1  Birrarung Marr

Birrarung Marr, next to Federation Square opened in 2002. Its name comes from the language of the Wurundjeri people who originally inhabited this area, 'Birrarung' means 'river of mists' while ‘Marr’ refers to the side of the river. Birrarung Marr has several notable pieces of public art:

1a Birrarung Wilam by Vicki Couzens, Lee Darroch and Treahna Hamm.

The Birrarung Wilam (meaning 'River Camp') installation celebrates the diversity of Victoria’s indigenous culture by interpreting stories from local communities through public artworks. The central component of the work is the mound campsite, or puulwuurn, supported by an eel pathway, two message sticks, five shields, a group of ancestor stones, interpretative panels, water vessels and an audio installation. On the southern side of the ArtPlay building, etched-metal panels, resembling possumskin cloaks, interpret each element of Birrarung Wilam and feature audio recordings of indigenous people telling their personal stories. More...

1b Angel sculpture by Deborah Halpern.

Since Angel, one of Melbourne’s most loved pieces of public art moved from the southern moat of the National Gallery of Victoria, viewers have been able to see if from all sides. Angel resembles a three-legged llama and consists of more than 4,000 individually cut and hand painted tiles fixed to a concrete and steel base. More...

1c Speakers Corner by Evangelos Sakaris.

An interpretive sculpture by Evangelos Sakaris was installed Birrarung Marr in 2000, comprising four low-lying, stepped pink-granite outcrops. Inscribed with quotations, these outcrops are spread across the site of Speakers Corner, which was previously called Yarra Bank and known as a site for political, religious and ideological debate. Significantly remodelled in the late 1990s with the extension to Batman Avenue, Speakers Corner was most attended during periods of upheaval such as World War I. More...

1d Federation Bells by Neil McLachlan and Anton Hasell in collaboration with Swaney Draper Architects.

Federation Bells was commissioned by the Victorian government in 1998 as part of the commemoration of Australian federation. It consists of 39 upturned bells of different sizes mounted on poles of varying heights.

Seven Australian composers were commissioned to create pieces of four to five minutes for the launch of the bells. Computer-controlled hammers strike the bells to the tune of the programmed compositions. In 2008, the City of Melbourne launched a website (www.federationbells.com.au) to allow members of the public to compose their own pieces for the bells.

Federation Bells ring three times each day with different compositions. More...

1e Eel Trap by Fiona Clarke and Ken McKean.

Fiona Clarke and Ken McKean’s Eel Trap is based on the design of a traditional Indigenous eel trap. The plate-steel sculpture is painted red and engraved with Indigenous designs. A local food source, eels were once trapped close to this site, near the shallow waterfalls that used to exist downstream, separating the freshwater of the river from the salty water of the bay. More...

2  ArtPlay

At ArtPlay, children up to the age of 13 and their families are encouraged to learn the language of art together. Through workshops with professional artists, ArtPlay aims to improve educational and arts opportunities for children. From here, they can move on to galleries, performances and Melbourne’s other art offerings with confidence and curiosity. More...

3  Princes Bridge

On 22 April 1840 a company was formed to build a bridge across the Yarra River. Despite bitter arguments about the location of the bridge, on 9 June 1845 a contract for the bridge and the approaches was let. The bridge was just above the present Princes Bridge. It remained a toll bridge until it was superseded by a free government bridge, the Princes Bridge, which was officially opened on 15 November 1850 after many delays.

A new Prince’s Bridge was built and officially opened on 4 October, 1888. More...

4  Federation Square

Scratch the surface at Federation Square and you might be surprised at what you find. It’s a world class cultural and entertainment destination which includes the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Ian Potter Centre NGV Australia. Federation Square hosts a constantly changing calendar of events and is an intriguing source of information and education. Located in the heart of Melbourne, it’s the perfect spot to meet up with friends and grab a bite to eat at some of Melbourne’s best eateries. Federation Square is also Melbourne’s biggest free outdoor Wi-Fi hotspot. More...

5  Southbank Cultural Precinct redevelopment

The Southbank Cultural Precinct redevelopment masterplan outlines a vision for the modernisation of the Arts Centre, a proposed new pedestrian promenade over Sturt Street, a major new plaza and other new and revitalised public spaces. The project aims to secure Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s cultural capital and open up the St Kilda Road arts precinct.

The Southbank Cultural Precinct redevelopment will rejuvenate and reconnect the cultural precinct and individual venues to each other and to the wider city precincts. It will also deliver a modernised Arts Centre and infrastructure that will create a destination connecting people to the arts and the arts to people. The first step is the overhaul of the Arts Centre’s Hamer Hall. More...

5  Hammer Hall

The Arts Centre’s Hamer Hall has hosted such varied performances as those of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Norah Jones, comedy and gala film events. Currently under redevelopment to make the facility more accessible it will provide an even better experience for audiences and ensure that it can continue to attract and present a wide range of top international and local performers. More...

6 The Arts Centre

The Arts Centre is the flagship of the performing arts in Victoria, and the focal point of Melbourne's cultural precinct. It is owned by the people of Victoria, and welcomes everyone to experience all that it has to offer.

In association with some of Australia's top performing arts companies, and an array of national and international companies, the Arts Centre presents a unique diversity of arts and entertainment choices all year round. More...

7 Southgate

Southgate is a unique leisure destination, offering unparalleled views of the Yarra River and an eclectic mix of dining and shopping.

Southgate includes light eating in the Riverside Food Court, sumptuous dining in restaurants and unique shopping in the centre’s select stores.

Southgate was one of the first developments to realise the potential of the riverside location. Its development was revolutionary for Melbourne in the 1990s.

“People don’t appreciate how difficult it was to make a change and how, people at the time didn’t see the obvious. It is obvious, that something like this, should be done along the river but that’s not the way it was seen at the time.” Professor David Yencken, AO, Former Minister for Planning and the Environment. More...

7a Dervish by Clement Meadmore.

This massive steel sculpture was created in 1981.

7b Ophelia by Deborah Halpern.

Deborah Halpern is a well-respected ceramic and mosaic artist who is inspired by the free spirit of Pablo Picasso. She has been passionate about her form of art for the past 20 years and has pieces on display throughout the country.

Deborah Halpern’s Ophelia is situated near the main entrance to Southgate.

Deborah believes her work is a joyful expression of her life. Like Angel in Birrarung Marr, Ophelia is decorated with a “big face”, giving the artwork life and emotion. More...