Culture and ideas walk

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.


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.

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.