La Trobe’s Cottage is the former home of Victoria’s first Lieutenant-Governor, Charles Joseph La Trobe. The former governor has a river, university, and other locations named in his honor around the region. His early residence, a prefabricated building, was shipped from Britain and constructed in 1839.

This unique cottage was first constructed in Jolimont, not far from where the Melbourne Cricket Grounds now stand. Today, the cottage can be found in Kings Domain near the Royal Botanic Gardens and the Shrine. The dining room at La Trobe’s is thought to be the oldest surviving structure in Melbourne.

The outside of the building can be viewed at any time and is worth the short walk from the many other landmarks in the area. On selected open days, visitors can tour the tiny cottage and experience colonial life in Melbourne.