Heart of the city walk

Wander Melbourne’s famous city grid to see legendary landmarks, iconic malls, hidden little streets and art-filled alleys. Crammed with historical facades, beautiful boutiques and world-class dining, this is the locals' guide to the heart of the city.

This walk is approximately 2.5km and takes around 90 minutes.

A drone shot of Fed Square at dusk, with a heart-shape of lights surrounding a central stage in the middle of a huge crowd.

1. Fed Square

The city's public square is also home to world-class art, Aboriginal culture, restaurants and bars.

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.

Discover more about Fed Square

Three spires of St Paul's Cathedral building on Flinders Street.

2. St Paul's Cathedral

This grand cathedral was the site of the first public Christian services in Melbourne.

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.

Discover more about St Paul's Cathedral

3. Flinders Lane

Browse boutique fashion and foodie hot spots, plus street art in the neighbouring laneways.

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.

Audience in curved rows of seating looking towards the stage curtain inside the Regent Theatre.

4. Regent Theatre and Plaza Ballroom

This roaring 1920s era theatre is the spot to catch touring musicals.

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.

Discover more about Regent Theatre and Plaza Ballroom

Neo-classical, heritage-listed, Melbourne Town Hall building on Swanston Street.

5. Melbourne Town Hall

The heart of the city’s cultural and civic activity also hosts theatre, receptions and exhibitions.

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.

Discover more about Melbourne Town Hall

Heritage-listed Athenaeum building, with columns and ornate capitals.

6. Athenaeum Theatre

This heritage-listed venue hosts comedy, music and theatre.

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.

Discover more about Athenaeum Theatre

7. Assembly Hall

See quirky window displays of antiquarian books and a Gothic Revival facade dating back to 1914.

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.

People sit on a bench outside the brightly lit windows of the Fendi store in Collins Street.

8. Collins Street

High-end fashion meets iconic architecture in Melbourne's renowned Collins Street.

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.

Columns and building of Parliament House lit at night.

9. Parliament House

Book a tour to discover splendid architecture at one of Melbourne's best known landmarks.

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.

Discover more about Parliament House

Exterior of the Princess Theatre, lit up by night, with signage for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'.

10. Princess Theatre

This spectacular landmark is host to some of world’s most successful productions.

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.

Discover more about Princess Theatre

11. Chinatown

Stop for yum cha or dumplings in the Southern Hemisphere’s oldest Chinatown.

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 Mall at dusk, with a tram and the GPO building in view.

12. Bourke Street Mall

Feel the buzz and shop local in the heart of Melbourne's retail precinct.

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'.

More to explore

Want to see more of Melbourne’s central sites? Find church turrets, stop by a slick new skyscraper and watch the sun sink behind the skyline from a favourite rooftop bar.