A wide paved pedestrian laneway lined with eucalyptus trees and native grasses. Two people walk ahead toward a red steel structure and historic brick buildings. A woman with a backpack walks in the foreground.
Dense native grasses and wildflowers in the foreground, with a curved corten steel garden bed and dark spherical bollards partially visible behind. Eucalyptus trees and a historic red brick building in the background.
Two people sit on timber-and-steel chairs beside a low concrete bench seat, surrounded by native grasses and young eucalyptus trees. A third person walks nearby along a bluestone-paved public space, with city towers visible in the background.
An elevated riverside promenade along the Yarra River on a sunny day. Crowds of people walk, sit at picnic tables, and lean against railings. A ramp with metal handrails leads down to the waterfront deck, with bicycles parked along the rail. Princes Bridge and the Melbourne city skyline are visible in the background.

Design Excellence Walking Tour

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Architect/Designer: City Design, City of Melbourne and various key project collaborators.

Description

A guided stroll along the Swanston Street spine towards open spaces in the City’s south invites people to reflect on how the city has carved spaces of respite and reciprocity over time. Whether big, small or incidental, Melbourne has made a deliberate effort to find spaces to give back. 

The tour celebrates the design of spaces in between buildings that are a testament to Melbourne’s public realm, acting as urban living rooms that invite participation without barriers. By actively managing, rethinking and negotiating a changing public realm, the places outlined in this walking tour demonstrate that a generous city is a deliberate design choice, and great public space should reflect a commitment to prioritising community participation, diversity and inclusion.

What's On

Considering the diverse tapestry of Melbourne’s urban gathering places, we celebrate a range of newly completed public spaces along the Swanston Street spine. Starting at the newly completed City Square and making our way down to Greenline Project at Birrarung Marr, Dodds Street Linear Park and Rocks on Wheels, we’ll highlight the community and City’s role in creating new places for people and our living landscapes. 

We invite you to see our open spaces as deliberate acts of care that foster reciprocity and shape a more inclusive future.

Children's Activities

This walking tour is suitable for all ages, in particular children and families interested in how cities are shaped  

Images: (1-2) Dodds Street Linear Park. Photos: Elizabeth Campbell. (3) Southbank Boulevard. Photo: Diana Snape. (4) Greenline Project: Birrarung Marr Precinct Site 1. Photo: City of Melbourne.

Important Details

Tour/event summary information

Saturday 25 July
Tours run 11am + 1.30pm
Running for 90 minutes in groups of 25

Bookings

Bookings required—$7 booking fee applies
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 1 July
Second release tickets: 10am Saturday 4 July

Book

Meeting Point

Meet at City Square, corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane.

Accessibility

All ages, Accessible bathrooms

Partially wheelchair accessible. The walking tour route includes some uneven ground, kerbs, and steps or level changes at certain points. Comfortable, flat-soled footwear is recommended. Public toilets are accessible along the route.

Location

What's on nearby

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Invicta House

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The first image shows three people inside an ornate room with intricately carved ceilings, wooden paneling, and brown marble columns
Melbourne Town Hall

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Melbourne Town Hall—Art and Heritage Collection Store

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