Explore the City North precinct
At the northern edge of Melbourne’s CBD, City North is where education, research, culture and everyday city life intersect. An exciting and walkable district, it is home to universities, research institutes, health and biomedical organisations, cultural institutions, businesses, and community partners in a connected ecosystem where knowledge, talent and place come together to support collaboration, creativity and innovation.
This itinerary doesn’t capture every City North experience taking place across the Weekend. Instead, it offers an introduction to the district itself—its institutions, public spaces, history and innovation ecosystem—and provides a starting point for exploring the many talks, tours and open buildings on offer.
Start your visit with a walking tour centred on RMIT University’s City North Social Innovation Precinct (the Precinct). RMIT’s flagship place-based initiative, the Precinct serves as a living laboratory where education, industry, government and community come together to test ideas, build partnerships and address shared social, economic and workforce challenges. Located within the broader City North district, the Precinct provides a unique lens through which to experience the people, places and partnerships shaping the area.
As you move through RMIT’s campus and into the Precinct, you’ll see how the University is embedded within both Melbourne’s city centre and the wider City North district. Rather than existing behind gates or boundaries, RMIT’s buildings, laneways and public spaces are woven into the urban fabric, creating opportunities for interaction between students, researchers, businesses and the broader community.
Learn more about the precinct
The story of City North is closely connected to the story of RMIT itself. Established in 1887 as the Working Men’s College by philanthropist Francis Ormond, the University was founded to provide practical education for Melbourne’s growing workforce during a period of rapid industrial and economic development. More than a century later, RMIT continues that legacy. Throughout RMIT’s City Campus, heritage buildings sit alongside contemporary teaching and research facilities, reflecting not only the University’s evolution but also the transformation of Melbourne’s City North from a nineteenth-century centre of industry and civic life into a globally connected district of education, research, innovation and culture.
After your walking tour of RMIT’s City North Social Innovation Precinct, take some time to explore the wider City North district. Stop by iconic institutions including State Library Victoria, Trades Hall, the University of Melbourne and its Melbourne Connect innovation precinct and Queen Victoria Market – City North is home to a rich network of organisations, places and communities.
As you walk, notice the layers of history that continue to shape the area. Nearby landmarks such as the Old Melbourne Gaol, the former Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and the historic institutions of Carlton provide insight into the people, events and ideas that helped define Melbourne’s civic, educational and cultural identity.
Located on the lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, City North is also a place where First Nations knowledge and leadership are increasingly embedding Indigenous perspectives into teaching, design and community engagement.
Within walking distance, Carlton Gardens, Argyle Square and Lincoln Square offer places to pause and reflect, while smaller courtyards, laneways and campus spaces provide moments of connection throughout the district.
Carlton Historical WalkCity North is also deeply connected to Melbourne’s food and hospitality culture. Wander towards Queen Victoria Market or explore nearby café and dining strips along Lygon Street. Enjoy a drink at local pubs including the John Curtin Hotel and The Oxford Scholar, reflecting the district’s enduring connection to student life.
There is always something exciting happening in City North. Shaped by more than a century of education, creativity and enterprise, it remains a place where historic Melbourne meets future-focused thinking. This introduction only scratches the surface of what the precinct has to offer—continue your exploration through the Weekend’s talks, tours and open buildings to discover the people, places and ideas shaping City North today.
Across the Weekend, there are numerous talks, tours and buildings open for you to experience City North firsthand.
