Self-guided art walks

One of the pleasures of Melbourne is how much art you can see without paying a cent or stepping inside. Street art fills the laneways, sculpture lines the main streets, and the NGV collection and ACCA are free to enter. These three self-guided walks link the highlights into routes you can do in a morning, an afternoon or a full day. They're starting points, not strict itineraries. Wander off, follow what catches your eye and come back another time. Use our art day planner to build a timetable with your own timings.

Walk 1: Laneways and the river

This walk focuses on street art and the river.

1. Start at Federation Square, opposite Flinders Street Station. The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia is here if you want to add Australian art.
2. Cross Flinders Street to Hosier Lane and explore it and the neighbouring lanes. Our guide to street art laneways explains what you're seeing.
3. Continue through nearby lanes and arcades, looking for murals, stencils and paste-ups.
4. Return to the river and walk along Birrarung Marr, where you'll find outdoor sculpture and public art.

Good for: a first taste of Melbourne's street art, a short morning or afternoon.

Walk 2: Swanston Street sculpture and civic art

This walk focuses on public art and the city's history.

1. Start at State Library Victoria on Swanston Street, the NGV's first home in 1861.
2. Walk south along Swanston Street, looking for sculptures and installations along the footpaths.
3. Stop at City Square, opposite the Town Hall precinct.
4. Look in at City Gallery if it's open, for exhibitions drawing on the City of Melbourne's collection.
5. Finish at Federation Square and The Ian Potter Centre.

The City of Melbourne says its Art and Heritage Collection includes more than 13,000 artworks and artefacts, and its online City Collection lists outdoor public art with locations. Use it to identify works as you go. Our guide to the public art collection explains more.

Good for: history lovers and anyone curious about the city's sculpture.

Walk 3: The arts precinct

This walk focuses on galleries south of the river.

1. Start at Federation Square and cross Princes Bridge.
2. Visit NGV International on St Kilda Road. The NGV says entry to the collection is free; some exhibitions are ticketed. Don't miss the Great Hall's coloured glass ceiling. Our guide to visiting the NGV has tips.
3. Walk to ACCA at 111 Sturt Street, Southbank. ACCA says entry is free. Look for outdoor sculpture around the building and nearby.
4. Return via Southbank and the river.

Good for: a gallery-focused afternoon or a full day if you linger.

Combining walks

Walks 1 and 3 combine well into a full day, with lunch in between. If you have two days, do Walk 2 and Walk 1 on one day and Walk 3 on another, with time to linger in the galleries. For Heide in Bulleen, plan a separate trip. See our guide to Heide and modern art.

Planning tips

• Check opening hours for galleries and City Gallery; some close on certain days.
• Check exhibitions if you want to see something specific, and book tickets where needed.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Bluestone lanes can be uneven.
• Carry water and sun protection in summer, and a layer in winter.
• Plan breaks. Cafes are everywhere in the CBD.
• Use public transport. Trams run through the city and along St Kilda Road.

Accessibility

Central Melbourne is mostly flat, and the main galleries have accessibility information on their websites. Some lanes have uneven surfaces, steps or narrow footpaths, and crowds can make lanes harder to navigate at busy times. If you have access needs, check venue information and consider visiting at quieter times.

Walking with children

Keep walks shorter, build in breaks and make a game of spotting animals, colours or faces in street art and sculpture. Hold hands in lanes with vehicles. The NGV often runs family programs, and Federation Square and Birrarung Marr have space to run around.

Adapting the walks

The walks are flexible. You might:

• shorten them by choosing two or three stops;
• lengthen them by adding commercial galleries or artist-run spaces on the way;
• theme them, for example a street art walk, a sculpture walk or an Australian art walk combining The Ian Potter Centre with public art;
• reverse them to finish near your accommodation or transport.

Walking in different seasons

Melbourne's weather can change quickly. In summer, start early or late to avoid the heat, carry water and wear a hat. In winter, bring a warm layer and an umbrella; galleries make good shelter from rain. Spring and autumn are often the most pleasant times to walk.

Using the art day planner

Our art day planner lets you choose stops, set how long you'll spend at each and how long it takes to move between them, and pick a start time. It produces a simple timetable. It doesn't know opening hours or exhibition times, so check those separately and adjust.

Evening options

Some galleries open late on certain evenings, and laneways can be lively at night, with lit murals and busy bars. If you walk at night, stick to well-lit, busy areas and keep belongings secure. Festivals sometimes add light installations and night events.

Taking a guided tour

If you'd prefer a guide, several operators offer street art and gallery tours, some led by artists. A guided tour can be a good first introduction, after which you can explore on your own. Check what's included and read reviews before booking.

Recording your walk

Many people photograph favourite works as they go. Note the location and the artist's name if shown, so you can find out more later. For street art, photographing the same wall on return visits can show how much it changes.

What to bring

• comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing;
• water and a snack;
• a phone with maps and the City Collection website for identifying works;
• a small bag, as large bags may need to be cloaked in galleries;
• a sketchbook or notebook if you like recording what you see.

Getting there and away

Federation Square, the starting point for most walks, is opposite Flinders Street Station and well served by trams and trains. NGV International and ACCA are a short walk or tram ride south. The free tram zone in the CBD makes short hops between stops easy; check current public transport information for zone boundaries.

Before you set out

Spend five minutes checking:

• opening hours for any galleries on your route, including closures on particular days;
• whether any exhibition you want to see needs a ticket or booking;
• the weather forecast;
• any events or roadworks that might affect access to lanes or squares.

Then set off with time to spare. The best moments on an art walk are often unplanned: a new mural, an open studio door or a sculpture you've never noticed before.

Sharing what you find

If you photograph and share street art online, credit the artist where you know their name. Many artists rely on social media for recognition and commissions, and a simple tag or mention helps.

Key points

• Three walks link laneways, public sculpture and the arts precinct.
• Street art and public art are free; the NGV collection and ACCA are free to enter.
• Check opening hours and exhibitions before you go.
• Wear comfortable shoes and plan breaks.
• Use our art day planner to build a timetable.