Kew Cottages, Former hospital for intellectual disabilities in Victoria, Australia
Kew Cottages is a former facility for caring for children with intellectual disabilities spanning 27 hectares in Victoria. The grounds contain multiple small residential buildings dispersed among old oak trees and mature plantings with views toward the Yarra Valley.
The facility was established in 1887 as Australia's first government-run site dedicated specifically to caring for children with intellectual disabilities. A shift in care approaches led to transforming traditional institutional buildings into a system of smaller residential cottages.
The site shows the architectural philosophy of an earlier approach to care: small residential buildings spread across the grounds rather than one large central structure. Visitors can see how this dispersed layout shaped daily life and reflects how care happened in smaller, more personal spaces.
The grounds are open to visitors to explore the buildings and landscaped areas, though some spaces may be restricted. The site is accessible by public transport and located in a quiet suburban area of Melbourne.
The gardens were designed in 1913 by Hugh Linaker and feature plantings like Bunya Bunya Pines, Blue Gums, and Lemon-scented Gums that still shape the grounds today. This carefully chosen vegetation creates a special setting that extends beyond the buildings themselves.
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