Meet Lois

Holding a special place in her heart, Bonegilla is the first place Lois called home in Australia after arriving with her husband and two young children by bus from Sydney.

A long-time volunteer at Bonegilla Migrant Experience, she shares some memories of her time at the former migrant camp.

Watch the video >

Twelve months on, and we are pleased to see the Bonegilla ID Card exhibition has been incredibly popular. More than 14,000 visitors have come through the exhibition with 2,600 people looking up an ID card onsite. Furthermore, more than 19,000 users from all over the world have accessed the ID card lookup online. If you haven't already, you can find someone via our website >

As we celebrate the popularity of our ID Cards exhibition one year on, we are thrilled to share the exhibition was recently announced as 'Highly Commended for Medium Project of the Year (Museum)' at the Victorian Museums & Galleries Awards 2023.

School holiday guided tours 

Get the family together and learn about the fascinating history of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre. Explore the original camp buildings and truly walk in the shoes of the 300,000 migrants who made this their first Australian home.

December 26 to January 1 - 11am and 1pm daily
January 2 to January 14 - 11am daily
January 15 onwards - return to our regular tours, please contact the Welcome Centre for available days and times.

As our tours have limited places available, it's best to call and register prior to your visit on (02) 6020 6912. 

Cost Adult $19  |  Concession $16 |  Child (16 years and under) $10  |  Family $48 (two adults and two children). Includes guided tour and site admission.

Open 10am to 4pm daily, please note we are closed Christmas day and any days declared Catastrophic fire danger days. 

Coming soon 

Keep an eye on our website for upcoming events, including the release of our school holiday activities in January.

A new addition to our product range, the suitcase shaped lapel pins are a little token, representing the journey migrants made to seek a new start in Australia following World War II.

The lapel pins are $4 and can be purchased from our Welcome Centre.  

Did you know we have food and drinks available to purchase?

Grab a platter - select your items and enjoy a picnic while you take in the beautiful surrounds. We also have coffee, soft drinks, flavoured milks, pre-packaged biscuits and a mix of snacks available from the Welcome Centre.

Group tour bookings now open for 2024

From social groups and family gatherings to schools, tour companies and more, Bonegilla Migrant Experience is happy to work with your group to tailor a tour to suit your needs.

Follow an experienced guide around the site for a tour of Bonegilla Migrant Experience - a great way to discover and learn more about the significance of the national heritage place. 

During the tour, learn about the rich history of the site, hear shared stories about the people who came through it and get an insight of the original buildings and how they were used - with the chance to ask questions and converse along the way.

Group members will have the chance to stop by the quiet room and share feelings about their experience in a note - and read comments from other visitors. It's a lovely time to stop and reflect. 

It's suggested that you allow an hour and a half at the site, but if you have a little extra time, group members are welcome to discover the many displays.   

On site, you can make the most of the picnic area with a BYO lunch, morning or afternoon tea. Our team are also happy to help arrange catering upon request.

To organise your tour booking in 2024 get in touch with our friendly Bonegilla Migrant Experience Coordinator by phone or the online booking form.

Coming soon to the Melbourne Museum Theatre, local Simon Reich's live show features interviews with more than 40 migrants projected onto large screens. Expect to experience immersive sound design, archival footage and a live soundtrack played by grand piano and string quartet. Tickets available online >

Date: Thursday, December 7 and Friday, December 8
Location: Melbourne Museum Theatre

We share our site with the Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc and we are proud of their latest achievement. The historical society has been named in the 2022-2023 Victorian Collections Cataloguing 'Best in Show' list, which celebrates excellence in online cataloguing.

A great achievement for a small organisation, well done to all involved. Read more > 

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We can't wait to welcome you!