What’s the difference between street art and graffiti?

In Melbourne City, street art is legal when created with permission. Street art typically features images, while graffiti is often word-based.

Notable street art spots in Melbourne’s CBD include Hosier Lane, Caledonian Lane, Duck Place, Union Lane, and Rutledge Lane.

Hosier Lane is famous for its ever-evolving display of Melbourne’s finest street art and remains one of the top destinations for street art enthusiasts in the CBD.

Queen Victoria Market was officially opened in 1878 and has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. Starting as a small market to the east of the city, it has slowly expanded to the size seen today.

This market is one of Melbourne's best tourist attractions, offering a variety of fruit and vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood, and gourmet and deli foods. It also has many stalls selling a diverse range of clothing, shoes, jewellery and handmade goods.

St Patrick’s Cathedral is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, located in Eastern Melbourne along Albert Street. Designed on a traditional east-west axis, the cathedral’s altar at the eastern end represents the belief in Christ’s resurrection. Construction began in 1858, and the building was officially completed in 1939. Over its long history, the cathedral has become an iconic symbol of Melbourne’s religious and cultural heritage.

The City Circle Tram offers a free, convenient way to explore central Melbourne and the Docklands on one of the city’s iconic heritage trams. Introduced in 1994, the route passes major attractions and runs along the CBD and Docklands waterfront. Operating every 12 minutes, the loop takes around 60 minutes, with 10 trams running in each direction, serving around 3 million passengers annually. Simply wait at any City Circle Tram stop marked with a City Circle sign to hop on.

Flinders Street Station is one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks, completed in 1909. Australia’s oldest train station, it features a distinctive yellow façade and green copper dome. Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, its 708-metre platform is the 4th largest in the world. Serving Melbourne’s entire metropolitan rail network, the station spans two city blocks from Swanston to Queen Streets, near the Yarra River. It is the busiest suburban station in the southern hemisphere, with over 1500 trains and 100,000 daily commuters.

Federation Square, Melbourne’s first public square, is home to cultural attractions, events, restaurants, bars, and specialty stores. Opened in 2002, it has welcomed over 90 million visitors and remains one of Melbourne’s top attractions. Located opposite Flinders Street Station and St Paul’s Cathedral, it sits next to the Yarra River. The Melbourne Visitor Centre is located here, making it a must-visit first stop for any traveler.

Docklands is a vibrant suburb located just 2 km west of Melbourne's City Centre, offering a range of exciting events and attractions year-round.

Harbour Town in Docklands goes beyond just shopping. With over 90 shops featuring direct outlets and speciality stores, as well as a variety of restaurants and cafes, it’s the perfect destination for a full day of shopping, dining, and entertainment with your family.

The Royal Arcade’s design began in 1868, over 146 years ago. Its construction was completed and officially opened in 1870. 

Originally built on a prime piece of land in Melbourne’s CBD, this plot was purchased for just 20 pounds (~A$36 AUD) when the city was first settled. Today, the same land is valued at multi-millions of dollars.

Recently, the arcade underwent renovations to restore its original charm and grandeur. After more than a century, the Royal Arcade continues to captivate millions of visitors each year, standing as a significant heritage building listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The Shrine of Remembrance serves as Victoria’s National War Memorial, honouring all who have served. The design of the Shrine draws inspiration from the Tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus and the Parthenon in Athens. Its square-plan structure is capped by a stepped pyramid, constructed using Tynong granite sourced from within Australia.

Inside, the Shrine features the Sanctuary, a high-vaulted space accessed through four tall Classical portals. At the center of the Sanctuary stands the ‘Stone of Remembrance.’

Parliament House is located at Spring Street, in the Melbourne City Centre. It has served as the seat of the Parliament of Victoria since 1855. 

Construction of the building began in 1855 and was completed in stages, finishing between 1856 and 1929. The architecture of Parliament House is an example of Roman Revival style, which drew inspiration from 11th and 12th century Romanesque architecture. This iconic building is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, reflecting its cultural and historical significance to the state of Victoria, Australia.

Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex, which opened in 1997, is located on the south bank of the Yarra River in Melbourne.

The complex spans 510,000 sqm—equivalent to two city blocks—making it one of the largest casino complexes in the world. It is the largest casino in the Southern Hemisphere, holding licenses for 500 table games and 2,500 poker machines.

Notable features of Crown Casino include its entrance atrium with stepped fountains, as well as sound and lighting displays designed around the four seasons.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is an internationally renowned botanical garden located near the heart of Melbourne. Covering 38 hectares, the gardens feature a stunning mix of native and exotic vegetation. They are also a hub of excellence for horticulture, science, and education.

Since its establishment, much of the native vegetation has been replaced as botanists introduced a wide range of plants from around the globe.

Immerse yourself in the garden's rich history, cultural significance, and breathtaking beauty.