WELCOME TO THE CONVENT
Whisky Abbey takes place at the Abbotsford Convent, a unique and diverse multi-arts precinct located just 4 km from Melbourne’s CBD. The Convent has a rich cultural history with its natural landscapes and a remarkable community-led campaign to preserve it from commercial development, making it one of the most remarkable destinations in the center of Melbourne.
The site was listed on Australia’s National Heritage List in 2017 and is managed by the Abbotsford Convent Foundation, a not-for-profit social enterprise. The Convent is home to a vibrant creative community, wellbeing practitioners, cafes, a gallery, a radio station, schools, and green open spaces.
Abbotsford Convent celebrates creativity, inclusivity, wellbeing, and community enrichment and welcomes all to its special place. The same ethos we share at Whisky Abbey Festival.
Visit Their Website
Address
1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067
Opening Hours
09th Dec - 11am till 8pm 10th Dec - 11am till 5pm
Getting Here
The ride or walk to the Convent is spectacular, with the Capital City cycling and walking path directly passing the
precinct. The St Heliers Street turn-off is opposite the entrance to the Collingwood Children’s Farm.
Catch a Mernda or Hurstbridge line train to Victoria Park Station. The train station is a 10 – 15 minute walk to the Convent, or you can catch the 200 or 207 bus down Johnston Street to the Clarke Street stop. The bus stop is a 3 – 5 minute walk to the Convent.
Parking
All day parking is available in the car park directly across from the Convent on St Heliers Street. The machines accept credit cards, notes and gold coins. Funds from the car park go towards the restoration and daily operation of the Convent, and also support our neighbours, the Collingwood Children’s Farm.
There is no vehicle access to the Convent precinct for tour coaches and buses.
Buses should either pick up / set down and park in Johnston Street or at the south end of Clarke Street (accessible from Abbotsford Street only). Buses cannot enter St Heliers Street. There is a dedicated bus parking zone on Johnston Street, 50 metres east of the corner of Clarke Street.
Parking Weekend rates:
30 mins = $3
$1 per half hour thereafter
5 ½ – 10 hours = $14
$2 per hour after 10 hours
Accessibility
The Abbotsford Convent Foundation (ACF) is committed to improving access within the Convent precinct for everyone. The ACF acknowledges that there are access challenges inherent in the Convent’s heritage buildings and gardens and remedial work is being undertaken as funding permits.
Download Access Map