Royal Exhibition Building

The Royal Exhibition Building was built in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens to host the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition.

Purpose-designed to be a Great Hall that is typical of the buildings built during of the international exhibition movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the building is the oldest surving of its kind from that era.

Combining elements from the Byzantine, Romanesque, Lombardic, and Italian Renaissance styles, the design for the Royal Exhibition Building’s dome was influenced by Brunelleschi’s cathedral dome in Florence.

The building was the site of Australia's first Federal Parliament in 1901. In 2004 it became Australia’s first building to be given World Heritage listing.

Today, dozens of trade fairs, public expos, and cultural events are still held at annually at this Melbourne landmark.

When the building is not in use for events and exhibitions, visitors are able to go on a guided tour. The tour starts at 2pm in the foyer at Melbourne Museum.