The Open Day will offer the public the opportunity to walk through a real-life archaeological dig and meet the experts involved in the project. Visitors will also get the chance to see artefacts uncovered from the dig.

The archaeological dig is the first phase of a major project to restore gardens to the western forecourt of the Royal Exhibition Building, an area that until very recently was an unsightly asphalt car park. Funded by the Victorian Government, this three phase project, which began in October, will include the installation of an extensive water harvesting and storage system, including a 900,000 litre underground water tank, which will ensure a sustainable future for this much-loved Melbourne landmark.

In the final phase, gardens and landscaping based on the original 1880s design will be restored to this important World Heritage site.

The archaeological exploration of the site currently underway will search for traces of the historic garden beds and other original features. The dig, which is being conducted in partnership with Godden Mackay Logan (GML) and La Trobe University, will include analysis of soil for traces of seeds and pollen that will help identify plants that might have been part of the original nineteenth century garden design.