the upper middle class could identify one artist commune they supported, I strongly suspect it would be here.

Terrible service at the bakery today. The pigeons ate all our food even though we tried shooing them away. They were too aggressive and we had screaming kids and babies yet not one of the staff came to help us. Worse yet, I had to re-order our lunch and told them what happened and not a single apology was given. Disappointed beyond words.