Melbourne: Discover Art, Gardens and History

Discover Melbourne through a wide range of cultural experiences: in a historic library, look up at an octagonal dome, while the laneways are filled with murals, stencil art, paste-ups and mixed-media art. There are also collections from several world regions, a 38-hectare botanical garden and a market with hundreds of small businesses. When planning your trip, you can start by thinking about whether you’re most interested in art and history, nature or food.

Libraries, art and city history

State Library Victoria was founded as the Melbourne Public Library in 1854 and is Australia’s oldest public library. An impressive octagonal dome ceiling defines the La Trobe Reading Room. Various galleries present permanent and changing exhibitions, and free guided tours are also available. Architecture, library history and exhibitions each offer a different focus during a visit.

The city’s art offerings also vary in focus. NGV International displays the National Gallery of Victoria’s European, Asian, Oceanian and American collections. At ACMI, the free interactive exhibition The Story of the Moving Image features playable video games, film sets, and iconic costumes and props. This brings classic art collections together with an exhibition focused on moving images and interactive elements.

Old Melbourne Gaol has been Melbourne’s oldest and most feared prison since 1845. With a Gaol Day Pass, you can explore the three levels of the original prison; guided tours and immersive experiences are also available. Check the current details about the pass and offerings before your visit. This lets you distinguish this historical focus from the city’s collections and exhibitions.

Gardens, plants and birds

Melbourne Gardens covers 38 hectares and is home to more than 8,500 plant species from around the world. The Aboriginal Heritage Walk is a multisensory journey with a First Peoples guide, during which significant native plants are identified. The guided tour Secret Life of Birds focuses instead on the waterbirds that nest around Ornamental Lake. The two experiences offer different perspectives on the garden: one on plants and their significance, the other on nesting birds. Melbourne Gardens is open every day of the year; however, check the latest visitor information before planning your visit.

Laneways, walks and market life

If you’d like to explore Melbourne on foot, you can choose between two walks based on their respective focus. The Iconic laneways and arcades walk is approximately 2.4 kilometres long and takes about two hours. The Melbourne Street Art Walk passes through Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Blender Lane, Flinders Way and the Upper West Side Arts Precinct. While the first route gives an approximate length and duration, the named places provide points of reference for the second. The colourful art in the laneways adds another perspective on the city’s culture.

Queen Vic Market is home to hundreds of small businesses and is the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. At Dairy Hall, you can buy speciality cheese, eat at cafés or grab a coffee and croissant to go. The market therefore brings together small businesses and specific food offerings. Fed Square offers a different urban experience: the modern piazza is a public square in the city centre, directly opposite Flinders Street Station. There you’ll find cultural attractions as well as numerous restaurants, bars and speciality shops.

Start by choosing the kinds of days that matter to you, then compare the specific hotel locations in the listings.

Discover more destinations

Kensington, Williamstown, Wantirna South, South Yarra, Essendon, Kalorama, Frankston, Caulfield North, Brighton, Eumemmerring, Oakleigh, Emerald, Brunswick, Dandenong, Yering, Wheelers Hill, Glen Waverley, Clayton, Olinda, Noble Park, Sassafras, Yarra Glen, Fawkner, Healesville, Wonga Park, Point Cook, Doncaster East, Aspendale, Heatherton, Eltham, St Albans, Hawthorn, Parkdale, Narre Warren, Warburton, Seville, Monbulk, Yarra Junction, Attwood, Gisborne, Mitcham, Mt Dandenong, Lilydale, Moorabbin, Kew, Forest Hill, Footscray, Flemington, Box Hill, Fairfield, Highett, Braybrook, Beaumaris, Carnegie, Mont Albert, Caroline Springs, Doveton, Mt Waverley, Belgrave, Keilor, Preston, Cranbourne, Heidelberg, Ferntree Gully, Taylors Lakes, Coldstream, Eden Park

For the main travel overview: Victoria.