Melbourne’s rich history stretches back thousands of years, from its Aboriginal heritage to its colonial past and Victorian-era grandeur. The city and its surrounds are dotted with historic landmarks that tell the story of how this thriving metropolis came to be. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or simply curious about Melbourne’s past, these iconic sites offer fascinating glimpses into different eras of the city’s development.
Flinders Street Station
No discussion of Melbourne’s historic landmarks would be complete without mentioning Flinders Street Station. Opened in 1910, this iconic railway station with its distinctive yellow facade and green copper dome has become the most recognisable symbol of Melbourne. The Edwardian architecture features arched windows, a grand entrance, and the famous clocks beneath the main dome where Melburnians have arranged to meet for over a century.
The station was built on the site of Australia’s first railway station and remains the busiest suburban railway station in the Southern Hemisphere. Its restoration in recent years has ensured this architectural gem will continue welcoming commuters and tourists for generations to come.
Royal Exhibition Building
The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens is one of Melbourne’s most significant historic landmarks and the only building in Australia to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status. Completed in 1880 for the Melbourne International Exhibition, this magnificent structure showcases the city’s prosperity during the gold rush era.
The building’s Italian Renaissance and Byzantine architecture features a stunning dome, ornate interiors, and beautiful gardens. It hosted the opening of the first Federal Parliament in 1901, making it the birthplace of Australian democracy. Today, it continues to host exhibitions and events, allowing visitors to step back in time while experiencing its grandeur firsthand.
Old Melbourne Gaol
For a darker chapter of Melbourne’s history, the Old Melbourne Gaol offers a haunting glimpse into 19th-century justice. Operating from 1845 to 1924, this bluestone prison held some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including bushranger Ned Kelly, who was hanged here in 1880.
The gaol’s imposing stone walls and cell blocks remain remarkably preserved, allowing visitors to explore the harsh conditions prisoners endured. Night tours add an eerie atmosphere to this already chilling landmark, making it one of Melbourne’s most popular historical attractions. The site now operates as a museum, displaying hangman’s scaffolds, death masks, and artefacts from its operating years.
Parliament House
Sitting atop Bourke Street, Parliament House Victoria represents one of the finest examples of 19th-century architecture in Australia. Construction began in 1856, and while the original grand design was never fully completed, the building remains an impressive demonstration of colonial ambition and wealth.
The chambers, with their elaborate gilded ceilings, rich timbers, and ornate detailing, reflect the confidence of Victoria during the gold rush. Free guided tours allow visitors to explore the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council chambers, learning about Victoria’s parliamentary history and the building’s role in Australian democracy.
Shrine of Remembrance
The Shrine of Remembrance stands as Melbourne’s most important war memorial, honouring Victorians who served in conflicts from World War I onwards. Completed in 1934, the classical design draws inspiration from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The shrine’s most moving feature occurs at 11am on Remembrance Day each year, when a ray of sunlight shines through an opening in the roof to illuminate the Stone of Remembrance and its inscription: “Greater love hath no man.” The surrounding gardens and forecourt provide a peaceful space for reflection, while the visitor centre underneath tells the stories of those who served.
St Paul’s Cathedral
St Paul’s Cathedral has dominated the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets since its completion in 1891. This Anglican cathedral, built in the Gothic Revival style, features three soaring spires and stunning stained-glass windows that bathe the interior in coloured light.
The cathedral’s bells are among the largest in the world, and its organ is renowned for its rich sound. Free to enter, St Paul’s offers a quiet sanctuary in the heart of Melbourne’s busiest intersection, where visitors can admire the craftsmanship of Victorian-era stonemasons and appreciate the building’s spiritual significance to Melbourne’s community.
Como House and Garden
Como House in South Yarra provides insight into how Melbourne’s wealthy families lived during the gold rush. Built in 1847 and significantly expanded in the 1850s, this colonial mansion and its five acres of landscaped gardens have been preserved as they were during the Victorian era.
The National Trust-managed property showcases the Armytage family’s lifestyle over 95 years of continuous residence. Original furniture, paintings, and household items remain in situ, offering an authentic glimpse into 19th-century domestic life. The garden features ancient trees, croquet lawns, and formal landscaping that transport visitors to a more gracious era.
Melbourne Town Hall
Melbourne Town Hall has been the civic heart of the city since 1870. The Second Empire architectural style, with its mansard tower and grand portico, made a bold statement about Melbourne’s prosperity and importance during the gold rush period.
The building has hosted countless significant events, from royal visits to political rallies and concerts. The main hall, with its magnificent organ and acoustic excellence, remains a premier concert venue. Free tours allow visitors to explore the building’s ornate interiors, learning about the personalities and events that shaped Melbourne’s civic life.
Princess Theatre
The Princess Theatre on Spring Street has been entertaining Melburnians since 1886. This Second Empire-style theatre, with its distinctive mansard tower, represents Melbourne’s golden age of theatrical entertainment.
The theatre is reportedly haunted by the ghost of Frederick Federici, a performer who died on stage during a production of Faust in 1888. Beyond the supernatural stories, the theatre’s sumptuous interiors, with their gilded plasterwork and red velvet seating, evoke the glamour of Victorian-era entertainment. The Princess continues to host major theatrical productions, maintaining its role as one of Melbourne’s premier performance venues.
Block Arcade
For a taste of 19th-century shopping elegance, Block Arcade connects Collins Street to Little Collins Street through a stunning mosaic-floored passage. Opened in 1893, the arcade’s three-storey design features ornate wrought iron, decorative tiles, and a glass roof that floods the space with natural light.
The arcade takes its name from “doing the block,” a popular pastime where fashionable Melburnians would promenade along Collins Street. Today, it houses the famous Hopetoun Tea Rooms, established in 1892, where visitors can enjoy afternoon tea in surroundings that have barely changed in over 130 years.
Rippon Lea Estate
Rippon Lea in Elsternwick offers one of Melbourne’s finest examples of a Victorian-era suburban estate. Built in 1868 by Sir Frederick Sargood, the 33-room mansion sits within 14 acres of original gardens featuring a lake, fernery, and heritage plant collections.
The Romanesque-style mansion showcases how wealthy industrialists lived during Melbourne’s boom years. The National Trust property includes original furnishings, a ballroom, conservatory, and servants’ quarters. The gardens, designed in the Gardenesque style popular in the 1860s, demonstrate the Victorian passion for exotic plantings and elaborate landscaping.
Scots’ Church
Scots’ Church on Collins Street has been a spiritual home for Melbourne’s Presbyterian community since 1874. The building’s Gothic Revival architecture, designed by Joseph Reed, features intricate stonework, pointed arches, and a soaring spire that punctuates Melbourne’s skyline.
The church’s interior showcases beautiful stained-glass windows and carved timber, creating a contemplative atmosphere in the heart of the business district. Free lunchtime concerts make use of the church’s excellent acoustics, continuing a tradition of cultural contribution that stretches back to the church’s earliest days.
Werribee Mansion
While technically outside Melbourne’s immediate boundaries, Werribee Mansion deserves mention as one of Victoria’s grandest historic estates. Built between 1874 and 1877 for pastoralist brothers Thomas and Andrew Chirnside, this 60-room Italianate mansion demonstrates the vast wealth generated by the wool industry.
The mansion sits within Werribee Park, featuring formal gardens, a grotto, and walking trails. Guided tours reveal the opulent lifestyle of one of Victoria’s wealthiest families, with rooms full of period furniture and decorative arts. The property also includes a sculpture park and the Victoria State Rose Garden, making it a full day’s historical and horticultural experience.
Conclusion
Melbourne’s historic landmarks tell the story of a city that transformed from a small settlement beside the Yarra River into one of the world’s most liveable cities. From grand public buildings to intimate domestic spaces, these sites preserve different chapters of Melbourne’s past while remaining relevant to contemporary life.
Visiting these landmarks offers more than just architectural appreciation. Each site connects us to the people who built Melbourne, from convicts and gold seekers to architects and entrepreneurs. Their stories, preserved in bluestone and brick, remind us that history isn’t just about dates and events but about the human experience of building a new society in a distant land.
Whether you’re a Melbourne local looking to deepen your connection to the city or a visitor wanting to understand what makes Melbourne unique, these historic landmarks provide the perfect starting point. Many offer free entry or affordable tours, making Melbourne’s rich history accessible to everyone interested in exploring the heritage that shaped this remarkable city.
