A Morning In East Melbourne: Taste & Temptation & Bishopscourt Garden — Double Tour

Spend a morning in East Melbourne and visit both the Taste & Temptation exhibition at Fairhall and the gardens of Bishopscourt.

Taste & Temptation
Food and drink in the 1700s was more than mere sustenance. A table could display wealth, style, and luxury, be the setting for gossip and social intrigue, and reveal powerful political allegiances.

This autumn and winter, each room of historic East Melbourne townhouse Fairhall, has been theatrically reimagined to evoke the lavish art of eating and drinking in Europe in the eighteenth century.

Experience The Johnston Collection transformed into a series of atmospheric tableaux. Period-appropriate sights, sounds, and scents bring each room to life.

Explore a haven for political rebels; a stylish Continental Kaffeeklatch where women enjoyed coffee and conversation; a sumptuous dessert setting; a baroque dining room laden with silver; and an elegant morning room for the rituals of dressing and hot chocolate.

View exquisite fine and decorative arts from The Johnston Collection in an exciting new arrangement, and discover the taste and temptations of eighteenth-century drinking and dining.

Bishopscourt Gardens:
Bishopscourt is one of the oldest properties in East Melbourne, and the last intact urban estate within the City of Melbourne. Currently the official residence of the Archbishop of Melbourne, it has been the home of an Anglican Bishop, later Archbishop, of Melbourne since 1853. For a time, it was the residence of the State Governor.

Since 2001, Bishopscourt Garden has been maintained by volunteers dedicated to preserving its heritage. Established in 1848 by Bishop Perry and his wife, the garden has seen contributions from various residents and architects, including a design influence by Walter Butler in 1903. Over the years, volunteers have revitalized the space by clearing overgrowth, restoring historic paths, and caring for significant trees. Today, with restored brick paths, and a sustainable water system, Bishopscourt Garden stands as a living testament to Melbourne’s rich history and community spirit.

Your Ticket Includes:

- an introduction to The Johnston Collection by one of our knowledgeable Volunteer Guides

- an intimate tour experience of the Taste & Temptation exhibition with no more than 8 visitors per guide (groups of up to 22 are welcome)

- a tour of Bishopscourt gardens led by garden volunteers

- tea or Market Lane coffee at The Johnston Collection, served from Wedgwood fine bone china

- time to explore a wide range of exclusive gifts, books, and homewares at TJC Emporium

Image: Bishopscourt Garden. Photo: Ivan Smith.