The Royal Arcade is glamorous and memorable, and in many ways like the Block Arcade. It's the oldest arcade in Melbourne, built in 1870, and is on the Victorian Heritage Register. You can enter the arcade from either Bourke, Elizabeth, or Little Collins Streets. The arcade has been a city landmark since its creation. But over the years, shops had altered the appearance, and numerous architectural features were lost. In the early 2000s, a major refurbishment was completed that once again unified all of the shops to their 1894 appearance and restored many historic features.

There are boutiques, cafes, and vintage goods stores galore. You'll notice the statue of Gog and Magog at the Little Collins Street entrance. The seven-foot-tall statues have framed the giant Gaunt clock since 1892, their arms striking the chime for each hour. They are carved from pine and are like those found in Guildhall, London.

The mythical giants represent the conflict between the ancient Britons and the Trojans. Gog and Magog, sometimes called Corineus and Gogmagog, were captured by Trojans and forced to serve as porters. It is in this capacity that they stand in Guildhall and here at the Royal Arcade. The clock and the statues were added about twenty years after the arcade opened by Thomas Gaunt, a jeweler and clockmaker, who had a shop here.

Block Arcade is, without a doubt, the swankiest and most beautiful stretch of Melbourne. It was opened in 1892 and features an over-the-top French Renaissance architecture that makes the spot memorable. It's full of tall arches, cornices, and lots of decorative tiles. The arcade is full of boutiques and tea rooms and was once the prime shopping district off of Collins Street.

The arcade is L-shaped, with a large domed rotunda on the corner. Entrances are located on Elizabeth Street and Collins Street. The Collins Street entrance is opposite the even older Royal Arcade.

The name comes from the fashionable practice of "doing the block." In the late 1800s, the city's elite would dress in their best and stroll Collins Street and the arcades. It was the spot in Melbourne to "see and be seen."

Why You Should Visit:
The Block Arcade is a popular tourist attraction since it boasts the city's finest Victorian architecture. Walking the arcade is a trip back in time. It's the perfect place to stroll, window shop, and maybe have a bite to eat. The arcade's entrances are six-story tall facades that are some of the best examples of the Mannerist style of Victorian architecture in the city. The arcade is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Tips:
If you want to live the Victorian way, you must take tea at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms. First opened in 1894, they were completely redecorated in 1976 in Victorian style. Still to this day, the rooms give you the feeling that they are intended for high society. This isn't your ordinary cup of tea!

You may also want to check out the Royal Arcade, right across from the Collins Street entrance of the Block Arcade. Also, Block Court is adjacent. It has an elaborate Art Deco interior. It's no longer an arcade with shopfronts but is worth checking out regardless.

Running between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane, this spot feels a little like Paris. This short, narrow laneway is made from cobbled stone and is pedestrian-only. You can find many cafes for coffee or wine or gift shops with goods from local artists here. If you're looking for a spot to dine alfresco on a beautiful summer afternoon, Degraves is the place to go. Degraves is often mistaken with Centre Place, another laneway nearby.

Many taller buildings on Degraves have been redeveloped into loft-style apartments, which gives the area a vibrant feel. You're sure to see street performers, street art, and graffiti; all are common here, and all add to the atmosphere.

The spot is named for Charles and William Degraves, pioneers and merchants from Hobart. They set up a flour mill in the area in 1849, and William was involved in local politics for many years.

Degraves connects the bustling Flinders Street Station to the shopping districts north of it, so it's quite busy. Campbell Arcade, which is sometimes called the Degraves Underpass, runs under Flinders Street to make the passage easier. There you'll find the Platform Artists Group who frequently displays artwork there.

Are you looking for great food, shopping, and maybe some street art? Centre Place is the spot for you. It's a cramped alleyway that will remind you of Harry Potter's annual trips to Diagon Alley. The blue cobblestone street is lined with boutiques and coffee shops. It's famous for its coffee shops and bars, as well as for its street art and graffiti.

Centre Place is located on the pedestrian thoroughfare that runs from Flinders Street Station to the Collins Street shopping district. Along the route, walkers will pass through the Campbell Arcade, Degraves Street, Centre Place, and the Centreway Arcade.

Centre Place was revitalized in the 1980s to attract more restaurants and businesses. Today it's a popular spot right in the middle of the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD).

On the corner of Flinders Lane and Swanston Street, you'll find the historic Cathedral Arcade on the bottom floor of the Nicholas Building. There are a few shops and cafes, but the real attraction is the beautiful building itself and its architectural details. The leadlight archway and central domes were built in 1925. It's listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its amazing art deco architecture and details.

The Nicholas Building was designed by Harry Norris and is one of the landmark buildings in Melbourne. It was finished in 1926 at the height of the art deco movement. The style of the building is often referred to as Commercial Palazzo or Chicago School. There are many classic elements in the terracotta facade, including giant ionic and Doric columns. Most of the building's tenants have traditionally been in creative industries, like fashion designers, commercial artists, and architects. You can access the building from inside the Cathedral Arcade. If you go on an Open Studio day, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at the artist's studios in the building.

Young and Jackson is a renowned pub in Melbourne, situated across from the prominent Flinders Street Station steps. This establishment offers a captivating view of the bustling heart of Melbourne's Central Business District, overlooking Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and more.

This pub serves as a central hub for the local community, and it's affectionately known as the locals' go-to spot in Melbourne. It's a place where friends gather, families unwind, and everyone can have a good time. If you're in the mood for classic pub fare, you're in luck. Their skilled chefs have curated a delightful menu featuring a range of dishes, from high-quality steaks to fish and chips, with vegetarian options in between. Their talented bartenders are also known for crafting the finest refreshing beverages in Melbourne.

Young and Jackson, a building steeped in history since its establishment in 1861, has undergone meticulous restoration and refurbishment over the years. This effort has seamlessly merged the charm of a boutique bar with the traditional essence of a pub. Notably, the pub is home to the famous nude portrait, Chloe, a Melbourne icon and the mascot of the HMAS Melbourne. This exquisite work of art has graced the walls of the Young and Jackson Hotel since 1909, embodying grace and celebrity status.

Saint Paul’s Cathedral is the cathedral of the Anglican diocese of Melbourne and Victoria. Located just opposite Flinders Street Station, the cathedral is one of the landmarks that dominates Melbourne’s Central Business District. The location of the cathedral also has historical significance as it was the site of the first Christian service to be held in the newly founded Melbourne in 1835. Thereafter the site became a corn market until the lands were acquired to build the cathedral in 1848.

Designed in the Gothic transition style by well known English architect William Butterfield, the foundation stone was not laid down until 1880. Saint Paul’s was finally consecrated in 1891 and spires were added to the original design in the 1920s.

A T.C. Lewis organ was brought from England for the cathedral and it is considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of the well known 19th century organ maker. The bells were casted by Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London in 1889 and they are rung every Wednesday and Friday evening along with Sunday mornings. It is one of the few opportunities to hear 13 bell change ringing outside of England where the practice developed in the 17th century. Saint Paul’s is open to visitors most of the week.

Hosier Lane is a cobblestone street situated on the southern border of the central city layout, renowned for its cultural importance and role as a hub for urban art. It was designated as a Street Art Gallery in 1998, thanks to the City Lights Initiative's endeavors. This lane is conveniently located opposite the entrance to the Atrium at Federation Square on Flinders Street, making it a prominent spot in the city.

This lane has gained recognition for the high quality and often politically-themed nature of its art. It has been featured in the state-sponsored publication, "The Melbourne Design Guide," as well as in Tourism Victoria's "Lose Yourself in Melbourne" advertising campaign. These appearances have raised questions about Victoria's contrasting approach to graffiti. The walls covered in graffiti and various art installations have become a popular backdrop for fashion and wedding photography.

Furthermore, Hosier Lane is famous for its upscale cocktail lounges, including the well-known Misty and MoVida. The lane's prominence was further highlighted when Chef Frank Camorra from MoVida conducted an open-air cooking session on Masterchef Australia season 2, showcasing it as a major attraction in Melbourne.

State Library Victoria (SLV) serves as the principal library in Victoria, Australia. Situated in Melbourne, it was founded in 1854 under the name Melbourne Public Library, making it the oldest public library in Australia and one of the earliest free libraries in the world. It also boasts the distinction of being Australia's most frequented public library and, as of 2018, ranks as the fourth-most-visited library on a global scale.

The library has retained its original location in Melbourne's central business district since its inception, facing Swanston Street. The Library complex, completed in 1992, was built in phases. Joseph Reed's 1860 plan included a domed section facing Russell Street for the Museum and Gallery, which was mostly followed for a century. The southern front wing with the Queen's Reading Room (now Queen's Hall) was finished in 1859, while the northern section (now Hansen Hall) was added in 1864 by Abraham Linacre. Temporary halls and a pagoda were erected in 1866 for an exhibition, later housing the Industrial & Technological Museum of Victoria starting in 1870.

The library's extensive collection comprises more than five million items, encompassing not only books but also manuscripts, paintings, maps, photographs, and newspapers. It maintains a particular emphasis on materials related to Victoria, including the diaries of Melbourne's founders, John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, the folios of Captain James Cook, and the armor of Ned Kelly.