Heart of the city walk

Explore contemporary Australian art at the NGV's Ian Potter Centre, discover the moving image at ACMI, or learn about Aboriginal history at the Koorie Heritage Trust.

Snap a photo with the odd angles of the buildings in Fed Square and take in the river views with a glass of wine in hand at Pilgrim Bar.

Admire the neo-Gothic architecture of St Paul's Cathedral on Melbourne’s busiest intersection. Step inside to see the beautiful mosaic tiles and light a candle.

Then, take a shortcut through Chapter House Lane and grab a cuppa at Chapter House Coffee.

Explore the fashion heaven of Flinders Lane and be sure to try something on in Alpha 60. Sip cocktails at Curious while you wait for a table at cult favourite restaurants Chin Chin and Supernormal.

Head to nearby AC/DC Lane or Hosier Lane to snap a selfie with the street art.

Dress up for a big-ticket show at the Regent or visit the ballroom, a lavish events space with rococo architecture.

Surrounding the theatre are the glamorous Dior boutique, shoe emporium Miss Louise and five-star hotel, The Westin.

Completed in 1870, the grand old Melbourne Town Hall is built from bluestone and Tasmanian freestone.

Delve deeper with a Town Hall tour to see the enormous Grand Organ and carved ceilings.

Built in 1839, Melbourne’s oldest theatre is a former a Mechanics Institute that housed a museum and a library that is still open today.

Treat your ears to a Melbourne Opera performance, or visit during the Comedy Festival for big belly laughs.

Look for the ‘old and rare books’ sign on the historic Assembly Hall building and you’ll find Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller.

This Melbourne institution has been stocking rare and second-hand titles since 1965. Browse the shelves for your next read or spot the shop’s hidden owls.

Affectionately known as the ‘Paris end’, the top of Collins Street is home to luxury retailers and heritage churches.

Shop your heart out at Hermes, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Or visit the five-star Sofitel Melbourne hotel.

Established in 1883, The Hotel Windsor predates London’s Savoy and The Ritz in Paris.

Book a famous high tea or check out the iconic bats on display at the Cricketers Bar.

The Parliament House steps are a favourite setting for wedding photography. Climb to the top for a view of the city.

This site was a traditional meeting place for the East Kulin Nation, favoured for inter-clan gatherings and ceremonies. The Aboriginal flag has flown here since 2015.

Facing Parliament is the haunted Princess Theatre. Federici the opera-singing ghost brings good luck on opening nights - a seat is always left empty for him.

Follow the lanterns down Little Bourke Street to discover traditional cuisine in the Midcity or Village Centre arcades.

See the winding Chinese dragons at the Chinese Museum, sing your heart out at karaoke or discover a laneway cocktail bar.

Bourke Street's glamorous department stores Myer and David Jones have been keeping Melbourne stylish for more than 100 years.

On the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets you'll find the beloved bronze sculpture 'Three Businessmen Who Brought Their Own Lunch'.