Federation Square, Melbourne

Fed Square — yes, everyone calls it that — finally opened in 2001, after decades of Melbourne wondering why a major city had managed to function without an actual public square since the 1800s. The solution was delightfully bold: just build it right on top of the old railway yards. Prime location, close to the river, no extra land needed — problem solved.

Since then, the place has turned into Melbourne’s cultural magnet. With more than eight million visitors and around two thousand events each year, the square rarely has a quiet moment. One day it’s a food festival, the next it’s a film screening, and by the weekend you might stumble into a live performance you didn’t know was on.

Two anchors define the square’s artistic energy: the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which is the country’s home for all things film and digital culture, and the Ian Potter Centre, the National Gallery of Victoria’s base for Australian art, both old and new. Together, they do a fine job of filling the square with ideas, stories, and the occasional burst of creative chaos.

And then there’s the architecture — a patchwork of sharp angles, cranked lines, and deconstructivist drama. The buildings look like they’ve been assembled from giant geometric puzzle pieces, with glass corridors splitting them apart like modern takes on Melbourne’s historic laneways. Those tall “shards” hiding staircases and lifts are all part of the fun. And if you notice pinwheel-patterned tiles under your feet, yes, they’re meant to catch your eye.

Down toward the Yarra, the square softens into leafy paths leading to Federation Wharf, where cafés and a small marina share a calmer slice of the riverfront.

Indeed, sitting right in the middle of Melbourne’s heartbeat, Fed Square is a safe bet you'll catch something happening here all the time. Just pick up some takeaway, find a seat, and let the city’s atmosphere do the rest. The events calendar on Fed Square’s website will help you keep up — if you can...