The Most Impressive Buildings in Melbourne

An assortment of architecturally remarkable buildings sprawl throughout Melbourne’s urban jungle and enrich the lives of Melburnians. From the French Renaissance train station to the neoclassical state library and the Moorish Revival theatre, here are some of the most impressive buildings in Melbourne.

View All Trips

Flinders Street Station

Building, Train Station

Since 1854 Melburnians have been boarding trains at the corner of Swanston and Flinders Street; however, the building as we know it today didn’t open until 1909. Featuring a green dome, arched entrance and clock tower, Flinders Street Station was the first Australian city railway station, and by 1926 it had become the busiest passenger train station in the world.

State Library Victoria

Established in 1854, the State Library Victoria spreads across two acres and features seven reading rooms in which you can enjoy any of their more than 2 million titles. Two of the library’s most significant architectural aspects are La Trobe Reading Room and the Architectural Fragment, a sculpture just outside the library. Australia’s oldest public library is also home to numerous historical documents and artefacts, including the diaries of Melbourne founders John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, as well as the original armour worn by Victorian bushranger Ned Kelly.

Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.

CentralAmerica

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini

1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

CentralAmerica

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini

2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.

CentralAmerica

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini

3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.

SouthAmerica

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic

1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

SouthAmerica

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic

2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.

Europe

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic

1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

Europe

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture

2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.

Europe

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture

3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.

Asia

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic

1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

Asia

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic

2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.

Asia

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture

3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price

Africa

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic

1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

Africa

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic

2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.

Africa

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic

3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.

State Library Victoria, 328 Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, +61 03 8664 7000

GPO Building

Building

The GPO Building was designed in 1859 by A.E. Johnson, and was once the heart of Melbourne’s postal service. Architecturally, the building blends classical design with French Second Empire influences and features Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, as well as a clock tower. Today, the building is home to retailers and restaurants.

Shrine of Remembrance

Memorial, Shrine

Veterans and architects Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop designed the Shrine of Remembrance to honour Victorians who served in WWI. Additional memorials have since been added to the site to recognise veterans of subsequent wars. The Shrine holds more than 800 objects, photos, and uniforms dating from the 1850s to the present day, and commemorative events are held here on Anzac Day and Remembrance Day.

Coop's Shot Tower

Museum

Preserved under The Glass Cone, Coop’s Shot Tower stands as something of a 50-meter time capsule, having been preserved and saved from demolition in 1973. The tower now sits amidst the retail hub that is Melbourne Central. Built in 1889, the tower has 327 steps leading to the top. It produced six tonnes of lead shot each week until 1961. Nowadays, there is a museum located on the second floor of the tower.

Melbourne Central Shopping Centre, La Trobe St. & Swanston St., Melbourne, VIC, Australia, +61 03 9922 1122

Melbourne Central Coop’s Shot Tower | © Kham Tran/WikiCommons www.khamtran.com

Royal Exhibition Building

Building, Museum, School

Designed by architect Joseph Reed, the Royal Exhibition Building was built to host the Melbourne International Exhibition in 1880. Neighbouring the Melbourne Museum in Carlton Gardens, this World Heritage Site held the opening of the first Commonwealth Parliament of Australia and was used as a venue for the 1956 Olympics. In 1980, Princess Alexandra granted the building its royal title, and today the space holds events, exhibitions and school exams.

Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson St., Carlton VIC, Australia, + 61 03 9270 5000

Royal Exhibition Building | © Douglas P. Perkins/WikiCommons

Eureka Tower

Building

Standing at 297.3 meters, Eureka Tower is the tallest building in Melbourne and the second highest in Australia. In fact, when it first opened in October 2006, it was the tallest residential building in the world. Named after the Eureka Stockade rebellion of 1854, the modern building houses 556 apartments across 84 floors. For panoramic views of Melbourne, sightseers can visit Eureka Skydeck on the 88th floor.

Manchester Unity Building

Building

Inspired by Chicago’s Tribune Tower, Marcus Barlow designed the neo-Gothic Manchester Unity Building, which served as the headquarters for the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Built in 1932 during the Great Depression, the builders completed one of each of the 12 total floors every seven to 10 days. The building was the first in Melbourne to feature escalators and air conditioning.

Old Treasury Building

Building, Museum

Designed by 19-year-old architect JJ Clark in 1857, the Old Treasury Building once held the fortunes acquired during the Victorian Gold Rush. Fashioned from bluestone and sandstone, the three-storey building is a primary example of Australian Renaissance Revival architecture. The building originally served as the home of the Treasury Department, but is now a museum with a number of permanent and rotating exhibitions.

Old Treasury Building, 20 Spring St., Melbourne VIC, Australia, +61 03 9651 2233

Old Treasury Building at dusk | © Nick-D/WikiCommons

National Gallery of Victoria

Art Gallery

With a permanent collection of more than 73,000 works of art housed at two sites, the National Gallery of Victoria is the oldest and most visited art gallery in Australia. Established in 1861, the gallery’s permanent collection features masters including Cézanne, Picasso, and Rembrandt, as well as celebrated Australian pieces, such as Tom Roberts’ Shearing the Rams. NGV also features the largest stained glass ceiling in the world, which measures 51 meters long and 15 meters wide.

Federation Square

Building

One of the most controversial buildings in the city, Melburnians love to hate Federation Square. Completed in 2002, the complex was designed by Lab + Bates Smart and incorporates deconstructivist design with a modern minimalist style. Federation Square includes three public spaces, a variety of restaurants, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Ian Potter Centre, and the SBS Television and Radio Headquarters.

Forum Theatre

Cinema

Formerly known as the State Theatre, this venue was the largest cinema in Australia when it opened in 1929 and had a seating capacity of 3,371 people. John Eberson designed the space as an atmospheric theatre with a Moorish Revival exterior and an interior ceiling that gives patrons the illusion of sitting under the Mediterranean night sky. These days, the Forum Theatre is used for concerts and events, including the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Forum Theatre, Flinders St. & Russel St., Melbourne VIC, Australia, + 61 03 9299 9860

Arts Centre Melbourne

Building

Designed by architect Roy Grounds, the Arts Centre Melbourne comprises Hamer Hall, the State Theatre, the Playhouse, Fairfax Studio and several gallery spaces. The building officially opened in 1984 and features metal webbing and a signature spire that stretches 162 meters and is illuminated nightly.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points

See Our Culture Trips

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.