Melbourne's laneways and arcades

Melbourne’s laneways & arcades

Melbourne is famous for its laneways and arcades. They’re the canvas for the city’s adored street art and hide Melbourne’s best bars and cafes. It’s pretty rare to find a city where you actually want to spend time in the city centre, but you could lose hours following Melbourne’s laneways & arcades.

The gorgeous arcades get less hype, but they offer a refuge from the noise of the city (and often, the rain). The arcades fuse with alleyways and laneways, making it easy to duck into an arcade off Little Collins Street and pop out in a laneway a couple of blocks away, a little disoriented but thrilled by tumbling through Melbourne’s rabbit holes.

In Photos is a series on the blog for sharing photos, rather than specific guides or tips. Planning a trip to Melbourne? Check out Itinerary for 3 Days in Melbourne or The Best Neighbourhoods to Visit in Melbourne.

I acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and Woiwurrung people as the First Nations owners of the lands now recognised as Melbourne. I pay respect to their Elders, lores, customs and creation spirits. I recognise that these lands have always been places of great natural beauty, culture and community. 

PS – Planning a trip to Melbourne? Check out my Melbourne Travel Guide.

Melbourne's laneways & arcades
Centre Place is one of Melbourne’s most famous (and crowded) laneways, off Flinders Lane. The Majorca Building is a beautiful blue, and one of my favourites in Melbourne.
Melbourne's laneways Centre Place
Melbourne has more cafes per capita than any other city in the world, and with laneways like Centre Place crammed with cafes, it’s easy to see why.
Melbourne's laneways
Melburnians flocking to Tonka on Duckboard Place on a Monday evening
Melbourne's laneways
Formerly Corporation Lane, ACDC Lane is named in homage to Australian rock band AC/DC. It was named for the band’s ties to Melbourne, their role as cultural ambassadors for Australia and the lane’s importance in the city’s rock ‘n roll scene
Melbourne's laneways
Waiting outside Cherry Bar on ACDC Lane
Melbourne's laneways
Some of the city’s best restaurants are hidden down laneways, such as Pastuso, a Peruvian restaurant at the end of ACDC Lane

Melbourne's laneways black and white

I love the contrast of the heritage facade Tomasetti Building with the modern street art on the side of the building. Cnr Flinders Lane & Rothsay Lane

Melbourne's laneways black and white
Balcombe Place is fringed by two extremely old buildings, both of which are looking a little worse for wear, but add a bit of character to Little Collins St’s facade
Melbourne's laneways & arcades
This is my favourite tram stop, outside the beautiful GPO building in the Bourke Street Mall – a former post office, now a H&M.
Melbourne's laneways & arcades
Built in 1869, the Royal Arcade connects the Bourke St Mall, Little Collins St & Elizabeth St.
Melbourne's laneways & arcades
Block Place tumbles out of the Block Arcade, the perfect place for a post-shopping coffee.

Melbourne's laneways & arcades

Melbourne's Royal Arcade
Royal Arcade entrance on Bourke St
Melbourne's Block Arcade
Haigh’s Chocolate, a luxury chocolatier in the Block Arcade
Melbourne's Block Arcade
The Block Arcade
Melbourne's Block Arcade
Details in the Block Arcade
Melbourne's Block Arcade
Mysterious Australian flag & pendant light display

Have you been to Melbourne, or any of these spots? What’s the most beautiful part of your city?

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4 thoughts on “Melbourne’s laneways & arcades

    1. Thank you Jeff! Glad I could show you a new side of Melbourne 🙂 Definitely a very charming city, but then right as you think it’s all old world elegance, you’re surprised by street art or modern design.

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