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  • World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building set in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens.
  • Ornately-painted arches and high windows Inside the World Heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building.
  • World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building illuminated with a purple light at dusk.
  • World Heritage listed Royal Exhibition Building set in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens.

Royal Exhibition Building

  • Heritage listed
  • Landmark

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.

Location

Royal Exhibition Building
9 Nicholson St
Carlton 3053

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Australian Aboriginal Flag Torres Strait Islander Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung and Wadawurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin have to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We are committed to our reconciliation journey, because at its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, for the benefit of all Victorians.

For more information, visit Aboriginal Melbourne.

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