Culture and Ideas Walk (Central Melbourne)
The city’s northern quarter is a hub of universities and institutions known as the Melbourne Innovation District. Find libraries, museums and sites of Aboriginal significance before heading to Lygon Street’s Little Italy.
Explore the city’s northern quarter, where history, innovation and culture connect on this 5.0km (2 hour) walk.
Culture and Ideas Walk Map
Culture and Ideas Walk
Start at the State Library of Victoria (1), Melbourne’s UNESCO City of Literature hub, dating from 1856. Visit the octagonal domed La Trobe Reading Room, exhibition spaces and Readings bookshop.
Find RMIT University (2) on the adjacent Swanston and La Trobe streets block. Founded in 1887, it’s known for design and technology. See Storey Hall’s geometric facade, pop into RMIT Gallery and admire the glass disc-covered RMIT Design Hub, on the corner.
Towering above is the black and white Swanston Square apartment tower (3). A portrait of Woi Wurrung ngurungaeta (leader) William Barak (1823-1903) wraps around the facade. Known as King of the Yarra, Barak was an activist, artist and educator.
Behind the Melbourne City Baths on Victoria Street is Standing by Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner (4) by Brook Andrew and Trent Walter (2016), commissioned to honour the two Aboriginal men who were hanged here in 1842.
On the corner of Lygon Street is the Victorian Trades Hall (5), commemorating the 1856 Eight Hour Day victory.
Continue to the Carlton Gardens and the domed 1880 Royal Exhibition Building (6). The Moreton Bay Fig Trees (7) are a historical meeting place for Aboriginal communities and the site of addresses by leaders including Pastor Doug Nicholls.
Behind you is the Melbourne Museum (8). See the stunning possum skin cloaks in the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the legendary Melbourne Cup racehorse Phar Lap.
Head past the mammoth IMAX Theatre to Rathdowne Street, cross at the Pelham Street intersection, then rest awhile in Lygon Street’s Argyle Square (9).
Stroll north along Lygon Street (10), Melbourne’s Little Italy, beloved for its authentic pizzerias. If the rumours are true, The University Cafe (257 Lygon Street) was the first to install an espresso machine in 1952, kicking off Melbourne’s cafe culture love affair.
Stop in at King & Godfree (11) on the corner of Faraday Street. Originally a 1884 grocer, it’s now a deli, restaurant and rooftop bar. Grab a gelato next door at Pidapipo.
Turn left at Elgin Street until you reach the University of Melbourne’s (12) 1853 campus. The underground gothic South Lawn Carpark was a filming location in Mad Max (1979). Nearby, find the four ancient River Red Gums, essential to the Woi Wurrung people for shelter, canoes and tools.
Turn right into Grattan Street for views from the Prince Alfred Hotel’s rooftop bar. Then left onto Bouverie Street and right into Pelham Street to the RMIT Social Innovation Hub (13). A unique model of health, design and education services.
Turn left at Leicester Street for the NGO precinct (14). See the award-winning 60L Green Building, home to green tenants like the Australian Conservation Foundation. Take a tour or visit the Going Solar shop for sustainable tech.
Walk to the end of Leicester Street towards the Queen Victoria Market (15), open since 1878. Up until 1854 however, much of the area was the Old Melbourne Cemetery. Today, shop the sheds for cheese, fresh produce and handmade crafts.
More to Explore
Innovation and new ideas share street blocks with historical sites. Go on a fact-finding tour for bushranger tales, 3D printing hubs and arthouse cinema.★ Old Melbourne Gaol
This group of Romanesque buildings includes the former City Watch House, the Magistrates Court and adjoining Old Melbourne Gaol where bushranger Ned Kelly was convicted and hanged in 1880. Find out more on a spooky ghost tour.
★ RMIT Advanced Manufacturing Precinct
Here at the RMIT Advanced Manufacturing Precinct, researchers and practitioners are designing, engineering and manufacturing 3D printing technology for bio-engineering, aerospace and defence industries.
★ Melbourne Connect
At new innovation precinct Melbourne Connect, industry and University of Melbourne researchers use digital technology to develop socially responsible and sustainable solutions.
★ Lygon Street
Catch an arthouse film at Cinema Nova, and have coffee and cake at Brunetti’s. Spend an afternoon in Readings bookshop before heading to Jimmy Watson’s wine bar or to Heartattack and Vine for cocktails.
