Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating
Federation Square showing street scenes, modern architecture and a city
Melbourne Central Business District
Melbourne Central Business District
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

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne

4.5 out of 5
131-135 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$155 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
AU$155
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,949 reviews)
Melbourne
"Conveniently located near amenities. Food and transportation are plenty and within reach."

Reviewed on 10 Sep. 2025

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne
Meriton Suites Melbourne

Meriton Suites Melbourne

5 out of 5
140 King St, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$173 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
AU$173
15 Sept - 16 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a sauna, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (695 reviews)
"Great location close to Southern Cross Station. Lovely self contained apartment with quality amenities"

Reviewed on 9 Sep. 2025

Meriton Suites Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne

3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$94 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
AU$94
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,235 reviews)
Room with a view.
"This hotel is in a convenient location, walking distance to trains and trams and airport bus. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance"

Reviewed on 10 Sep. 2025

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne

3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$128 per night from 29 Sept to 30 Sept
AU$128
29 Sept - 30 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,173 reviews)
"All amenities look an feel clean. At level 6 the exercise room is good, Sauna and Pool nice under cover. In the shopping precint. New 2025 MECCA beuty shop only 700 metres walk.. Nice"

Reviewed on 12 Sep. 2025

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne

4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$130 per night from 15 Sept to 16 Sept
AU$130
15 Sept - 16 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,016 reviews)
"great location, easy access to dining and train. room is clean. will stay again."

Reviewed on 9 Sep. 2025

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne

Rydges Melbourne

4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is AU$212 per night from 29 Sept to 30 Sept
AU$212
29 Sept - 30 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (661 reviews)
"Everything"

Reviewed on 12 Sep. 2025

Rydges Melbourne
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 featuring a skyscraper, cbd 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 which includes a pond, a castle and a park

Carlton

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

Carlton
Default Image

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 which includes a garden, heritage architecture and a house

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
Fitzroy featuring a house and signage

Fitzroy

Gardens, bars and museums are some highlights of Fitzroy. Make a stop by Brunswick Street or Smith Street while you're exploring.

Fitzroy


Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

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