Bonegilla Migrant Experience
Bonegilla Migrant Experience
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Bonegilla Migrant Experience brings to life the stories and experiences of the people who travelled through the migrant reception centre.
Following World War II, when millions of people seeking a new start and peace departed for Australia, an army camp was transformed into a migrant reception and training centre where new arrivals lived while they were processed and allocated jobs.
Bonegilla became the largest and longest operating reception centre in the post-war era. More than 300,000 migrants passed through its doors between 1947 and 1971, with most of those originating from non-English speaking European countries.
Residents had diverse arrival and settlement experiences. Many migrants recall arriving lonely and confused, others saw Bonegilla as a place of hope, symbolic of a new start.
Today, Block 19 is a public memory place. The site bring to light post-war immigration policies and procedures that changed the composition and size of the Australian population.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
121 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
36
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
John V
28 contributions
Aug. 2023
Didn't sound very interesting, but we had some time, and drove past, so called in. Wow, what a surprise.
First, there were hundreds of kangaroos grazing and lounging around.
Once the temporary home of 8000 newly arrived migrants after WW2, some of who stayed weeks, some years. In drafty, cold, huts. "Like being back in the concentration camp" according to one resident. Little privacy or comfort, and basic food. Many videos, photographs, testimonials and memories.
Many residents worked in the settlement, in Wodonga and in the Snowy Mountains Project.
Mixed reviews by the adults, but the children seemed to love it.
It was an education for my wife and I. A very moving experience, even though we did not know anyone who was resident there. An unexpected gem!
First, there were hundreds of kangaroos grazing and lounging around.
Once the temporary home of 8000 newly arrived migrants after WW2, some of who stayed weeks, some years. In drafty, cold, huts. "Like being back in the concentration camp" according to one resident. Little privacy or comfort, and basic food. Many videos, photographs, testimonials and memories.
Many residents worked in the settlement, in Wodonga and in the Snowy Mountains Project.
Mixed reviews by the adults, but the children seemed to love it.
It was an education for my wife and I. A very moving experience, even though we did not know anyone who was resident there. An unexpected gem!
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
monib
Narre Warren, Australia222 contributions
Mar. 2023 • Couples
Excellent history and examples of migrant accomadation. Enjoyed a self guided tour with good information provided.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCClifton
Sydney, Australia29 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
I had read the book “The last of the Bonegilla girls” and was keen to visit the actual location of this important story. Unfortunately there was only one guided tour in the morning, on the day we visited early afternoon, so worth ringing ahead to check. We found our own way round and captured something of the life of the place but expect the guided tour would have added to the experience. It is amazing to think that 1 in 20 Australians today have a connection to this migrant centre !
Written 2 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonja B
Kiama, Australia131 contributions
Mar. 2022
From the moment we arrived the staff were brilliant. Very helpful in assisting me with locating data on my family history and their arrival into Australia.
The centre is extremely well preserved and the halls and buildings tell a magic story of their time. Very thankful to the staff.
A shame our govt cannot treat people with the same respect as they received back then.
The centre is extremely well preserved and the halls and buildings tell a magic story of their time. Very thankful to the staff.
A shame our govt cannot treat people with the same respect as they received back then.
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia27,764 contributions
Feb. 2022
The museum was not open when visited but the camp has an interesting history and worth a visit. It housed post World War 2 immigrants and over 300,000 were processed through the old army barracks from 1947 until 1971. It does not look that appealing but it was set on 130 HA of pastoral land near the lake and probably a darn side better than where they came from.. Fascinating history preserved.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fanfandango
Brighton, Australia530 contributions
Jan. 2022
Fascinating to discover a piece of Australian history that I wasn't aware of.
Many visitors are descendants of these migrants and have left touching messages about their forebears in one of the huts, whole walls decorated with messages.
Well curated huts with a good look at what life was like for these people.
Pretty rough conditions, no heating or cooling, iron frame beds with cyclone wire bases.
Great amenities and picnic tables, cafe on site but wasn't open on our trip on 9 January.
I'm so glad I came. I spent an hour or so, could have stayed longer.
Many visitors are descendants of these migrants and have left touching messages about their forebears in one of the huts, whole walls decorated with messages.
Well curated huts with a good look at what life was like for these people.
Pretty rough conditions, no heating or cooling, iron frame beds with cyclone wire bases.
Great amenities and picnic tables, cafe on site but wasn't open on our trip on 9 January.
I'm so glad I came. I spent an hour or so, could have stayed longer.
Written 9 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Compass614910
4 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Family
So many memories of bonegilla we lived there for quite a few years my mum brought us 4 girls and our brother on her own and had a job as a cleaner life as a child was good we went swimming in the hHume what watched movies played with other children and of course getting into some trouble at times food for me was good as my mum managed somehow to make us polish dish of pyrogy by the time I left bonegilla I spoke 3 languages German polish and English
Written 19 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bishop13
wellington, New Zealand137 contributions
Jul. 2020 • Couples
Fascinating to look around the place where so many people started out their new life in Australia. Great amount and quality of information and very well presented. Very worthwhile thanks (free too)
Written 9 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RossofIslington
Christchurch, New Zealand150 contributions
Mar. 2020
Being a tourist from NZ I found the Bonegilla MIgrant Experience very informative, interesting, eye opening and full of nostalgia. In reception was a male volunteer who excellently informed us of how to access the facilities and prove great insight into what the place would have been like when it was in use. Thank you for taking the time to do that. Many of the buildings are open to the public with at time drawdropping static displays. Entry is free. Came away very humbled at how some people had to begin life in a new country.
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo B
Craigieburn, Australia364 contributions
Feb. 2020 • Couples
We saw a road sign for this attraction and decided to check it out. Entry is free or you can pay $12 for guided tour at specified times eg 11am and 2 pm. We did self tour as we arrived at about 12:30. The remaining buildings are only one of 24 areas of this massive migrant camp used from about 1950-1971. Lots of photos, exhibits and personal stories, but on a 30 degree day you appreciate the difficulty of living in uninsulated tin huts with no heating or cooling on hot days or cold nights. The camp was much bigger than I imagined back then , housing up to 8000 at a time. Some were just glad to be out of war zones alive, others were dismayed at unfamiliar no frills food, delays in getting jobs, and professional people being tagged as labourers or domestics. There is provision for visitors with personal links to the camp to post messages for others to read. There are also books with migrant file cardS that include photos and basic details. It was an interesting side step on our road trip .
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anneT6806XV
Melbourne, Australia
Is the bakery open today?
Bonegilla ME
Bonegilla, Australia
Hi, thank you for your question.
The Bicycle Baker doesn't operate a retail space from Bonegilla Migrant Experience. You will find their bread available in many local produce stores or on the weekend we sell a selection of their breads.
anneT6806XV
Melbourne, Australia
Is the bakery open today?
Bonegilla ME
Bonegilla, Australia
Hi, thank you for your question.
The Bicycle Baker doesn't operate a retail space from Bonegilla Migrant Experience. You will find their bread available in many local produce stores or on the weekend we sell a selection of their breads.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bonegilla Migrant Experience
- Bonegilla Migrant Experience is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
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