Melbourne Central Business District Travel Guide

Melbourne

Melbourne CBD showing outdoor eating
Federation Square showing modern architecture, street scenes 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


Top hotels in Melbourne Central Business District

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 ₹9,380 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
₹9,380
₹10,318 total
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free breakfast, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,532 reviews)
"Clean, easy access, great staff and good space for dining."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Little Collins by IHG
Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne

4 out of 5
300 Spencer Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ₹7,860 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
₹7,860
₹8,743 total
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly motel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,012 reviews)
"Good clean comfortable rooms and great helpful staff"

Reviewed on 17 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 ₹4,575 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹4,575
₹5,033 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,167 reviews)
"It was good experience. Just some points about food warming, customer has asked to come to reception for microwave. It should be provided by staff."

Reviewed on 18 Jul 2025

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne
Dorsett Melbourne

Dorsett Melbourne

4 out of 5
615 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ₹9,112 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹9,112
₹10,024 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,377 reviews)
"The hotel is lovely and modern. And the location is excellent. It's so close to everything. Stayed for three nights and will definitely go back"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Dorsett Melbourne
Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne

4 out of 5
380 William Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ₹8,032 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹8,032
₹8,835 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy a rooftop terrace, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,209 reviews)
"Perfect hotel for me . The location"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne
Stamford Plaza Melbourne

Stamford Plaza Melbourne

5 out of 5
111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
The price is ₹10,020 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹10,020
₹11,022 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Melbourne. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,695 reviews)
"Nice to come back to after walking, shopping and visiting areas. Great lifts!"

Reviewed on 15 Jul 2025

Stamford Plaza 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 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
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 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