Melbourne Central Business District Self Guided Walk

Begin the self guided walk beneath the famous clocks at Flinders Street Station. Take in one of Melbourne’s best known landmarks before opening the mapped route on your smartphone and starting the walk.

Walk through one of Melbourne’s best known laneways, lined with cafés, heritage buildings and the lively atmosphere the city is famous for. Grab a takeaway coffee if you like, then use the stop notes to notice details that are easy to miss as you explore.

Go underground through Campbell Arcade, entering from Degraves Street and emerging onto Flinders Street. Step into a pink tiled 1950s time capsule, recently reopened after the Metro Tunnel works and still evolving as the arcade is brought back to life.

Step inside Young & Jackson to see Chloé, the famous 19th century nude painting that has become one of Melbourne’s most unusual cultural icons. Take a moment to view the artwork and learn why it has been part of the city’s story for generations.

Walk through Federation Square and take in its distinctive architecture and central city atmosphere. You can continue the mapped walk in around 5 minutes, or pause longer to visit ACMI or NGV Australia if you choose.

Explore AC/DC Lane, known for its rock music heritage, murals and street art. Take time to look around, then continue through the optional Duckboard Place loop for more laneway art and hidden details before rejoining the main route.

Explore Hosier Lane, one of Melbourne’s best known street art laneways. Take time to look closely at the ever changing murals and details, with the option to wander into nearby Rutledge Lane before continuing the walk.

Walk down atmospheric Chapter House Lane beside St Paul’s Cathedral. Continue along the mapped route, or take a short optional detour inside the cathedral to admire the interior before rejoining the walk.

Walk through Centre Place, one of Melbourne’s most recognisable laneways, packed with cafés, street art and narrow shopfronts. Take in the atmosphere and the small details that make this laneway feel distinctly Melbourne.

Explore the elegant Block Arcade, one of Melbourne’s best known heritage shopping arcades. Take time to admire the mosaic floors, glass canopy and ornate architecture, and browse the historic shopfronts as you follow the route through.

Walk through the historic Royal Arcade and take in its elegant architecture, shopfronts and famous Gog and Magog figures above Gaunt’s Clock. Allow time to look around and notice the details before continuing the route.

Walk through Bourke Street Mall and take in the heart of Melbourne’s retail precinct. From here, you can follow an optional loop past the historic GPO and Postal Lane before returning to the main route.

Continue through Tattersalls Lane on the main route, with the option to extend your walk through Melbourne’s Chinatown. Explore more of the precinct and follow the optional loop to Croft Alley before rejoining the main route.

Explore Drewery Lane and discover some of the small artworks, mosaics and hidden details tucked into this quieter Melbourne laneway. Take your time to look closely before continuing along the route.

Finish the walk at the State Library of Victoria. Take in the grand Swanston Street façade and forecourt, and step inside if you wish to explore one of Melbourne’s landmark public buildings before ending your walk.