8 Historic Walking Areas in Greater Melbourne That You Shouldn't Miss

Located to the north of the city, Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery is a peaceful place with a rich local history that can be discovered via a heritage walk. While the cemetery is mostly full, there are a number of memorial options available. The Friends of Coburg Cemetery takes an active interest in the rich history of the cemetery and the area it serves, and runs historical tours from time to time.

Established in 1906 and located in Melbourne’s north, Fawkner Memorial Park features extensive grounds, waterways and ornamental gardens, providing a range of settings for the burial and memorialisation of your loved ones. The cemetery, designed by renowned landscape architect Charles Heath, is intersected by Merlynston and Campbellfield Creeks, and is serviced by the Upfield train line. The Fawkner Memorial Park Tea Rooms offer refreshments for visitors, and the cemetery's wide, shady boulevards provide a peaceful landscape for remembrance and reflection. With a crematorium, chapels and function facilities, Fawkner Memorial Park plays an important role in the communities it serves. This much-beloved cemetery was the first in Australia to introduce grand public mausolea, and is home to the Holy Family Mausoleum and Holy Angels Mausoleum.

Preston Cemetery is home to the largest mausoleum in the Southern Hemisphere. Located approximately 10km north of Melbourne's CBD, Preston Cemetery opened in December 1864 and continues to serve the diverse communities of Melbourne's northern suburbs. Originally known as the Strathallan Cemetery, it is the burial place of many nineteenth century pioneers from the region. In the 1920's the cemetery was expanded and re-named after the former City of Preston, since incorporated into the City of Darebin, though it is located in Bundoora. It has played an important role in the growth of those areas as the expansion of Melbourne saw the region move from a semi-rural to a suburban environment in a few short years. Today Preston Cemetery covers an area of approximately 14 acres with over 24,000 graves.

Northcote Cemetery is a small cemetery, set on about one acre of land tucked in between houses just between Separation Street and All Nations Park. The cemetery has been closed since 1908 except to holders of right of burial, with the last burial taking place in 1971. It is believed there are more than 1,500 people buried in the tiny cemetery, but there are only approximately 200 headstones. Given its long history, many burial records of the cemetery no longer exist. Some records have, however, been reconstructed using old receipt books and plans of the site. Today this historic site is cared for by GMCT staff with help from the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre, which provides practical work experience for young people with disabilities.