Royal Historical Society of Victoria Bookshop

The bookshop covers every aspect of Victoria's history - everything from gorgeous coffee-table books on Melbourne's heritage to hard-to-find local histories on St Kilda, Echuca, Castlemaine, and other Victorian places, the history of many migrant groups in Victoria, a huge selection on Indigenous history as well as secondhand and antiquarian books.

The bookshop is in a 1938 heritage-listed Drill Hall and features well-preserved art deco detail. The unusual building is worth a visit if you are interested in Melbourne's built heritage. The current free exhibition is on the history of the Yarra River through the eyes of artists and writers.

Open late until 7pm on 25-27 November for Christmas shopping and the hugely popular annual second hand book fair. They offer Christmas cheer and free gift-wrapping for purchases made.

Their just launched 'The Story of Melbourne's Lanes' is a gorgeous lavishly illustrated hardback history of Melbourne's lanes and the perfect Christmas present.