Federation Square Melbourne...where all the fun begins

Make Federation Square Melbourne your first port of call when visiting the CBD.

Come and discover Australia's fascination with horse racing, the world famous people's square and immerse yourself in Australia's beautiful and diverse artworks.

Expect to spend quite some hours discovering all the interesting and different aspects of Federation Square Melbourne, where there is something for all the family to enjoy...

Another great Family Getaway and Melbourne Attraction

Federation Square, it's big, it's modern and best of all it's loads of fun.

• The well stocked Information Center
• For the art critic in all of us, The Ian Potter Gallery
• ACMI
• The Atrium
• The Australian Racing Museum
• The Square--Melbourne's Public open area with its Big Screen
• Ferry Cruises
• The beautiful Yarra River Walks
• Staged regular events
• Federation Square melbourne has some great shopping experiences in fascinating archades
• Lots of other Touristy stuff

Just click on the banner or link below, fill in your requirements and there you have it. Simple and effective way to find exactly what you are after.

The old Jolimont Railyard has now been dramatically altered and the railway lines have been reduced and those left in use, improved.

The removal of the old Gas and Fuel towers allowed for clever and artistic designers to the competition to design a Square that would spread over the rail lines. We can now all enjoy the winning and clever inspirational design that now is called Federation Square Melbourne.

The winner is Lab Architecture Studio in conjunction with Bates Smart

The inspiration comes from the unique characteristics of Melbourne's lane ways and arcades.

The Federation Square Melbourne area spreads from Swanston Street to Melbourne Park with these features...

• A large irregular shaped city square or piazza
• An area for alfresco dining, street theatre and music-St Paul's Court
• A complex of buildings along Flinders Street for galleries, performance and cafes
• A building complex housing ACMI, centre for multi media facilities and offices
• A glass winter garden atrium with rainforest and desert greenhouses
• A free standing restaurant and viewing tower
• The National Gallery of Victoria-NGV housing The world famous Australian Art Collection
• Function centres
• The Australian racing Museum
• Home of SBS

Always expanding with new and diversely international tenants, Federation Square Melbourne can only become more interesting as the years go on.

The well stocked Information Center

You can even book some great day trips to outer Melbourne tourist destinations...a one stop shop for local, interstate and overseas visitors, opposite the famous Flinder's Street Clocks.


Here are some of my suggestions for you to really enjoy what Melbourne and the surrounding countryside has to offer.

For the art critic in all of us...
The Ian Potter Centre

This centre: NGV Australia is the world's first major gallery dedicated exclusively to Australian art. There are over 20 galleries here in the complex.

Here you will find, the history of Australian art from the Colonial period and the Heidleberg School through to contemporary art as well as a special suite of galleries displaying proudly the works of Aboriginal and The Torres Strait Islanders.

Where: The Atrium

When: 10:00am-5:00pm, Thursday until 9:00pm

Closed Mondays

Contact: 0328620222

ngv.vic.gov.au

ACMI, The Australian Centre for Moving Image at the Federation Square Melbourne

• Special exhibitions
• Classic Australian film experiences
• The very latest in world cinema and animation
• Hands on workshops

ACMI is totally dedicated to all forms of moving image. film, TV, games, new media and screen based art, the latest computer games and digital art of the future.

A totally engrossing experience for all the family and a great way to introduce this medium to the kids.

Where: Entry via Flinders Street or The Square

When: Screen Gallery is open daily 10:00am-6:00pm, Thursday till 9:00pm. Closed Christmas day and Good Friday

Contact: 03 8663 2200

acmi.net.au for screenings

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Watch this space for information as to what will be put in it's place.

In the meantime all the memorabilia is in storage and will be set up in it's new home within the National Sports Museum at the MCG. This will take place around the Spring Carnival Time, late October, early November.

You can still view some of the history of racing at the Melbourne Museum and a small selection of memorabilia items at the National Sports Museum.

The Australian Racing Museum

The rich history of the Australian racing industry is proudly displayed here at Federation Square Melbourne.

Champions is the home of the Aussie racing's hall of fame.

Memorabilia and some fantastic multimedia attractions will really wow and entertain every family member.

Where: The Square

When: Daily, 10:00am-6:00pm. (closed Christmas and Good Friday)

racingmuseum.com.au

The Atrium

Melbourne's lane ways and arcades have inspired the creation of a spectacular conglomerate of steel and glass.

This location is used for many events such as fashion parades, festival launches and the well observed Book Market

There are plenty of cafes and restaurants, boutique stores and a souvenir hunter's paradise.

A truly amazing visual experience not to be missed

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The Square with its Big Screen and open Public area

When there is something big happening in Melbourne then it is almost certainly happening in The Square. The day I visited last the Chinese Cultural Festival was in full swing.

• The Book Market a FREE event every Saturday, 11:00am-5:00pm at the Atrium
• The Car Club Showcase-a FREE event on the last Sunday of every month, 11:00am-2:30pm for all you car enthusiasts held at the Flinders Street end of the Atrium
• Tai Chi-a FREE event held every Tuesday, 7:30am-8:30am in the main Square.

Lots of Touristy Stuff

5 Top Tour Bus Operators use the Federation Square Melbourne as their home, here you can book some amazing tours such as The Great Ocean Road, The Penguin Parade and the Puffing Billy just to name a few.

The buses depart daily from the Russell Street extension and Flinders Street.

• AAT Kings
• APT
• Gray Line
• Melbourne's Bus Tours
• Melbourne on the Move

Or you may like to investigate more, there are some truly amazing parts of the Victorian countryside to see and enjoy.

Just click here for more detailed touring information.

From the Yarra River, Melbourne's ancient waterway, you can take in the sights of the CBD and gain a totally different perspective.

Melbourne's best boating operators base their home at Federation Warf.

Rentabike

Conveniently located at the River's Edge, the Yarra that is, you will find bikes, maps and all the advice you will need to explore this wonderful city of Melbourne with your whole family.

Do it yourself or be guided, either way I recommend that Rent a Bike is the way to go

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Tours of Fed Square

• A-One hour guided walking tour of The Federation Square Melbourne
• B-Behind the Square guided tour

A) Professional guides will give you a unique overview of the site's history. Explaining the how, when and why of this truly amazing Melbourne Attraction

Where: Begin outside the Melbourne Visitors Centre.

When: Monday - Saturday, 2:30pm

For more information on prices etc, phone: (03)9928 0096 or souveniers@bestof.com.au

B) Get down deep into the very bowels of Federation Square Melbourne, discover the hidden secrets. Explore over, under and all around this amazing place. Your guide will let you in on all sorts of tit bits that the general public don't know. Ps: You will know more than me 'cause I still haven't done this, it's on my to do list!

CHECK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON THIS TOUR

Cyber stuff and nonsense

Wow! It never ceases to amaze me, modern technology...

• Podcasts
• Free Foreign newspapers
• Australia's largest FREE, outdoor WiFi site
• High speed wireless broadband
• Send a personal message to the Big Screen with SMS Fed TV, what about a birthday message to "the Kid"
Put a message up on the Optus Message Board, just text 19SMS FED
• SBS Radio, TV and online has its home in the Alfred deakin Building.

Melbourne's mobility Centre

Wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, children's strollers, vision canes and other mobility aids are available here to help you get around.

Operated by the YMCA Victoria on behalf of the City of Melbourne and dedicated to improving accessibility in the CBD.

Where: Car Park, on the bottom level opposite the lift

When: Monday to Friday, 9:00am-6:00pm.

Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am-4:00pm

Closed on all Public Holidays

Contact: (03)9650 6499, TTY 9650 9316 or Freecall 1800 735 266

The Melbourne Mobility Centre

Getting to The Square

By Car

Check out the Journey Planner on my map here. Click on the blue icon button, this opens a map, click on Federation Square and then follow directions on how to get there

Once there, it is easy to get a park...Safe, affordable and convenient onsite parking, what more could you want?

The multi-level car park is accessible from Russell Street or Batman Ave (Exhibition Street extension - City Link) and provides a secure environment, a quick and easy payment system, affordable rates and quick access to Federation Square Melbourne, the MCG, Southbank and Melbourne’s CBD.

Open: Monday - Thursday, 6:00am-midnight

Friday, 6:00am-1:00am

Saturday, 8:00am-2:00am

Sunday, 8:00-midnight

Public transport

Use the Metlink Journey Planner. This is easy to use and you can choose your mode of transport to suit your individual need. A most convenient way to get around.

If you are visiting Melbourne and would like to stay over for 1,2 or more nights may I introduce you to a most convenient booking service.

Find your Melbourne Accommodation here

Here all your need are met, just follow the directions and soon you will be enjoying great service, great food and best of all great fun. Enjoy...

So that is my Federation Square Melbourne, SuperNan's suggestion for your first port of call when visiting Melbourne.

To compliment your Federation Square Melbourne sight seeing, wander down the steps to Birrarung Marr, Melbourne's newest and most modern parkland.

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