NARRM / MELBOURNE
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne);
the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nations. I pay my respect to their Elders past and present. I wish to honour their unbroken spirit, rich Culture and connection to Country for more than 2,000 generations. Today, the city of Melbourne is a significant gathering place for Aboriginal Peoples.​
Australia is one of the most multicultural and socially successful societies in the world, uniting a multitude of cultures, experiences, beliefs, traditions, choices and values. We owe our nations’ accomplishments to the contribution of more than 300 different ancestries, from Indigenous Australians to the newest arrivals.
I have no doubt that you will feel a warm welcome from the 5.5 million+ people that call Melbourne home. The outgoing city spirit embraces change whilst respecting heritage. Here, we celebrate diversity and share a common sense of place and pride.
Enjoy the personality of this city and the people within it!
Matt Adnate's mural of an Indigenous boy looking over Hosier Lane, out towards Birrarung Marr.
CBD
It's not what you think...
In Australia, CBD stands for ‘Central Business District’. The CBD is the beating heart of a city, home to towering office buildings, bustling laneways, public transport hubs and countless cafés. Whilst both your version and our version of CBD might bring a sense of calm in different ways, in this context, it’s all about the hustle, not the hemp!
CITY GRID
The Melbourne city grid, also known as the Hoddle Grid, is the original layout of Melbourne’s CBD. It was surveyed in 1837 by Robert Hoddle and remains one of the most recognisable urban designs in Australia. The city grid has become a celebrated part of Melbourne’s character, especially thanks to its laneway culture, street art, cafés and hidden arcades. The grid consists of 48 rectangular blocks, separated by parallel streets. The city blocks are made of 1 mile streets and half mile streets. The best way to get around is on foot or by utilising the free tram network.
TRAMS
Melbourne operates the largest urban tram network in the world and it has become an iconic part of the city. Trams are not just a form of transport, but they are a symbol of the city’s charm, character and history. Trams share the road with cars and pedestrians, so it’s important to be street safe, especially if you're from overseas and habitually walk/drive on the opposite side of the road.
Melbourne offers free tram travel within the Free Tram Zone which covers much of the CBD and Docklands. You don’t need a Myki card (travel card) as long as your entire journey stays within this area. Additionally, the City Circle Tram (Route 35) is a completely free heritage tram that loops around the city with onboard commentary; perfect for sightseeing. Just remember: if you travel beyond the Free Tram Zone, you’ll need to tap on with a Myki card. These can be purchased at any transport hub or 711 store.
BIRRARUNG
The Yarra River
Most Melbournians would know the Yarra River as a brown and polluted waterway, but to the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, the Yarra is known as the ‘Birrarung’. The Birrarung was once beautiful and blue, abundant with fish, eels, dolphins, sharks and stingrays. This river was the main food source for Indigenous Peoples in traditional times. When the British came to Melbourne, their sheep and cattle decimated traditional bush tucker (food) and it has since, never recovered.
A Wurundjeri person was guiding the British up the Birrarung and was saying ‘Yarro Yarro’, referring to where there was once a waterfall (situated where the bottom of Elizabeth Street is today). This language barrier and misunderstanding is how the ‘Yarra’ got its name.
Today, the Birrarung continues to flow through the heart of Melbourne's CBD. The river is a reminder that this bustling city stands on ancient, unceded land. Recognising its true name and history is a small but powerful step toward honouring the enduring connection that First Nations peoples have to Country.
ALLEYS &
LANEWAYS
There is always something new to discover in Melbourne’s hive of bustling creative laneways. About 200 of them are filled with hidden boutiques, restaurants, hole-in-the-wall cafes, bars and MUCH more. Get out there and explore!
BOUTIQUES
Looking for luxury fashion, casual streetwear, unique jewellery, new shoes or Aussie souvenirs? Melbourne’s alleys and laneways have you covered! Level 2 of Emporium Melbourne is devoted entirely to Australian designers, featuring everything from iconic names like Alannah Hill, Gorman and Jac + Jack to contemporary labels such as Dion Lee. This collection forms Australia’s largest showcase of homegrown fashion under one roof!
STREET ART
Melbourne is world-renowned for its vibrant street art scene, with its CBD laneways acting as ever-evolving open-air galleries. Check out the iconic spots like Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane, Caledonian Lane and Croft Alley which showcase everything from large-scale murals to intricate stencils and paste-ups, often changing overnight. You can explore these on a self-guided walk or join a street art tour led by local artists for deeper insight.
Beyond the city centre, suburbs like Fitzroy and Collingwood (easily accessible via tram) also boast powerful artworks, including the famous Keith Haring mural. Whether you're a casual visitor or a street art enthusiast, Melbourne’s laneways are a must-see celebration of creativity, culture, and social expression.
QUEEN VIC
MARKETS
Queen Victoria Market (affectionately known as the ‘Vic Market’) has been Melbourne’s lively heart since 1878, sprawling over two city blocks and holding the title of the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. With more than 600+ stalls, it’s a go-to spot for fresh produce, quality meats, seafood, artisan cheeses, global street food and unique crafts.
Catch the free tram within the CBD to the Vic Markets and make your way to stalls 17 - 19 in the F-Shed Laneway to find the Purpose Precinct; a dedicated social enterprise hub designed to support Victorian businesses with social and environmental missions. Rather than purchasing plastic souveniers made in China, make your purchases count. Know that every dollar you spend at the Purpose Precinct supports local communities, sustainability and meaningful social justice in Australia and beyond.
FEDERATION
SQUARE
The Commonwealth of Australia was created in 1901 with the federation of all states. New Zealand and Fiji were asked to join the party but politely declined. Tasmania was also invited and opted in, hence the geography of Australia today.
100 years of federation was celebrated in 2001 and the Federation Square precinct was built. The National Gallery of Victoria is home to the largest collection of Australian art in the world and admission is completely free.
TOWN HALL
By 1850 Melbourne’s population grew to 30,000. This was before the Victorian gold rush in 1951 which caused an explosive population boom. After gol was struck, beautiful buildings were built in Melbourne. The first was the Town Hall building which was completed in 1854, demolished in the 1860s and rebuilt in 1870. The balcony was built 20 years later and the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, ABBA and The Beatles have greeted the city from here. Today, it is a public hall that hosts many events, with a beautiful grand organ inside.
CAPITOL
THEATRE
The Capitol Theatre is famous for its extravagant decor and abstract motifs, including an intricate geometric ceiling containing thousands of coloured lamps. Proposals in the early 1960s to demolish the theatre sparked one of Australia’s first major heritage conservation campaigns. While the cinema was saved, its seating capacity was reduced and parts of the original ground lrevel foyer were replaced by a shopping arcade.
BLOCK
ARCADE
The Block Arcade is another product of Victoria’s colonial past and is now well-known for boutique shopping. The arcade’s name derives from the popular social practice of 'doing the block'; a fashionable promenade along Collins Street where people used to dress elegantly to shop and be seen. This iconic building is celebrated for its lavish interior featuring mosaic tile floors, a delicate glass canopy upheld by cast and wrought iron and detailed timber shop fronts. Its external façades, rising six storeys high, are standout examples of Victorian Mannerist architectural style.
MELBOURNE
MUSEUM
Melbourne Museum is Australia’s largest museum and a striking piece of modern architecture. Opened in 2000, it showcases natural and cultural history through highlights such as the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the Melbourne Story exhibition, interactive galleries and its famous dinosaur fossils. The precinct also includes IMAX Melbourne, offering one of the world’s largest cinema screens. Easily accessible by tram, train or bus, the museum is a vibrant hub of science, history and culture.
NATIONAL
GALLERY
VICTORIA
OF
The NGV is Australia’s oldest and largest public art museum, famous for its water-wall entrance, stained-glass ceiling and The Ian Potter Centre: dedicated to Australian Art. NGV’s collections span First Nations art, Australian colonial pieces, European masters, Asian art, photography, fashion and design, with free entry to permanent displays and ticketed access for special exhibitions.