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

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
4 out of 5
589-599 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$203 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$203
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,513 reviews)
"The hotel offers a big breakfast buffet, but more on quantity than quality. It's very convenient because there are many small, reasonable dining options within walking distance. Only a 2-minute walk to the train station. Would stay here again. You just need a bit of patience with the elevator as ..."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Dorsett Melbourne
Dorsett Melbourne
4 out of 5
615 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$194 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$194
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,348 reviews)
"Will stay next time in Melbourne"

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Dorsett Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$126 per night from 13 July to 14 July
NZ$126
13 July - 14 July
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! (3,009 reviews)
"Good."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$97 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$97
7 July - 8 July
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! (2,140 reviews)
"Good option in cbd"

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Grand Hyatt Melbourne
5 out of 5
123 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$277 per night from 18 July to 19 July
NZ$277
18 July - 19 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Exceptional"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
Pegasus Apart'Hotel
4 out of 5
206 A'Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$148 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$148
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Melbourne. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness center, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (7,941 reviews)
"Nicely decorated, Clean and neat. Warm reception."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

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 Royal Exhibition Building 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
Fitzroy showing signage and a house

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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