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Colour photograph of the Melbourne Town Hall from Swanston Street at night. On the corner of two city streets the building, with its French Renaissance style clock tower prominently positioned, is brightly lit in the evening sky.
Colour photograph of three people standing in front of corinthian-style columns supporting the portico of the Second Empire style town hall.
Colour photograph of the Melbourne Town Hall from Swanston Street at night. On the corner of two city streets the building, with its French Renaissance style clock tower prominently positioned, is brightly lit in the evening sky.

Melbourne Town Hall

Reed and Barnes Architects and Surveyers 1867

Description

Experience the grandeur of the impressive wood-panelled council chambers, view the stunning reception rooms, stand on the Portico balcony where The Beatles waved to the crowd below, and see the richly carved Town Hall grand organ—the largest of its type in the Southern hemisphere.

The Second Empire-style building takes inspiration from several different periods and styles and celebrates its corner site with a tower in the grand French Renaissance style.

The Town Hall is also home to the Visitor Hub which offers high-quality, locally made gifts including graphic postcards of Melbourne architecture and streets featuring Melbourne's magnificent 19th-century Town Hall.

What's On

Led by a professional tour guide, take a walk through one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings. The Portico was once the place where important visitors were presented to the people in the street below, giving everyone a great view. Visitors include Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1954, The Beatles in 1964 and ABBA in 1977, as well as Lionel Rose in 1968, the first Aboriginal person to win the world bantamweight boxing title. Hear stories about the Yarra Room, which was the original council chamber, and the Melbourne Room, where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was entertained during her visit in 1954. Don't miss the Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ, dating back to 1929, in the auditorium.

Images: (1) Melbourne Town Hall lit up at dusk. (2) Under the town hall portico. (3) Melbourne Town Hall lit up at dusk. All photos: courtesy of Melbourne Town Hall.

Important Details

Time & Date

Saturday 27 + Sunday 28 July
Guided tours at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm + 3pm
Running for 60 minutes in groups of 15

Enter via Administration building.
Prams and bags are not permitted on tours. Prams can be left in the security storage area and bags can be kept in the lockers at visitor’s own risk. Photo identification is required for all visitors over the age of 18. Security check and baggage scanning will be conducted upon entry. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

ACCESSIBILITY

Elevator access, Partially wheelchair accessible

Location

Melbourne Town Hall, 90-120 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

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Acknowledgement of Country

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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Built By Efront

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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