Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating
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

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$142 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$142
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
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! (1,970 reviews)
"My only "complaint" was it was tricky to have a sleep in when my room was located right at bottom of short stretch of stairs. Was woken early a number of times from trollleys (?) Going up/down the stairs. Other than that, everytging was great. Wish I had longer to take a dip in the pool"

Reviewed on 30 Oct. 2024

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
3.5 out of 5
44 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$109 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$109
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,603 reviews)
"Great Stay"

Reviewed on 28 Oct. 2024

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$141 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$141
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,672 reviews)
"Zero complaints. Quick check in, clean and spacious room, 5 minute walk to southern cross station if you have an early/late flight and want to take the skybus into town."

Reviewed on 29 Oct. 2024

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
Rydges Melbourne
4.5 out of 5
186 Exhibition Street,, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$252 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$252
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (395 reviews)
"Great location, friendly staff, very nice room, great amenities"

Reviewed on 28 Oct. 2024

Rydges 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 NZ$212 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
NZ$212
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,454 reviews)
"Loved our stay"

Reviewed on 29 Oct. 2024

Stamford Plaza Melbourne
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
589-599 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is NZ$201 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
NZ$201
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
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! (981 reviews)
Comfortable and convenient
"Conveniently located to Southern cross station and tram stops making it an ideal location to access all Melbourne has to offer. Comfortable room and having breakfast included is good"

Reviewed on 27 Oct. 2024

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins, an IHG 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
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South Melbourne

Travellers enjoy South Melbourne for its spas and zoo. Consider checking out South Melbourne Market while you're in the area.

South Melbourne


Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

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