Culture and ideas walk

The city’s northern quarter is a hub of universities and institutions known as the Melbourne Innovation District. Find libraries, museums and sites of Aboriginal significance before heading to Lygon Street for everything little Italy has to offer.

This walk is approximately 5km and takes around 2 hours.

People looking up at the domed ceiling of the State Library Reading Room.

1. State Library Victoria

Dating from 1856, the library features magnificent architecture, reading rooms and exhibitions.

The State Library of Victoria is Melbourne’s UNESCO City of Literature hub. Visit the octagonal domed La Trobe Reading Room, exhibition spaces, Russell Street Welcome Zone cafe and Readings bookshop.

Discover more about State Library Victoria

A cyclist riding past the colourful facade of RMIT.

2. RMIT University

Known for design, technology and enterprise, with a must-see gallery and exhibition space.

Founded in 1887, RMIT University now spans several city blocks.

See the fractal geometric facade of Storey Hall, pop into the RMIT Gallery and admire the glass disc-covered RMIT Design Hub, on the corner of Swanston and Victoria streets.

3. Swanston Square Apartment Tower

A portrait of Aboriginal leader William Barak wraps around the facade of this building.

Woi Wurrung ngurungaeta (leader) William Barak (1823-1903) was an activist, artist and educator.

Standing by Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner, by Brook Andrew and Trent Walter.

4. Standing by Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner (Gallows Hill)

This artwork commemorates two Aboriginal men who were publicly hanged in Melbourne in 1842.

Behind the Melbourne City Baths is the artwork 'Standing by Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner' by Brook Andrew and Trent Walter.

It was commissioned in 2016 by the City of Melbourne to honour the two Aboriginal men who were hanged here in 1842.

Columns and pediment of neoclassical Trades Hall building.

5. Trades Hall

The birthplace of the Victorian Trade Union movement is now home to theatre and comedy.

Located on the corner of Lygon Street, the Victorian Trades Hall was built to commemorate the victory of the Eight Hour Day in 1856.

Discover more about Trades Hall

Neo-classical pediment and columns of College of Surgeons' Museum building.

6. College of Surgeons Museum

A collection of instruments objects and rare and historic books, related to the history of surgery.

The College of Surgeons' Museum displays a collection of instruments and objects, rare and historic books, and memorabilia related to the history of surgery.

Discover more about College of Surgeons Museum

A tree-lined stretch of grass, covered with autumn leaves, leading up to the Royal Exhibition Building.

7. Royal Exhibition Building

Dating from 1880, this historic domed building is located in the heritage-listed Carlton Gardens.

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.

Discover more about Royal Exhibition Building

8. Moreton Bay Fig Trees

In the Carlton Gardens, these trees were a historical meeting place for Aboriginal communities.

A woman and child stand watching a colourful projection across two walls.

9. Melbourne Museum

See legendary Melbourne Cup racehorse Phar Lap and learn about Aboriginal Culture.

See the stunning possum skin cloaks in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and wander through the indoor living Forest Gallery.

Discover more about Melbourne Museum

10. Argyle Square

Rest in Lygon Street’s picturesque Argyle Square with a coffee from the cute Parco kiosk.

Two people eat ice-cream outside Pidapipo on Lygon Street.

11. Lygon Street

Melbourne's Little Italy is beloved for its authentic pizzerias and boutique shopping.

If the rumours are true, The University Cafe (257 Lygon Street) was the first to install an espresso machine in 1952, kicking off Melbourne’s cafe culture love affair.

People sitting at cafe tables outside King and Godfree.

12. King & Godfree

This historic 1884 grocery is now a local's favourite deli, restaurant and wine bar.

Head to the rooftop bar for magnificent views of the city, and grab a gelato next door at Pidapipo.

Discover more about King & Godfree

Students strolling the grassy grounds of the University of Melbourne.

13. University of Melbourne

This historic campus was used as a filming location in the iconic movie Mad Max.

The underground gothic South Lawn Carpark at Melbourne University was used as a filming location in Mad Max (1979).

Nearby, find the four ancient River Red Gums, essential to the Woi Wurrung people for shelter, canoes and tools. 

Discover more about University of Melbourne

14. RMIT Social Innovation Hub

A unique model of co-services across health, urban design and education.

15. NGO Precinct

Home to Oxfam and the Australian Conservation Foundation as well as other 'green' tenants.

At number 130 is Oxfam, and at number 60 is the award-winning 60L Green Building, home to the Australian Conservation Foundation and other green tenants.

Take a tour or visit the Going Solar shop for sustainable tech.

Father and three children walking through Queen Victoria Market Deli hall with shopping and snacks.

16. Queen Victoria Market

Shop fresh produce and handmade crafts in the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere.

The Queen Victoria Market has been open since 1878. Previously the Old Melbourne Cemetery (until 1854), ithe market is an important site of Aboriginal burial grounds.

Discover more about Queen Victoria Market

More to explore

Innovation and new ideas share street blocks with historical sites.

Romanesque buildings

Historic buildings including the former City Watch House, Magistrates Court and Old Melbourne Gaol.

RMIT Advanced Manufacturing Precinct

Here, researchers work on 3D printing technology for aerospace and deference industries.

Melbourne Connect Innovation Precinct

Researchers here are using digital technology to shape a socially responsible and sustainabe future.

Download this walk

Download the Culture and ideas walk (PDF 575KB)