//
Central business district of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Photo: Romain.pontida, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The central business district of Melbourne is the city's cultural, entertainment and financial heart. Locally called the CBD, or simply "the City", it is where most international and interstate visitors spend the bulk of their time. Most must-see attractions sit within the city's grid-planned centre, as does much of the accommodation and nightlife.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
The defining landmark of Melbourne, this colonial-era railway station was designed in an 1899 competition. The station's front steps, below a row of clocks announcing train departure times, are a popular meeting point for locals. It is the busiest suburban station in the Southern Hemisphere. Although grand from the outside, the interior has become dilapidated over the years and many rooms including the ballroom are closed to the public. A restoration project began in 2015 and further works were announced in 2018.
The official residence of the Governor of Victoria. The house opened in 1876 as the official residence of the Governor-General of Australia, before the capital moved to Canberra. The house is modelled to some extent on Queen Victoria's Osborne House, in Cowes, England. Combined tours with La Trobe's Cottage must be booked two weeks in advance. Free garden tours on third Thursday of the month, limited to 10 people so book well in advance. Visit on the Open Day on Australia Day (26 January).
A prefabricated cottage imported from England in 1839 for Victoria's first Lt. Governor, Charles Joseph La Trobe. The cottage has been rebuilt and relocated. The cottage and garden is run by the National Trust.
Built in 1870, the city's town hall is grand and historic. 1 hour tours allow visitors to see the ornate Council chambers, the richly-carved Grand Organ and sit in the Lord Mayor's chair. Bookings recommended.
Built in 1841, it is now a penal museum, with a watch house and magistrate's court also on-site. Bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged here in 1880. The scaffold on which he and many others were hanged is displayed, as is Kelly’s death mask. There are other displays in many of the cells. Allow an hour or so for your visit.
Built between 1856 and 1879, the Australian federal parliament sat in this impressive building from 1901 to 1927 while Canberra was built. It now houses the state parliament. The majestic façade can be seen right down Bourke St. Tours of the assembly halls and libraries are conducted when parliament is not in session. Visitors are also welcome to sit in the public gallery when parliament is in session.
Gothic church built in 1873, the first Presbyterian house of worship in the city.
War memorial in classical style opened in 1934. The memorial was designed so that the sun would shine on the word LOVE at 11AM on 11 November. Exhibition galleries under the memorial were added in 2014. A Last Post Service is held here every Sunday at 4.45pm to commemorate an important event in Australia's military history.
Built in stages beginning in 1854, it has an impressive classical revival façade. Includes a good newspaper reading room, genealogy room and an art collection, as well as the fantastic La Trobe Reading Room and its huge dome. Bushranger Ned Kelly's armour is stored permanently on display, along with a variety of galleries and exhibitions. Internet terminals are provided for research only, not email, and usually need to be booked because of high demand. Coin-operated lockers are available just off the lobby, where large bags must be deposited before entry. Free Wi-Fi and guided tours are also available.
Romanesque-style church built in 1866.
The original part of this Gothic Revival cathedral was built in the 1850s. It was consecrated in 1897 and the spires added in 1939. It is the largest and tallest church in Australia.
Gothic-revival cathedral on the site of the colony's first church services in 1836.
A Las Vegas-style gambling palace (including the Crown Casino), also containing restaurants, upmarket boutiques, nightclubs, two hotel towers, a cinema complex and floorshows.
Contains the highest observation deck in the Southern Hemisphere on level 88, with panoramic views of the entirety of Melbourne. Only recommended in clear weather. Also offers an additional cost "Edge" experience whereby visitors are protruded outside of the building inside a glass-panelled cube.
The city's most popular meeting place. The striking architecture of its buildings create a nice backdrop to this open plaza, directly opposite Flinders Street Station. There are usually live, free performances from various groups, along with coverage of major sporting and cultural events on the huge television. A number of museums and organisations call the site home, as well as Melbourne's major visitor information centre in the 'shard' building.
Home to over 10,000 aquatic creatures, there are four distinct areas of the aquarium dedicated to Antarctica, seahorses, the rainforest and the ocean, the latter of which includes a glass walk-through experience. Shark diving and animal feeding available.
Formerly Corporation Lane, this alley was renamed in 2004 in honour of the world-famous Australian rock band. The laneway's sign is a nice photo opportunity for fans, plus it's located in the bar and rock district of the city.
If you want to sample street art, head for this little lane full of ever-evolving, colourful graffiti from end to end.
ACMI
A museum, gallery and collection of cinemas dedicated to film, TV, video games, new media and art, both old and new. Regularly holds a number of interesting exhibitions.
NGV Australia
Houses over 25,000 works of only Australian art, including paintings, sculptures, photography and fashion. Famous artists such as Frederick McCubbin and Sidney Nolan are on display, along with a fine collection of Indigenous art.
NGV International
The premier venue for international fine art exhibitions in Melbourne, with a permanent collection and international collections. A must-see for art lovers.
The Arts Centre Melbourne is home to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia and the Melbourne Theatre Company. It has a variety of performance venues, exhibition spaces, bars and restaurants. On Sundays, it hosts an Artisans' Market.
Showcases contemporary art from Victorian First Peoples.
Housed in the late-19th century Gothic Revival ANZ Bank building, it walks through the history of Australian banking from Indigenous bartering economies to finance of the future.
Situated in the midst of Chinatown, it documents and explains the history of Chinese immigrants in Australia. The 'millennium dragon' is on display, the largest Chinese dragon in the world, along with an interactive underground exhibit highlighting the goldfields. Also on-site is a free visitor centre and a gift shop. The museum runs walking tours of Chinatown by appointment ($10 per person).
A largely niche museum, it is the largest fire service-related collection in Australia. Houses historical uniforms, vehicles, photos and other memorabilia.
Located in the restored Old Customs House, it covers customs and immigration history over the past 200 years. Details the stories and experiences of immigrations to Australia, both past and present.
Built in 1858 by a 19-year-old architect, it was the city’s first Italian Renaissance building and many consider that its elegance has not been surpassed by anything in Melbourne since. Contains displays on the history of Melbourne as well as the history of gold in Victoria, including the original gold vaults. Fun activities for children, including the chance to earn a novelty gold licence. The expansive Treasury Gardens behind the building are also worth a visit.
A maritime museum based aboard the restored 1885 Belfast-built, three-masted, iron-hulled barque "Polly Woodside". Various kids activities available, including Pirate Sundays.
Displays with over 150 years of stories and of crime, justice, courage and forensic techniques. Includes some of the famous Kelly Gang's armour, the burnt out car used in the Russell Street Police HQ bombing and various records about famous gangland figures. Regular free exhibitions are on display.
Ornamental gardens laid out in 1904, on south bank of the Yarra River. There is a row of historic rowing boathouses on the river bank.
Cooks' Cottage is the cottage that belonged to Captain James Cook’s parents and was transported from Yorkshire to Melbourne in 1934.
Features memorials to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, sculptures and a floral clock of 7000 plants.
Recognised as one of the world’s finest botanic gardens, with over 10,000 species and 50,000 individual plants in the 38 hectare gardens.
The largest ice recreation venue in the Southern Hemisphere, the O'Brien Icehouse allows visitors to skate around a large ice rink. There are free beginner classes on weekends and school holidays. It regularly holds public events such as dancing, games, and music parties.
Has a huge selection of mouth-wateringly good crepes.
Specialty coffee, brekkie and bagels served in a light, vintage-chic cafe with eclectic decor.
Shop with barista who won 'Best Barista in the World' award in 2022, serving coffee, brekkie and light meals. Multiple locations across the CBD and Melbourne.
Beautiful Italian cakes, desserts, and coffee. Available until late at night.
Royal Stacks is a mini homage to US burger chain, Shake Shack
Small shop serving a wide variety of burgers and sides, including chips and salads. Includes vegetarian options.
Chinese food in large servings, notable for its dumplings. Meals served with complimentary tea.
Cheap and cheerful dumplings, expect a queue as they don't take bookings
Kitschy ode to Bollywood in the heart of Chinatown.
A ritzy, reservations-required Indian/Modern Australian fusion restaurant down one of Melbourne's most iconic laneways.
Tasty lunch cafe with a 2-course vegetarian all-you-can-eat meal. May be possible to work 30 minutes for your meal.
Sister restaurant to Crossways.
Cheap vegetarian and vegan buffet-style food which changes every day.
This Greek restaurant decorated with stalactites has delicious gyros and earthy meals.
Classic souvlaki place with two locations in the heart of Melbourne (the listed and another at Emporium Melbourne); open until midnight for late-night feasts.
A recreation of food markets in Italy, this covered area features over 20 shops selling everything from gelato to panini.
A large Italian café, bar and restaurant serving a range of sweet and savoury food and drinks with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. One of two Brunetti Oro cafes in the city, the other being on Little Collins Street at Swanston Street.
A small shop selling pizzas by the slice and freshly-made porchetta rolls next to the Queen Victoria Market.
A long-standing stalwart of Melbourne's food scene, this is a fine dining restaurant featuring modern takes on Italian cuisine.
Set in the modernised historic building of the Melbourne General Post Office, this Vietnamese restaurant offers quality meals at reasonable prices. As an indication, a set menu meal costs $25 each and includes a drink, entree and main, with four choices in each.
A small cornerside New York-style pizza place. Prices tend to be a little on the higher end ($5–7/slice) but the slices are reasonably large and filling.
Tucked into a bluestone laneway near Flinders St Station, this outlet has long-held the title of Melbourne's best coffee. Hours: M–F 6:30AM–7:30PM, Sa Su 7:30AM-6:30PM.
Speciality coffee shop serving cakes in a quirky space with wood panelling and bar stools.
Trendy, bare-bones, standing-room-only spot for artisanal coffee ground on-site, and small treats.
Speciality outpost crafting home-grown coffee in a stylish interior with light, wood-panelled walls.
They claim to specialise in serving and educating their customers all about speciality coffee. Their premium house blend, “Mega Choc” is always on offer, along with a rotating single origin of the day. Also on order are alternative brewing methods such as Aeropress, V60, Syphon and Cold Drip.
The owners have a long history of accolades. Champion barista, world latte artist and award winning coffee blend, gridlock coffee. Fast, friendly service and some of the finest coffee around.
Serious cocktail aficionados should check out this place, for a welcome mix of knowledgeable bartenders, funky bordello ambiance and a laid-back crowd.
Melbourne. Great late night joint or middle of the day, very functional with heaps of little spaces to get cosy and open areas to get your Sunday on. The rooftop bar in up there with the best in town. A must for people coming to Melbourne.
It epitomizes the kitschy-hidden-bar trend of the past few years. Tucked within the narrowest and smelliest alley in Melbourne, this place is somewhat charmingly fitted out like a high school laboratory; complete with beakers, test tubes and retorts. Check out the upstairs 'gymnasium' playing house and electro, and the hospital gurney (with stirrups) on display near the women's toilets.
Excellent bar and cocktails with an upstyle crowd that likes to party hard. Has a restaurant upstairs for dinner serving excellent Thai-inspired meals.
A bar in a car park made from shipping containers. 'Nuff said?
This English Garden party themed bar is on the roof and serves up excellent cocktails by staff in Tennis outfits. Cocktail jugs $30 and $50, 2+ and 4+ serves respectively
This relaxed bar is in a former motorcycle workshop, hence the name. Run by the same people who run e55.
Bar with an extensive beer list and a solid decor. Also specialises in pizza and with a friendly staff.
compact CBD apartments on Queen Street near the Queen Vic Markets. 4 Stars (AAA Tourism), all linen/towels provided with kitchenettes. Some apartments include clothes washer/dryer.
24-hour reception. Centrally located. Twins and doubles have TV. A party hostel, with a nightclub just below the rooms, which will be noisy well into the night. Has many long-term residents, some of who may be unkind to tourists on vacation schedules.
Centrally-located hostel in the backpacker hub of Melbourne. It is situated along the City Circle tram route and most Melbourne attractions are within walking distance. The staff are friendly, helpful and caring. It was opened in 2009 and is highly maintained.
Opposite Flinders Street Station, in the centre of Melbourne.Dormitory beds and ensuite private rooms.
24 hour reception
24 hour reception.
360 bedroom hotel with Locanda bar and restaurant (mains $27 - 59).
Apartments available range from studios to two-bedroom executives, and have separate living and dining areas. It also offers a flexible service menu.
One of Australia’s finest historic hotels. Built in 1913, this meticulously restored hotel retains the elegant style of the early 1900s while providing you with all the convenience of 21st century technology and amenities. Parking available.
Modern, chic and elegantly understated.
Superior service. With Italian marble bathrooms complete with a deep sunken bath with inset TV, twin basins, separate lavatory and therapeutic shower.
This heritage-listed apartment hotel has been restored to retain the style of the 1880s while providing guests with modern facilities.
Art Deco style hotel with Veronese marble and international art. All rooms receive access to the Regency Health Club, open daily from 6AM.
The grand old lady of Melbourne's five-star hotels, and the only surviving grand pre-World War II hotel in Australia. Built in 1883, the Hotel Windsor bills itself as Australia’s only remaining grand hotel. It possesses old world charm with modern luxuries and is opposite Parliament at the top end of Collins St.
The Langham Melbourne hotel offers luxurious Melbourne city accommodation behind the high end Southgate shopping mall, opposite the historic Flinders Street Station. The Langham Melbourne Hotel was the only Australian hotel in Travel and Leisure magazine's list of the world's 100 best hotels (2009). The Langham's Chuan Spa also achieved 'Top Hotel Spa' status in Travel + Leisure USA's 2009 World’s Best Awards readers survey.
Melbourne CBD hotel which is overlooking the Yarra River and is in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district. All suite and 4,5 stars Melbourne CBD hotel.
This Southbank hotel is ideally positioned among Southbank promenade and overlooks the picturesque Yarra River.
On the corner of Queens Street and Collins Street in the heart of Melbourne’s business district. Elegantly restored. this 19th century former bank is now an historic hotel.
A popular pedestrian and tram-only mall in the CBD lined with both big-name fashion brands and start-up designers.
Renowned for discovering some of Australia's most beloved labels; stocks emerging labels as well as the now established brands.
Large, multi-level store of the higher-end department store chain.
Melbourne GPO
Famous Swedish retailer's first store in Australia, housed in the historic General Post Office building. Sells a variety of cheap, quality womens, mens and kids clothing, along with a variety of home furnishings.
The renovated, flagship store of Australia's largest department store chain.
A Melbourne-born brand started in 1987, Aesop is decked out in apothecary style and uses botanical extracts and natural preservatives where possible. Their products will definitely earn a prized rank in your bathroom.
A famous icon for many Melbournians, the City Hatters sits just beneath the main entrance to Flinders Street Station on the right. It has survived the test of time, opening at the location in 1910, and stocks a wide variety of accessories, mostly for men. The store also provides hat cleaning and measurement services.
A historic shopping arcade built in 1891, lined with boutiques and cafés, housed within carved stone and wood walls with a glass canopy above.
Built in 1870, it is a historic shopping arcade that runs between Little Collins St, the Bourke Street Mall and Elizabeth St. The carved statues standing guard next to the iconic clock are worth a look, along with the numerous small shops.
Opened in 2014, it is housed within the former Myer Emporium building. The centre has cemented itself in the high-end shopping scene, home to major international fashion brands in addition to flagship Japanese retailer Uniqlo.
An open-air shopping centre of factory outlet stores with a number of major brands. Prides itself on big bargains and discounts, although the prices are nothing spectacular.
It used to be the only shopping centre in the CBD, but now has a lot of competition. Sits above the train station of the same name, and home to a large variety of stores and brands. An old shot tower sits within the centre's iconic glass cone roof, along with a small museum display about the tower's history and a clock (The Marionette Watch) which plays Waltzing Matilda every hour.
Multi-storey shopping centre next to the State Library and opposite Melbourne Central, with a number of large supermarket and department stores such as Big W, Woolworths, Harvey Norman and Domayne Furniture.
The largest open air market in the Southern Hemisphere, officially opened in 1878. The market has a mixture of outdoor stalls and indoor halls, selling food, clothes and crafts.
A variety of high-quality wares such as mugs, cushions, phone cases, clocks and a Melbourne-style Snakes and Ladders rip-off. Items are assembled in Yarraville in the city's west.
For the art lover that doesn't have a lot to spend, Outre can get you started with originals for under $100.
Every Sunday, the small park between Hamer Hall and Arts Centre Melbourne is filled with stalls that sell arts and crafts locally made by the sellers. The place is animated with live performance at noon.
The CBD is Melbourne's hub of public transport. Every train line and most tram routes pass through or terminate in the city.
Read in the guideBy foot
The CBD has an excellent network of footpaths and crossings, making it safe, simple and easy for people of all ages and abilities to walk around.
By bicycle
Melbourne has had a major shift towards becoming a bicycle friendly city. New bike lanes and infrastructure are constantly under construction in the inner city. The main bike routes in the CBD are:
By train
The City Loop forms the backbone of the entire Melbourne train network and serves the city. It runs around the edges of the grid layout, with a mix of sunken, elevated and underground sections.
By car
The design of the CBD's roads may look straightforward on a map, but it is a fairly different situation on the ground.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Melbourne · International · MEL
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about CBD and Australia.
Travel tipsCompare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsPlan your trip to the Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia with match cities, ticket windows, domestic flights, visa rules, and budget advice.
8 min read
Travel tipsDiscover how to use AI to find cheap flights. Learn prompt strategies, smart fare engines, open-jaw routings, and error-fare booking techniques.
6 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to visa-free travel for US citizens. Learn where American passport holders can go without a visa, new eTA rules, and entry fees.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.