Three inner city houses in Coventry Street, South Melbourne are among the few 19th century prefabricated iron buildings remaining in the world.

An audiovisual tour provides a comprehensive account of the importance of these buildings in the history of white settlement in Australia and during the gold rush years in Victoria particularly.

Once a month the volunteers at the 19th century Portable Houses guide a walk around Emerald Hill and also provide refreshments in the courtyard of the historic Iron Houses.

Visitors with an interest in building, architecture, industrial archaeology as well as social history will find the houses of immense interest.