Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Melbourne Central Business District
Explore the magnificent Southbank riverfront, experience the city’s cultural charms in the arts precinct and see a glimpse of colonial history in central Melbourne.

The tree-lined streets of Melbourne’s Central Business District may be laid out on a grid, but there’s much more than meets the eye behind the façades of stunning heritage buildings and in the maze of graffiti-covered laneways.

Melbourne CBD is the city’s inner hub for nightlife, shopping, dining, sightseeing and entertainment. A good place to begin is the historic icon, Flinders Street Station. The train station’s Swanston Street intersection includes the stunning neo-Gothic St. Paul’s Cathedral, the cultural hub of Federation Square and a classic Australian corner pub.

Wake up with a fresh cup of Melbourne’s famous coffee from a café in the narrow Degraves Street. Try local delicacies and fresh produce at the historic Queen Victoria Market. Enjoy a shopper’s paradise in Bourke Street Mall or Melbourne Central. Upmarket designer stores can be found in northern Collins Street, while factory outlet stores line Spencer Street.

Take in some of Melbourne’s finest collections of art at the Southbank riverside arts precinct, which includes the imposing National Gallery of Victoria, the Arts Centre and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, as well as a magnificent collection of cutting-edge theatre venues. Admire the ever-changing murals in nearby Hosier Lane or check out the latest in cinema at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Don’t miss seeing a musical at one of the CBD’s historic theatres. Have a pre-show dinner at one of the fine-dining restaurants dotted around the city or make your selection from the dining precincts along Hardware Lane, Meyers Place, Curtin House, the Southbank Promenade and Chinatown on Little Bourke Street.

Look over modern Melbourne from the dizzying skydeck of the Eureka Building or see penguins and crocodiles at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, on the banks of the Yarra River. Birrarung Marr, by the Yarra, offers a peaceful oasis of Wurundjeri Aboriginal heritage in the city.

Melbourne CBD is accessible via major train, tram and bus lines and there are plenty of parking spaces. Explore on foot or catch free trams within the central network. Chat to the staff at the Melbourne Visitor Centre in Federation Square to find out what festivals and events are on during your visit.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Melbourne Central Business District Hotel Deals

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$102 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$102
per night
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,135 reviews)
"Great location for easy transport to GP"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$135 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$135
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,686 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff and comfortable room. Our only issue was condensation dripping from the ceiling in the shower which was annoying . As we were only staying one night we reported it to the front desk upon leaving"

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$225 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
AU$225
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9/10 Wonderful! (270 reviews)
"Date night"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Rydges Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$130 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
AU$130
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,193 reviews)
Very central to get around
"It was very central and the staff were pleasant. The room was clean there were a few thinks that need attending to - the pillow's need replacing and tv set is hard to use and you have to work most if it if apps which is not what I want in holidays just want to turn it on and it works air conditioning ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Stamford Plaza Melbourne
5 out of 5
111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$209 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
AU$209
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,106 reviews)
A happy stay
"This hotel was very nice, a good location and we would stay there again"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
4 out of 5
206 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$159 per night from 15 Apr to 16 Apr
AU$159
per night
15 Apr - 16 Apr
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy breakfast, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7,192 reviews)
"Great stay again, would be better if king beds, very convenient location and having available parking underground a bonus"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Melbourne Central Business District

Southbank which includes city views, a high-rise building and a city

Yarra Riverfront

The stunning river views and popular shops are just a few highlights of Yarra Riverfront. Make a stop by Crown Casino or Collins Street while you're exploring the area.

Yarra Riverfront
Docklands which includes a bay or harbour, night scenes and a high-rise building

Docklands

Travellers come to Docklands for its waterfront views, and you can see top attractions like Marvel Stadium and Collins Street while you're in town.

Docklands
Carlton Gardens showing château or palace, a park and a pond

Carlton

Carlton is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens while you're in town.

Carlton
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Southbank

Are you interested in stunning river views, first-class casinos and popular shops? A visit to Southbank might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Crown Casino and Melbourne Skydeck.

Southbank
Fitzroy Gardens featuring heritage architecture, a house and a garden

East Melbourne

Known for its abundant dining options and colourful gardens, there's plenty to explore in East Melbourne. Top attractions like Melbourne Cricket Ground and Collins Street are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Jolimont Station or Parliament Station to see more of the city.

East Melbourne
Richmond which includes a park and a playground

Richmond

Travellers choose Richmond for its ample dining options. Hop aboard the metro at Richmond Station or Burnley Station and check out top sights like Bridge Road.

Richmond


Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

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