Flora, Fauna and TIGRR: A Behind-the-Scenes Biology Tour at Melbourne Uni

Join me for a rare after-hours tour inside the University of Melbourne's Parkville campus, stepping into labs and collections that are normally closed to the public. It's one tour with three very different stops, and it's a great one for anyone curious about the living world — past, present and future.

We'll start at the Herbarium, home to around 150,000 plant specimens, including some collected by Captain Cook's crew. From there it's into the Tiegs Museum, a wonderfully eclectic zoology collection with everything from an extinct moa to a chimpanzee skeleton signed by Jane Goodall. And to finish, we'll visit the TIGRR Lab (Thylacine Integrated Genetic Restoration Research) — the team working on marsupial conservation and the de-extinction of the Tasmanian tiger.

We'll meet at the ticket-scanning spot at the Biosciences 4 (Building 147) at 7:05pm so we can head in together, with the tour starting at 7:15pm and wrapping up around 8:55pm.

This is a casual social meetup arranged so we can go along together — it isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by the University of Melbourne. Please book your own ticket directly with them; an RSVP here doesn't include entry or guarantee a spot.

Who this is for

• Anyone curious about nature, animals, plants, museums or genetics — no science background needed.
• People who love seeing behind-the-scenes spaces the public rarely gets into.
• Solo attendees are very welcome; this is an easy one to come along to on your own and say hello.

Links

• Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kGicEKGJM54WWXQG7
• Tickets/booking: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/flora-fauna-and-tigrr-the-past-and-future-of-biology-tickets-1989443218220

Timeline

• 7:05pm – Meet at the ticket-scanning spot at the Biosciences 4 (Building 147) and say hello
• 7:15pm – Tour starts
• 8:55pm – Tour ends and the meetup finishes

Tickets / cost
You'll need to book your own spot in advance directly with the organiser — a Meetup RSVP is not a ticket. These tours can be popular and may sell out, so it's worth booking early.

Transport
The tour is on the University's Parkville campus. Trams along Swanston Street and Royal Parade stop nearby, and there's limited paid parking around the campus edges. Allow a little extra time to find Building 147 before 7:05pm.

Bring

• Comfortable shoes — there's some walking and standing across the different spaces.
• A water bottle.
• Your ticket/booking confirmation for scanning on arrival.

Expect

• Difficulty: easy — a guided indoor walking tour.
• Pace: relaxed, moving between three locations.
• Vibe: curious, friendly and low-key.
• Group style: come as you are; solo attendees welcome.

Important notes

• Please book your own ticket directly with the organiser; an RSVP here doesn't include entry.
• We're guests in working labs and collections, so please follow all staff instructions and any venue rules on the day.
• If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear for everyone.