Melbourne Laneways and Arcades

The best of Melbourne is hidden in the details. Explore the city's hive of laneways bustling with activity and creativity, both day and night. Wander down alleys covered in stencil work, lightboxes, graffiti and sculptures to find hidden bars, hole-in-the-wall cafes and boutiques. Visit galleries and specialty stores, and sample tasty delights everywhere from upscale eateries down to a quick-bite lunch bars.

Designer cool and old-world glamour
For a combination of flagship stores, boutiques and quality cafes head to Collins two3four, Australia on Collins, The Walk Arcade and Centrepoint Mall, all within a block of Little Collins Street. Want something entirely Melbourne? Find cutting-edge local designer stores and vintage boutiques along Centre Place, Degraves Street and Flinders Lane. For heritage surrounds, clothing boutiques and specialty stores visit Block and Royal Arcades – built in 1891 and 1869 respectively, and both spectacular examples of Melbourne's glorious architectural past.

Hidden bars
Melbourne's laneway renaissance has seen an explosion of new and exciting bars. Single, unassuming doorways open into sumptuous and spacious interiors. With everything from velvety jazz clubs and flashy wine bars to bare-bone student hangouts and dimly-lit hideaways, you're bound to find that perfect place for a post-shopping drink, dance or cocktail.

Quick bites and Chinatown
Find coffee and cafe fare on Block Place and Degraves Street, head to Centre Place for a snack at a lightening-fast lunch or soup bar, or kick off a night out with dinner down Hardware Lane in Chinatown. Alternatively, The Causeway, just across Little Collins Street, has everything from sushi to a French patisserie.

How to get there
By tram: Any tram along Swanston or Elizabeth streets.

Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle: Hop on and off at any of the 13 stops along the route. The complete trip takes approximately an hour and a half. The bus runs every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily (excluding Christmas Day) and includes an on-board commentary.