Welcome to Melbourne's City Centre

Melbourne’s city centre is extremely dynamic and entertaining. Streets or small pockets, the city centre boasts around 15 precincts with their own charm including Chinatown, Collin Street, the Greek precinct, Lygon Street, St Kilda Road and the Hardware precinct.
Melbourne’s city centre can be divided in five distinct suburbs offering a unique atmosphere and showcasing great attractions.

The Central Business District (CBD) is Melbourne’s business and financial centre. It is home to retail, financial, legal, administrative, recreational, tourist and entertainment facilities. The CBD is in fact a city within a city. Here, you’ll find services operating 24 hours a day. For great shopping, stroll in Collins Street and Chinatown. Appreciate the beauty of Melbourne town Hall and Saint Paul’s Cathedral, and visit the Old Melbourne Gaol and the Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre. For the best view of the city take the lift to the Observation Deck at the Rialto tower. The CBD also boasts the Art Centre, and lots of theatres and venues.

Carlton is one of the most lively and diverse suburbs in the city of Melbourne. Traditionally home of the Italian community; experience Melbourne’s Little Italy in Lygon Street. Sit down at one of the double-storey Victorian terraces and try some delicious pizza or pasta dishes. Lygon Street is the place where the city’s famous café culture was born, with the arrival of Melbourne’s first espresso machine in the 1950s. Further down the street, you’ll find bookshops, galleries and plenty of shops selling the latest European and Australian fashions. Carlton also features the beautiful Carlton Gardens, the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Centre, the Melbourne Museum and La Mama Theatre. For a giant entertainment you can also watch an amazing movie at the IMAX Theatre. In Carlton the atmosphere is young, trendy and cosmopoliitan.

Docklands is the newest Melbourne suburb. It offers a range of entertainment, marinas, parks, eye-catching street artworks, beautiful waterfront restaurants and lovely shops that you will surely enjoy. If you are looking for a bit of sport or music events, the Telstra Dome is waiting for you. Docklands is truly changing the look and feel of Melbourne. It is well connected with surrounding areas and is six times bigger than Sydney's Circular Quay.

Fitzroy is home to Melbourne’s bohemian culture. Experience a mix of alternative, artistic and trendy ambience, and discover fascinating collection of young designer, retro clothes shops, bookshops, galleries, cafes and restaurants. Featuring a myriad of electric art, recycled fashion, pop culture and workshops, Fitzroy has a unique atmosphere.

Brunswick Street, Fitzroy’s arterial street, offers cafes, restaurants and bars serving breakfast all day. It is maybe a consequence of its famous and vibrant nightlife.
Have a look also at the multicultural Smith Street. The new alternative to Brunswick Street, Smith Street is well-known for its fine vegetarian and whole foods from Greek and Moroccan to Asian cuisine. And if you are looking for tapas and flamenco bars, then Johnston Street is for you. Johnston Street is, in fact, Melbourne’s Spanish quarter.

Southbank boasts a stunning riverside promenade along the Yarra River. Fill-up with cafes, restaurants and shops, it’s nice to take a walk and stop for a café or a delicious meal with water view. Keen shoppers will be delighted by the presence of Southgate Shopping Complex and the Crown Entertainment Complex. Southbank is also an important cultural hub that includes the Melbourne Arts Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, the Malthouse Theatre and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art and Victorian College of the Arts. At night, you can enjoy the glittering casino and lots of exciting attractions open until late.

Melbourne City Centre is ideal if you want to stay where all is happening without having to travel far. Shopping, Museum, arts, dining, or nightlife, it’s busy, but so much fun!