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Inner Melbourne including La Trobe, Old Melb Gaol, Polly Woodside and Portable Iron Houses
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La Trobe's Cottage La Trobe’s Cottage, the charming former home of Victoria’s first Lieutenant-Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe, offers a unique glimpse into life in early Melbourne. Originally built in 1839, it remains one of the city’s oldest surviving buildings, complete with original family furnishings and a beautifully re-created 19th-century garden. Throughout the year, a variety of volunteer roles become available—from tour guiding and assisting with open days, to helping in the heritage garden or supporting special events. Whether you're a keen historian, love meeting people, or enjoy being part of a supportive team, there’s something here for you. If you're interested in getting involved, please get in touch, we take in Volunteers intermittently through out the year, let us know your interest and we will pop you on the list of Volunteers keen to share this special place. La Trobe's Cottage Dallas Brooks Drive Melbourne on Bunurong Country
Portable Iron Houses Are you passionate about Melbourne’s history? Join us as a volunteer and help bring to life the stories of the gold rush era at one of the world’s rarest heritage sites. Tucked away in South Melbourne, the Portable Iron Houses are three of the last remaining nineteenth-century prefabricated iron buildings. Shipped from Britain and assembled during the 1850s gold rush, these homes tell the remarkable story of a booming colony, desperate for shelter as thousands arrived in search of fortune. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to share the fascinating tale of Canvas Town, where families lived in tents while hoping for the luxury of a small iron cottage. You’ll explain how entire homes—and even theatres and churches—were ordered from catalogues, shipped across the seas in crates, and built by hand, no experience necessary. These homes—Patterson House, still on its original site, and Abercrombie House and Bellhouse, relocated from North Melbourne and Fitzroy—offer a powerful glimpse into a time of immense change and resilience. Whether you're passionate about heritage, love engaging with visitors, or enjoy being part of a welcoming volunteer community, this is your chance to help preserve and share Melbourne’s incredible gold rush legacy. We’d love to have you on board—come be part of history. 399 Coventry Street South Melbourne on Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country
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Polly Woodside
Do you enjoy woodworking, hands-on maintenance, or working with historic materials? Step aboard the Polly Woodside and become part of the team helping to preserve one of Melbourne’s most iconic maritime treasures. Built in Belfast in 1885, this majestic three-masted iron barque carried coal and nitrate across the globe, rounding Cape Horn 16 times. Constructed in just six months from iron—then the cutting-edge material of shipbuilding—she is a testament to 19th-century engineering and craftsmanship. Today, Polly Woodside offers a rare opportunity to work on authentic maritime structures and fittings, maintaining and preserving the ship’s intricate timberwork and iron hull. Volunteers are vital in helping restore the vessel, care for its many working parts, and ensure it remains safe and beautiful for future generations. Whether you're an experienced woodworker, a handy DIYer, or simply someone who loves working with their hands on meaningful heritage projects, this is your chance to get involved with a piece of living history. Polly was saved from the scrapyard in 1968 and gifted to the National Trust for just one cent—a symbol of community effort and pride in our shared past. Join us and help keep her legacy afloat. All skills welcome – training and camaraderie provided!
Polly Woodside is located at 21 South Wharf Promenade on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country
Old Melbourne Gaol
For almost 80 years, the Melbourne Gaol was a place of punishment and execution, where men, women and children were incarcerated for crimes ranging from murder to vagrancy.
The Gaol’s most infamous inmate, bushranger Ned Kelly, spent the last few months at the Gaol before going to the gallows.
Construction on the Melbourne Gaol began in 1841, and within six years of its official opening the new Gaol was already overcrowded. The discovery of gold in 1851 triggered a huge increase in population, making law and order difficult to enforce. These factors together with poverty and lack of social welfare meant a larger gaol was urgently needed and expansion began. Completed in 1858, it is this block that remains today.
The Gaol complex continued to expand and by 1864 it spread over two city blocks and included labour and exercise yards, male and female hospitals, a chapel, a bath house and accommodation for staff.
Together with the City Watch House, which closed its doors in 1994, and the former Magistrates Court, the legal precinct offers a unique insight into the history of Victoria’s justice system.
We do not take Volunteer guides at this site, but are interested in helpers at the site who have an interest in Australian History and can be Visitor support volunteers. Get in touch and we will let you know if there are any availabilities.
Old Melbourne Gaol is located at 377 Russell St, Melbourne on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country. |
Opportuntines Available
General Interest Registration La Trobe's Cottage
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Volunteering with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while connecting with our rich heritage. Whether you’re passionate about history, nature, or community, there’s a role for you. From guiding visitors through iconic properties to supporting events, being involved in our gardens and landscape spaces, conservation projects, or assisting with administration, you’ll play a vital part in preserving and celebrating our cultural legacy. Join our vibrant community of volunteers and help us protect the stories of the past for future generations. If there is not a current Volunteer opportunity available that interests please apply and our Staff will contact you to discuss what opportunity best suits you Knowledge and Skills required :
Volunteer Benefits include
Training and skill development in:
You will be one of a team of experienced volunteers. The National Trust is a not for profit organisation that aims to conserve Australia’s history and heritage for present and future generations. As part of the application process, we will ask you to agree to register as a National Trust Volunteer. Volunteers are may be required to have a current Working with Children’s Card (free for volunteers) and police check which you can apply for as part of the application process. Thank you for considering volunteering with us. We believe in inclusiveness, diversity, and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of that. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies. We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. |
General Interest Registration Portable Iron Houses
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Volunteering with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while connecting with our rich heritage. Whether you’re passionate about history, nature, or community, there’s a role for you. From guiding visitors through iconic properties to supporting events, being involved in our gardens and landscape spaces, conservation projects, or assisting with administration, you’ll play a vital part in preserving and celebrating our cultural legacy. Join our vibrant community of volunteers and help us protect the stories of the past for future generations. If there is not a current Volunteer opportunity available that interests please apply and our Staff will contact you to discuss what opportunity best suits you Knowledge and Skills required :
Volunteer Benefits include
Training and skill development in:
You will be one of a team of experienced volunteers. The National Trust is a not for profit organisation that aims to conserve Australia’s history and heritage for present and future generations. As part of the application process, we will ask you to agree to register as a National Trust Volunteer. Volunteers are may be required to have a current Working with Children’s Card (free for volunteers) and police check which you can apply for as part of the application process. Thank you for considering volunteering with us. We believe in inclusiveness, diversity, and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of that. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies. We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. |
2026 Eco Action Volunteer
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Eco Action Volunteers support the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) in delivering environmental and sustainability projects throughout 2026. This is a flexible, project-based role for those passionate about conservation and community engagement. By expressing your interest in this role you will be added to a mailing list and contacted about upcoming Environmental projects throughout the year. Key Activities could include:
Skills & Attributes :
Commitment:
Location: Training & Support:
Benefits:
We promote diversity and practice equity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. |
