What Are Things To Do In Melbourne Street Art?

The street art in Melbourne is world-famous. The walls of several of our downtown streets and alleys are covered with murals, and some of these areas (looking at your Hosier Lane) has even become tourist attractions due to their abundance of street art.

The finest places to see Melbourne's street art are hidden in plain sight but finding them might be challenging if you're not a local. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best sites where any self-respecting Instagrammer should be snapping; we have also included the specific location of the artworks to make it simpler to find them. If you want to see the best street art in Melbourne, then put on your most comfortable shoes and start walking.

Melbourne's street painters like Adnate draw on Australia's aboriginal culture to create striking works. Beyond that, however, each street depicts a different narrative, whether it is a military tale, an environmental tale, or a story from the artist's own life. As a result, there is constantly new information to gather, analyse, and interpret.

Take a stroll through the Central Business District, Fitzroy, Richmond, Collingwood, and Cremorne to view some of the finest artworks in all of Melbourne. The portraits in one room are set off by the ceramic installations in the other.

This path may be walked in under three hours, but taking your time to stop at Refuel Points and explore will only enhance the experience.

Things To Do In Melbourne Street Art

You can find a constantly evolving outdoor gallery of urban art if you take a stroll around the city's alleys. Learn more about the street art (murals, stencils, paste-ups, and installations) that can be seen in the laneways off Flinders Lane between Swanston Street and Russell Street by signing up for a tour of Hosier Lane.

Union Lane, located off the Bourke Street Mall, and Blender Lane, located off Franklin Street, are frequently painted.

You can find interesting wall paintings in Fitzroy and Collingwood, so don't limit yourself to the Central Business District. Every year, people look forwards to the Gertrude Street Projection Festival.

AC/DC Lane

The City Council of Melbourne unanimously approved renaming Corporation Lane to AC/DC Lane in 2004. Cherry Bar, which now resides at 68 Little Collins St but was formerly located on this street, boasts that it is "pretty much the best rock n' roll bar in the world." It's hardly surprising, then, to find posters advertising concerts lining this street covered in pictures of well-known musicians.

When Guns N' Roses first came to town a few years back, the alley was lined with posters welcoming them to town. There are now a wide range of murals and paintings to be found on AC/DC Lane, with references to bands like AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles being commonplace. Among these artworks is a signature by Banksy, the most well-known street artist in the world. But alas, his paintings were wiped out in the last round of building.

This street, which bears the name of an iconic Australian rock group, is a veritable museum of rock and roll memorabilia.

Be sure to check out the three-dimensional sculpture of Bon Scott smashing through the wall and the massive portrait of AC/Malcolm DC's Young.

To see the location where the band recorded the music video for "It's a Long Way to the Top" in 1976, diehard fans should visit Swanston Street.

AC/Flinders DC's Lane headquarters Lane was named after the Australian rock band in 2004. It's not surprising to find depictions of both real and fictional musicians in street art. The road is now the location of Peruvian restaurant Pastuso, however it was originally home to the legendary live music venue Cherry Bar, which has since relocated.

Blender Lane

The Blender Studios is regarded as a major centre for street art. As such, it should come as no surprise that the little laneway sharing its name near Queen Vic Market is home to some of the most spectacular and cutting-edge artwork in the city, including examples of aerosol, stencil, paste-up, and multimedia. An analogy between fine chocolate and high-calibre street art is made in one of the works.

Blender Lane is where it all started for Melbourne's street artists, so hop in your car and pay a visit. Experience a riot of colour in this narrow alleyway covered in stencils, paintings, tags, and paste-ups. Blender Studios hosts classes and street art excursions, and their experimental gallery Dark Horse Experiment hosts exhibitions where you may pick up jewellery, crafts, and artworks over the summer.

Drewery Lane

If you're familiar with Melbourne, you know that Drewery Lane is unlike any other laneway in the city. Legacy House is located there, and its mission is to provide support to the families of those who have sacrificed their lives or health in defence of our country. Sankar Nadelson, or "The Mosaic Man," has been instructing members of the Legacy family in the art of mosaic tile making, with the tiles being displayed in a gallery on Drewery Lane.

Over a thousand tiles will be on view by the year 2018. The longtime inhabitant of the alley, Legacy House, is commemorated with a mosaic of hand-made tiles. This ever-evolving artwork, created by the loved ones of service members, is sure to bring a tear to your eye.

Take a look up to observe a sculpture of the Greek mythological characters Baucis and Philemon, who are depicted here as their bodies are intertwined.

Cremorne And Richmond

To get to Richmond, keep strolling south. We recommend making haste to the Lou Reed memorial on Botherambo Street. Then, head to Richmond Station, where you may see an incredible painting of a whale by Mike Makatron.

On your way to the Burnley Tunnel and the Precinct Hotel, don't miss the divisive racehorse mural on the wall. When you visit the Hotel, keep an eye out for Date's green wall painting with a portrait of his father in its centre. Stop by Balmain Street for the morning's last hours. In this piece, Adnate continues his series of paintings of indigenous boys.

Duckboard Place

See a variety of colourful murals, concert posters, and excellent dining establishments.

Two massive pieces of street art by Fintan Magee (a portrait of a man carrying a tree) and Steen Jones (a tattoo-style dedication to Melbourne) can be found in Duckboard Place.

Two Banksy rats may be seen on the left side of the street, so be wary as you round the bend.

This street is also home to some of the best restaurants in the world, such as Pastuso, Tonka, and Lee Ho Fook. Duckboard Place is killing it in terms of downtown cool, downtown grime, and street cool. When World War II soldiers needed a place to relax and have fun, they came to the lane, but now the punter that frequents the site is pickier.

The road, which is plastered with concert posters and graffiti, is home to the likes of the experimental Chinese restaurant.  Tonk's Indian-inspired seasonings, a Hereford Beefstouwa, and the wine bar Mary Fortune. If that doesn't get you fueled up and ready to rock, head out the back entrance to the confusing Garden State Hotel or keep on connecting with ACDC Lane.

Hosier Lane

Hosier Lane, a cobbled alley that connects Flinders Lane and Flinders Street, can be found just across from Federation Square and is widely considered to be the epicentre of Melbourne's street art culture. Take your time exploring this crowded art space; original designs may be found on virtually any flat surface, and the most impressive works are often the tiny ones that go unnoticed.

Hosier Lane has the highest concentration of vibrant colours per square centimetre. This graffiti-filled street is usually bustling with activity, and for good reason: everything from the walls to the trash cans to the windows is covered in graffiti or other forms of street art. So if you want to witness someone leaving their stamp in Melbourne, Hosier Lane is the place to go.

Spray painting without permission is against the law, but you'll see plenty of it here. The walls of this well-travelled alleyway are frequently updated with new paste-ups, paintings, and concealed sculptures. You should sit down at MoVida or Tres a Cinco to take in the atmosphere, and while you're there, keep your eyes out for Adnate's image of an Indigenous youngster looking out over the river.

Richmond, Prahran To St Kilda

Hooke argues that the East and Southside have always had a decent amount and mix of business from small hidden passageways. He says to not expect to see any particular artists' work here because people paint everywhere, but you might run into the likes of Heesco,  Stabs, Psalm, Bailer, Vexta, or Aeon.

Caledonian Lane

We had to double-check our directions when we unexpectedly arrived at Caledonian Lane. We weren't expecting much from this alleyway, so we were pleasantly surprised to see this gem.

Fearfully, we must have been the types to ignore such splendour. You'd do well to include this one and witness its splendour for yourself. This is a well-loved example of Melbourne's vibrant street art scene. They seem really pleased by the order and vivid colours.

Despite being one of Melbourne's tiniest lanes, Caledonian Lane holds a significant role in the city's history as the original site of the now-global St. Jerome's Laneway Festival. Although much has changed in the laneway off Lonsdale Street and tucked away behind Swanston, there is still enough art to enjoy.

Brunswick areas

Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne located just 6 kilometres north of the CBD, has gained a reputation as something of a hipster hotspot due to its cosmopolitan atmosphere, independent stores, and chic cafés and eateries. Street art is also present, as would be expected.

Public art, especially graffiti and murals, has been making its way north from Brunswick and into neighbouring communities like Coburg, Preston, and Northcote.

The Laneways

Melbourne's Central Business District is home to 260 laneways and alleys and is a refuge for street art, despite not being on Hooke's list. One of the most famous examples of street art in the city may be found on Hosier Lane. The laneways are now a sort of urban, open-air art gallery with constantly rotating exhibits.

It's a city that takes street art seriously; the owner of a Melbourne gallery that specialises in urban and fine art and offers tours of the city's laneways painted with murals describes street art and Melbourne Street art as "the largest art movement in Australian history." Blender provides street art tours around the Central Business District and Fitzroy. For the painters, it's a chance to make a living and help support the studio, and for tourists, it's a way to get a feel for the city through its iconic murals.

Union Lane

Union Lane is a popular passageway between Bourke Street Mall to Little Collins Street and offers a respite from the mall's frantic pace. Enjoy the imaginative characters, bright shapes, and elaborate text as you make your way down the small bitumen walkway between the high buildings on either side. Explore the thriving Melbourne Street art community and admire the more than 550 square metres of artwork created by local artists.

This little street is never without a splash of colour. It's conveniently located just off Bourke Street, making it easy to enjoy the best buskers in town while taking in some vibrant street art. Look around, since you never know what you might find on Union Lane—looking for other fun things to do in Melbourne?

Keith Haring Mural

This mural, which was painted in 1984 by the late, great New York artist Keith Haring, is beloved by Melburnians and visitors alike. The building underwent extensive repair in 2013 and now stands in its former glory on Johnston Street in Collingwood.

Centre Place

Spend the afternoon dozing on the bluestone cobbles of Centre Place, just out of a postcard, and you'll feel like you've arrived in Melbourne. Centre Place still manages to surprise and thrill, despite being instantly recognisable from cliches of the city's iconic laneways.

Feeling overwhelmed by the ever-evolving stencil art and graffiti? Pitch yourself into Jungle Juice for some foreign coffee. The soups, crepes, and dumplings of ShanDong MaMa Mini are irresistible.

Spend some time perusing the wares of the legendary Melbourne boutique Kinki Gerlinki before making your way up the steep, narrow staircase to Hell's Kitchen for an afternoon beer and a view of the action below. After you've had your fill of arty underground vibes at Campbell Arcade, head across Flinders Lane to Degraves Street for even more coffee, food, and treats.

Sniders Lane

Kim Kardashian, how are you doing? Kim Kardashian and Em Ratajkowski's topless selfie was uploadedLushsux, an Australian street artist, has a following on Instagram and enlarged it to a 30-foot painting in Sniders Lane. If there is someone in the lane when you get there, there's a good chance they're posing for a Liberated selfie.

Presgrave Place

Home to some of the most original framed mixed media works and small-scale street art pieces in all of Melbourne.

Photographs, posters, stickers, and works created from repurposed materials make up the majority of Presgrave Place's enchanting, framed art collection. Relax at a 30ml Cafe or have a drink at Bar Americano. It's one of the tiniest bars in Melbourne, with only enough seating for 10.

Tattersalls Lane

Where you'll find some of Melbourne's best bars, as well as some great street food at reasonable prices and some beautiful murals on the walls of neighbouring buildings.

Take a stroll along laneway pubs Section 8 and Ferdydurke, both of which are located close to Asian-themed eateries.

There is a colourful abstract artwork by Chilean artist Nelson Cekis next to Section 8, and a portrait of a woman with feathers by Adnate and Shida from 2012 that towers over the alleyway.

The people on Tattersalls Lane take pride in the fact that the street displays its history for all to see. This popular alleyway connects Chinatown and Lonsdale Street, and it is one of the oldest in the city. It is home to a variety of historic eateries, ever-evolving street art, and seedy dive bars. After discussing the status of the world over some dumplings and a Tsingtao at Shanghai Dumpling House, you can head up the road to Section 8 or Ferdydurke for some more lively conversation.

Guildford Lane

This once-industrial alley is now a green haven dotted with cosy cafes and flowerpots. Keep your eyes peeled for the mural by Melbourne artist Mike Makatron on the door of a disused electrical substation as you pass along. Then, drop into Krimper or Brick Lane for some food, or schedule some time at the Cat Cafe for a cup of joe and a pet kitty.

Croft Alley

You may enjoy the vibrant murals and tags without much distraction during the day in this popular street art destination, since only the occasional hospitality worker will be putting out the trash cans.

At daytime, the alley may look deserted and unsafe, but when night falls, it becomes the centre of activity. Croft Alley branches off of Little Bourke Street right in the heart of Chinatown. You'll discover Croft Institute, a popular alleyway pub in Melbourne, at the end of the alley.

Travelling to the Croft Institute itself is an exciting experience. One of Melbourne's finest galleries of "uncommissioned art" can be found at the end of Croft Alley, off a laneway in the middle of Chinatown. Visit some murals along the way if you don't mind the odour of urine and decaying cabbage.

There are three levels to explore at The Croft, all of which are darkly lit and share the same chilly, slightly eerie vibe. The first floor is decked out like a medical school lecture hall, complete with glass display cabinets of laboratory gear, shiny flooring, and tiny gas taps for connecting Bunsen burners.

If you go upstairs, you'll find a waiting area with a flickering television hung on the wall, and then the Departments of Male and Female Hygiene, also known as the restrooms. These rooms seem eerily like hospital exam rooms, which is a bit frightening. On the second floor, accessible only after 10 p.m., you'll find bleachers for seats and real grass growing on the bar, evoking the atmosphere of a retro high school gymnasium.

Given the ingenuity with which the rest of the venue was designed, the fact that the music tends towards the phat Beatz end of the spectrum is a bit of a letdown. But after a few of these powerful cocktails, you'll probably forget what you were listening to anyhow.

Conclusion

Melbourne has street art everywhere. Tourists love these areas because of their murals. See the city's best art in the CBD, Fitzroy, Richmond, Collingwood, and Cremorne. AC/DC Lane is a rock history museum. Guns N' Roses posters dotted the alley.

Swanston Street hosted AC/Malcolm DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top" video. A hand-made tile mosaic honours Legacy House. Duckboard Place's world-class restaurants include Pastuso, Lee Ho Fook, and Tonka. Hosier Lane is Melbourne's street art hub. The lane between Flinders Lane and Flinders Street features paste-ups, paintings, and concealed sculptures.

With 260 laneways and lanes, Melbourne's CBD is a street art paradise. Melbourne's outstanding street artists created nearly 550 square metres of street art. The laneways are now urban art galleries with changing exhibits. Presgrave Place has Melbourne's most creative framed mixed media art. Hell's Kitchen is one of Melbourne's smallest bars, with ten barstools.

Croft Institute Tavern is at the end of the lane. The alleyway also has Melbourne's best "uncommissioned art" gallery. Upstairs is a pub with bleachers and a lawn, while downstairs is a hospital classroom. The third floor houses the Male and Female Hygiene Departments or restrooms.

Content Summary

• Street art in Melbourne is world-famous.
• The finest places to see Melbourne's street art are hidden in plain sight, but finding them might be challenging if you're not a local.
• If you want to see the best street art in Melbourne, put on your most comfortable shoes and start walking.
• Take a stroll through the Central Business District, Fitzroy, Richmond, Collingwood, and Cremorne to view some of Melbourne's finest artworks.
• When Guns N' Roses first came to town a few years back, the alley was lined with posters welcoming them to town.
• There is now a wide range of murals and paintings on AC/DC Lane, with references to bands like AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles being commonplace.
• This street, which bears the name of an iconic Australian rock group, is a veritable museum of rock and roll memorabilia.
• AC/Flinders DC's Lane headquarters Lane was named after the Australian rock band in 2004.
• The road is now the location of the Peruvian restaurant Pastuso. However, it was originally home to the legendary live music venue Cherry Bar, which has since relocated.
• The Blender Studios is regarded as a major centre for street art.
• Blender Lane is where it all started for Melbourne's street artists, so hop in your car and pay a visit.
• Experience a riot of colour in this narrow alleyway covered in stencils, paintings, tags, and paste-ups.
• If you're familiar with Melbourne, you know Drewery Lane is unlike any other laneway in the city.
• The longtime inhabitant of the alley, Legacy House, is commemorated with a mosaic of hand-made tiles.
• Two massive pieces of street art by Fintan Magee (a portrait of a man carrying a tree) and Steen Jones (a tattoo-style dedication to Melbourne) can be found in Duckboard Place.
• Duckboard Place is killing it in terms of downtown cool, downtown grime, and street cool.
• Hosier Lane, a cobbled alley connecting Flinders Lane and Flinders Street, can be found just across from Federation Square and is widely considered the epicentre of Melbourne's street art culture.
• Hosier Lane has the highest concentration of vibrant colours per square centimetre.
• This graffiti-filled street is usually bustling with activity, and for a good reason: everything from the walls to the trash cans to the windows is covered in graffiti or other forms of street art.
• Hooke argues that the East and Southside have always had a decent amount and mix of business from small hidden passageways.
• Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne located just 6 kilometres north of the CBD, has become a hipster hotspot due to its cosmopolitan atmosphere, independent stores, and chic cafés and eateries.
• Melbourne's Central Business District is home to 260 laneways and alleys and is a refuge for street art, despite needing to be added to Hooke's list.
• One of the city's most famous examples of street art may be found on Hosier Lane.
• Blender provides street art tours around the Central Business District and Fitzroy.
• Explore the thriving Melbourne street art community and admire the more than 550 square metres of artwork created by local artists.
• Spend the afternoon dozing on the bluestone cobbles of Centre Place, just out of a postcard, and you'll feel like you've arrived in Melbourne.
• Centre Place still manages to surprise and thrill, despite being instantly recognisable from the cliches of the city's iconic laneways.
• Home to some of the most original framed mixed media works and small-scale street art pieces in Melbourne.
• Photographs, posters, stickers, and works created from repurposed materials make up most of Presgrave Place's enchanting framed art collection.
• You'll find some of Melbourne's best bars, some great street food at reasonable prices, and some beautiful murals on the walls of neighbouring buildings.
• Take a stroll along laneway pubs Section 8 and Ferdydurke, located close to Asian-themed eateries.
• After discussing the status of the world over some dumplings and a Tsingtao at Shanghai Dumpling House, you can head up the road to Section 8 or Ferdydurke for a more lively conversation.
• This once-industrial alley is now a green haven dotted with cosy cafes and flower pots.
• Croft Alley branches off Little Bourke Street, right in the heart of Chinatown.
• You'll discover Croft Institute, a popular alleyway pub in Melbourne, at the end of the alley.
• One of Melbourne's finest galleries of "uncommissioned art" can be found at the end of Croft Alley, off a laneway in the middle of Chinatown.
• The Croft has three levels to explore, all darkly lit and sharing the same chilly, slightly eerie vibe.
• The first floor is decked like a medical school lecture hall, with glass display cabinets of laboratory gear, shiny flooring, and tiny gas taps for connecting Bunsen burners.
• These rooms seem eerily like hospital exam rooms, which is frightening.
• On the second floor, accessible only after 10 p.m., you'll find bleachers for seats and real grass growing on the bar, evoking the atmosphere of a retro high school gymnasium.
• Given the ingenuity with which the rest of the venue was designed, the fact that the music tends towards the phat Beatz end of the spectrum is a letdown.