10 Most Instagrammable Places in Melbourne
Where to Take Stunning Photos of Melbourne to Impress Your Friends?
Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city with some of the most Instagrammable places and backgrounds in Australia thanks to its eclectic mix of architecture, street art, and cultural attractions. From historic arcades and cobblestone laneways to iconic landmarks and attractions, Melbourne offers a wealth of photogenic opportunities to make any post likeable.
Melbourne is also a top destination for Instagrammers thanks to its thriving street art scene. The city is home to some of the world’s most talented street artists, who have transformed once-derelict buildings and laneways into vibrant canvases of color and creativity. Follow this guide to the most Instagrammable places in Melbourne.
1. Hosier Lane
Street art snaps
Good for: Photo, Budget, Couples
Hosier Lane on the southern edge of Melbourne’s central business district (CBD) between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane is one of the city’s most iconic street art destinations. Head to this cobble street laneway for funky shots with a vibrant background of street art.
This narrow laneway can get quite busy, so if you want to capture that iconic long shot of an empty alley, make sure to get up early. The laneway’s murals and stencil art are constantly evolving, providing an ever-changing visual feast for photographers, likes guaranteed.
Hosier Lane
2. Flinders Street Station
Crossing the tracks for great snaps
Good for: Photo, Budget, History
Flinders Street Station is a historic building dating back to 1905, in the heart of Melbourne’s central business district. A must-visit for Instagrammers, the station’s golden yellow brick façade and grand clock tower make for excellent photo opportunities. Head inside to explore more great shots, with the station’s intricate tiled flooring, arched ceilings, and old-fashioned signage.
Try shooting from a low angle to capture the grandeur of the building, or from above to showcase the bustling crowds below. Search out architecture-related hashtags to garner the most likes on this iconic structure.
Location: Flinders St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Phone: +61 (0)3 9610 3711
Flinders Street Station
3. Centre Place
Cobble-street cool
Good for: Photo, Budget, Food
Centre Place, appropriately situated in the heart of the city’s CBD, is one of Melbourne’s most famous bluestone cobble laneways. A bustling hub of cafes, stencil art, and graffiti, this narrow lane is best known for its quirky shops, historic architecture, and delicious food.
Visit during the quieter hours when the laneway is less crowded, so you can experiment with different angles and perspectives. Look for the narrow staircase above Hell’s Kitchen and head up to score the best shots of the bustling laneway below.
Centre Place
4. The National Gallery of Victoria
Exploring Indigenous art
Good for: Photo, Budget
The National Gallery of Victoria on the Southbank is one of the most significant public art institutions in Australia and offers a wealth of stunning selfie backgrounds and like-worthy shots. The gallery itself is packed with photogenic features, from the water-wall entrance to the stained-glass ceiling, but the art’s the star here.
Look for the Indigenous collections of Aboriginal art, including intricate shields and dot paintings, as well as European and American big names including Hockney, Picasso, and Warhol, to frame your Insta posts.
Location: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3006, Australia
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +61 (0)3 8620 2222
The National Gallery of Victoria
5. St Kilda Foreshore
Shooting the golden hour glow
Good for: Photo, Budget
St Kilda Foreshore is a popular beach, sprigged with palm trees, just a short distance from Melbourne’s city center. Line up your phone to snap Insta-worthy shots of the beach, historic St Kilda pier, and the skyline twinkling in the distance.
Sunsets are stunning but can be crowded, so plan to head out early to capture the peach-pink glow of the “golden hour” in the morning. The soft light at this time provides the perfect conditions for capturing the best shots of the sandy beach and waves gently lapping at the shore.
St Kilda Foreshore
6. Royal Exhibition Building
Beauty by day and night
Good for: Photo, Budget, History
The Royal Exhibition Building, ringed by the Carlton Gardens, is a rich feast for the ‘gram, offering up a grand hall, stunning gardens, and rich history to capture. Tag historic architecture hashtags to get the most likes for this impressive example of 19th-century architecture and design.
On a sunny day, the grand hall with its intricate detailing and colorful stained-glass windows provides a stunning backdrop for photos. By night, try a slow shutter speed to capture the beauty of the illuminated fountains.
Location: 9 Nicholson St, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia
Phone: +61 (0)13 1102
Royal Exhibition Building
7. Brighton Bathing Boxes
A beach day photo shoot
Good for: Photo, Budget, Food
The Brighton Bathing Boxes on Dendy Street Beach at Port Phillip Bay are one of Melbourne’s most iconic images. Built in the 1920s, the 82 restored bathing boxes are now painted in a variety of eye-catching colors and designs. Surrounded by a stunning natural landscape of white sand and clear blue waters, it’s hard to take a bad shot here.
Visit at “magic hour” just before sunset or after sunrise to get glowing colors and soft light. Or, make a day of it and shoot at different times of the day to capture the varying effects of light and shadow. With plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, you can easily take breaks while waiting for the perfect shot.
Location: Esplanade, Brighton, VIC 3186, Australia
Brighton Bathing Boxes
8. State Library of Victoria
Hashtag iconic
Good for: Photo, Budget, History
The State Library of Victoria, located in the heart of the city, is one of Australia’s oldest cultural institutions, making it perfect for history and architecture enthusiasts. Head to the upper levels for the best photographs, capturing the stunning sunray pattern of the reading room desks below.
Inside the library, you’ll find a treasure trove of rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts. Don’t forget to explore the lush green gardens and grounds dotted with statues and sculptures to fully capture this historic spot.
Location: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Open: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm
Phone: +61 (0)3 8664 7000
State Library of Victoria
9. Princes Pier
A sunset shoot
Good for: Photo, Budget, Nightlife
Princes Pier in Port Melbourne, at the end of the historic Bay Trail, is a fantastic spot for Instagrammers to capture skyline views, the restored pier, and wooden pilings. Make it your final stop after a scenic walk or bike ride.
Day or night, the pier offers gorgeous views over the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel and the towering skyscrapers of the CBD. The must-get shot, however, is the sunset over the wooden pilings and water; it’s stunning and done right will be one of your most-liked posts.
Location: Pier St, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
Princes Pier
10. Great Ocean Road
Witnessing the majestic Twelve Apostles
Good for: Photo, Budget
The Great Ocean Road stretches for over 290 km along the rugged coastline of Victoria, creating a picturesque road trip from Melbourne. This scenic route offers unspoiled views of the Southern Ocean, towering cliffs, and beautiful orange-sand beaches.
Along the Great Ocean Road, you’ll find some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, including the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, and the London Arch. Visit early to capture the breathtaking sight of the remaining Apostles battling natural erosion as the sun rises.
Great Ocean Road
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