Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Central Business District, Victoria

March 17, 2022 Jana Sager

Lovely, laid-back Melbourne has something for everyone: family fare, local and international art, haute boutiques, multicultural dining, Australian and Aboriginal history, spectator sports, and pulsing, swanky nightlife. Cruise on the free City Circle Tram loop to check out unique attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Healesville Sanctuary, which buzzes with local animal species.
Restaurants in Melbourne

1. Old Melbourne Gaol

377 Russell St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 9656 9889 [email protected] http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au
Excellent
56%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,207 reviews

Old Melbourne Gaol

Step back in time and walk the road to the gallows in a 19th century prison, be arrested in a modern-day Police Station or put yourself on trial in court.Home to Melbourne's oldest prison, historic Magistrates' Court and former Police City Watch House, Russell Street has been at the heart of crime, law and order in Melbourne since the 1840s. Most of Australia’s infamous characters, including iconic bushranger, Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor have spent time within the walls of this amazing precinct. A ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol grants you visiting rights to the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia.

Reviewed By giselaleiva - Sydney, Australia

A truly unique experience the guides were a very good source of information as well as the role play that gave us a bit of an understanding of the prisoner's experience. The displays in the cells was very good and informative. I found the whole experience a bit emotional

2. Collins Street

Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Excellent
47%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 801 reviews

Collins Street

Reviewed By christoskontas - Thessaloniki, Greece

Connects the historical past with the brilliant present. Visitors will see everything on this road. Historic buildings of fine architecture, luxury hotels, banks, multinational companies, fine shops, shopping malls and central sights. The eastern end of Collins Street has been known as the 'Paris End' since the 1950s due to its numerous heritage buildings, old street trees, high-end shopping boutiques, and for the first sidewalk cafes in the city. Blocks further west centred around Queen Street became the financial heart of Melbourne in the 19th century, with major banks and insurance companies, till now with the most prestigious office blocks and skyscrapers along its length. We had the opportunity to enjoy walking up and down Collins Street daily as our hotel was right here. Charming road, where each Melbourne visitor should be here at least once.

3. St Paul's Cathedral

Cnr Flinders & Swanston Streets, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 9653 4333 [email protected] http://www.stpaulscathedral.org.au/
Excellent
49%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,408 reviews

St Paul's Cathedral

St Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a beautiful, historic building, situated in the centre of the City of Melbourne, Australia. It is a place of worship and prayer. St Paul's is built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were led by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836. Soon afterwards a small wooden chapel was built elsewhere, and the area became a corn market until 1848, when it was made available for the building of the bluestone St Paul's Parish Church. Consecrated in 1852, this Church was used until 1885, when it was demolished to make way for the present Cathedral. The decision to build on the site of the existing church was made because of its proximity to the railway and soon to be completed cable tramway service.The Swanston Street and Flinders Street corner remains one of Melbourne's busiest intersections today, ensuring the Cathedral is a place at the heart of city life.

Reviewed By WorldTravla7 - Cairns, Australia

Right in the Melbourne CBD just a stones throw from Federation Square on Flinders St is the magnificent and iconic St Paul’s Cathedral. Even if you are not religious I’d recommend going along to a Sunday service just to witness the whole package of St Paul’s (Neo-Gothic architecture, built in 1880) with its twin spires & high ceiling, intricate mosaic work and stain glass storybook windows together with full choir, church music (church bells and pipe organ) and sermon. It is a solemn experience and really quite something. Entry is free. You have to pay to take photos (I learnt this after the fact!).

4. Block Arcade

282 Collins St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 9654 5244 http://theblock.com.au/
Excellent
61%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,064 reviews

Block Arcade

Voted #8 of 323 things to do and see in Melbourne by Tripadvisor and winning the 2015 Travellers' Choice Award, join us on a personalised guided walk through one of Melbourne's most grand and historic landmarks,The Block Arcade. Built in 1892 and modelled on the Galleria Vittoria Emanuele in Milan, The Block Arcade is a heritage listed shopping arcade situated on Melbourne's Golden Mile and home to the largest mosaic floor in the southern hemisphere, its magnificent glass dome and the iconic Hopetoun Tearooms. Suitable for all ages, a guided walk through the Arcade will take you on a historical journey back to the early days of the Colony and a glimpse into Melbourne's rich and colourful history. Venture upstairs, which is not accessible to the general public, as you view the Arcade from its many windows and causeway. Tours run twice a week on Tuesdays or Thursdays. 11am - 12pm at $15 p/p 2 - 3.30pm at $22 p/p and includes a Devonshire afternoon tea. For groups of more than 8, prior arrangements can be made for alternative times/days.

Reviewed By Annettee81 - Melbourne, Australia

The Block Arcade got an amazing tinder style history of men lining up around the Block to meet the women of their dreams, then the hand laid mosaic floors by imported Italian labourers, and the yummy cakes at the Hopetoun Coffee shop - be sure to make time to line up.

5. St. Francis Church

326 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 9663 2495 http://www.stfrancismelbourne.org.au/
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 78 reviews

St. Francis Church

Reviewed By 619je - Keysborough, Australia

St Francis Church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in Melbourne. It is also very busy; Mass is said almost around the clock. It is a favourite church for city workers.

6. Melbourne Town Hall

Corner Swanston Street and Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 9658 9658 [email protected] http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-melbourne/melbourne-heritage/history/pages/melbourne-town-hall-history.aspx
Excellent
43%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 325 reviews

Melbourne Town Hall

Completed in 1870, the Melbourne Town Hall is at the heart of the city's cultural and civic activity, hosting theatre, weddings, receptions and exhibitions. So many of the decisions that have helped shape Melbourne were made within the heritage-listed Town Hall. A mix of bluestone and Tasmanian freestone, the classically designed building features a clock tower and fine masonry. To go behind the scenes and visit the grand Council Chambers and stand where the Beatles and Abba waved from the impressive portico, take a Town Hall tour. As well as the Council Chambers, the Town Hall features a large auditorium, which was remodelled following a fire in 1925 and includes panels decorated with sepia figures. The auditorium's Grand Organ has featured in cutting-edge performances by a range of artists including Philip Glass, Paul Grabowski and the Necks. A free lunchtime concert series has been running since 2003, and the Grand Organ Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the organ and breathe air into its venerable pipes. Join a free Melbourne Town Hall Tour from Monday to Friday with tours departing at 11am and 1pm. Bookings essential.

Reviewed By jrtakesontheworld - Australia, null

The Melbourne Town Hall is certainly decked out around Christmas time. We visited the Town Hall later in the night to view the light show projected onto its facade. Being a 'first-timer', I was entertained by the light show, which is on a rotation, although I suppose you can become jaded by that sort of thing. Well worth a visit.

7. Museum of Chinese Australian History

22 Cohen Pl, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 9662 2888 [email protected] http://chinesemuseum.com.au
Excellent
43%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 163 reviews

Museum of Chinese Australian History

Located in the heart of Melbourne's Chinatown, the Chinese Museum's five floors showcase the heritage and culture of Australia's Chinese community. Our purpose is to operate a museum, to promote and preserve Chinese Culture and history - especially of Australian-Chinese history in Australia.

Reviewed By Leatraveler - Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne's Chinese history is really interesting. The unspoken yellow tax of Australian's history is revealed here. In the heart of China town and free on Chinese New Year.

8. Hardware Lane

Melbourne, Victoria Australia +61 3 9600 1697
Excellent
51%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 488 reviews

Hardware Lane

Reviewed By 2busyoutandabout - Melbourne, Australia

A great place to go for a bite or just a coffee with many restaurants with outdoor seating to choose from to satisfy your needs.

9. Degraves Street

Degraves Street, Melbourne, Victoria Australia 9001340118 http://www.sea-salt.com.au
Excellent
52%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,776 reviews

Degraves Street

Reviewed By rizzy80 - Bristol, United Kingdom

Situated Just off the main Flinders Street you can escape down this lovely little street/alleyway full to bursting with cafes all serving great coffee and delicious plates particularly for breakfast. We went to a different cafe every day and they were all different but all good too.

10. ANZ Bank Museum

380 Collins St Gothic Bank, Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Australia +61 3 8655 5152 https://www.anz.com/shareholder/centre/about/history/banking-museum/
Excellent
59%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 79 reviews

ANZ Bank Museum

The ANZ Banking museum has temporarily closed - however it is worth visiting the ANZ Branch next door at 388 Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000. Completed by The English, Scottish and Australia Bank, in May 1887, the 'Gothic' Bank (as it's known) was designed by William Wardell. The building is an example of secular Gothic, the style is restrained externally, and internally graceful and ornate.

Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia

The ANZ Bank is the result of the merging of several British banks operating in Australia. The Gothic Bank was the banking chamber of the English, Scottish and Australian Bank (ES&A). It opened for business in 1887 and it's still a functioning bank. It's worth taking a look even if you're not an ANZ customer, it's a magnificent sight. The Esanda finance company derived its name from the ES&A Bank. In the old days, a magnificent banking chamber helped convince customers that the bank was sound.

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