Public art, walking tours and art trails
Embarking on one of Melbourne’s arts walks or tours or exploring its laneways is a great way to get to know the city.
Take the 'Art from the City Circle' tram ride, or walk through city streets, laneways, and squares and along the Yarra River to experience the city’s public artworks.
Melbourne is also well-known as a source of inspiration for artists. Follow one of the sign-posted trails to various locations where artists have worked on well-known paintings. Stand on the site where inspiration struck and read accompanying interpretative signs that explain the artists’ work and resulting individual paintings inspired by those locations.
Consider going behind the scenes and joining a guided tour of a local art workshop or city theatre venues.
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Check out lightboxes illuminating works by local and international artists installed along the laneway walls in Hosier Lane and Centre Place.
Centre Place and Hosier Lane, Melbourne
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Take a stroll through the Birrarung Marr precinct along the Yarra River. Some of the features include the Federation Bells and Speaker's Corner.
Birrarung Marr, Batman Avenue, Melbourne
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The Platform Artist Group mounts displays in the exhibition cases that line the Campbell Arcade underneath Flinders Street Station.
Campbell Arcade, Degraves Street, Melbourne
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Proximities is a sound installation of voice recordings of people from the 53 Commonwealth nations represented in Australia and the voices of the area's original custodians, the Wurundjeri people.
William Barak Bridge, Birrarung Marr, Batman Avenue, Melbourne
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From historic rail bridge to eyesore to work of art, Sandridge Bridge home to The Travellers, towering steel sculptures depicting the story of the arrival of migrants to Melbourne.
Sandridge Bridge near Queensbridge Street, Melbourne
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A major collaboration between Indigenous artists, Scar: A Stolen Vision consists of 30 carved and decorated recycled pier posts, evoking ancient shield and canoe making techniques.
Northbank, Yarra River, Flinders Street, Melbourne
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Discover Petrus Spronk's bluestone sculpture Architectural Fragment, on Swanston Street outside the State Library of Victoria.
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne
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Wander along Queen Street and check out the large-scale art billboard outside the Republic Tower and discover art where you'd expect big business.
299 Queen Street, Melbourne
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The City of Melbourne's annual Laneway Commissions see local and international artists use the city's labyrinth of laneways as a temporary canvas for their works.
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Walk to Art takes you to art in the street, art in artist-run spaces and art in galleries. All hidden in Melbourne. Be guided by an expert and talk to the artists.
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Let Hidden Secrets take you on an Art and Design Walk and take in sculpture, stencils, comissioned mural art, project works, architecture, interiors and more.
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Journey into the world of contemporary sculpture with a stroll through an interesting and challenging collection of work by Australia's leading sculptors.
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Walk, bicycle ride or skate along the Coastal Art Trail and see the sites that inspired some of Australia's favourite artists.
Copies of the Bayside Coast Art Trail brochure are available from Bayside City Council on 03 9599 4444
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Trace the footsteps of famous Heidelberg School artists, including Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, Walter Withers and Clara Southern.
Copies of the Heidelberg Artists Trail brochure are available from Parks Victoria on 131 963
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