Lanes and arcades of Melbourne facts for kids

Melbourne's Famous Laneways and Arcades

Rankins Lane

Hosier Lane

Union Lane

The city center of Melbourne, Australia, is full of cool, narrow streets and covered walkways called laneways and arcades. These special paths mostly date back to the Victorian era, a long time ago. Today, they are a super popular place to visit because of their awesome cafes, fun bars, and incredible street art.

Melbourne's first laneways were part of the city's original design from 1837. They were built to help people get to the back of buildings on the main streets. By the 1850s, during the Victorian gold rush, Melbourne had more than a hundred laneways! Some of Melbourne's shopping arcades, like the Block Arcade and the Royal Arcade, became very fancy and grand during the late Victorian times.

Since the 1990s, many laneways have been made just for people walking, and they've become much nicer places. Now, they are seen as important parts of Melbourne's history and culture. They are often shown in tourism ads and attract visitors from all over the world. Some laneways, like Hosier Lane, are famous for their street art and are even called "laneway galleries."

The St Jerome's Laneway Festival, often just called Laneway, is a popular music festival that started in Melbourne's laneways in 2004.

ACDC Lane: A Rock 'n' Roll Tribute

ACDC Lane

ACDC Lane is a short, narrow laneway in Melbourne. It runs south from Flinders Lane, between Exhibition Street and Russell Street.

This street used to be called Corporation Lane. But on October 1, 2004, it was renamed to honor the famous Australian rock band AC/DC. The Melbourne City Council voted to rename it, and everyone agreed! The band's name has a lightning bolt symbol, but the street sign couldn't use it because of naming rules. So, it's just "ACDC Lane."

Melbourne's Lord Mayor, John So, officially opened ACDC Lane. He said, "As the song says, there is a highway to hell, but this is a laneway to heaven. Let us rock!" Then, bagpipes played the band's song "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)." A month later, a lightning bolt was put above and below the street sign.

Corporation Lane was chosen because AC/DC filmed the music video for "It's a Long Way to the Top" on Swanston Street in Melbourne, which is close by. Also, AC/DC is a huge band for Australia, and the lane is in a popular bar area.

Amphlett Lane: Honoring a Singer

Amphlett Lane is a laneway off Little Bourke Street. It was renamed in 2014 to honor Chrissy Amphlett. Chrissy Amphlett was an Australian singer and actress. She was the lead singer of the rock band Divinyls. Chrissy Amphlett passed away in 2013.

This laneway is located behind the Princess Theatre and the Palace on Bourke Street. These are places where Chrissy Amphlett famously performed.

Bank Place: A Historic Financial Hub

Bank Place

Bank Place is a short, narrow laneway in Melbourne. It runs south from Little Collins Street, between Queen Street and William Street.

This laneway is in the middle of Melbourne's financial area. Bank Place is special because it has many old buildings from the 1860s to the 1920s. These buildings are protected because of their history.

One important building is the Mitre Tavern, a historic pub that opened in 1868. It was a popular spot for many famous Australian artists in the early 1900s. The lane also has beautiful old lamp posts and bluestone paths.

Bank Place is home to several popular bars and cafes. Many of the old, tall buildings have been turned into apartments.

Bligh Place: A Student-Friendly Spot

Bligh Place, looking South from the Deanery through to the University Arcade

Bligh Place is a short, quiet, and narrow laneway. It runs north from Flinders Lane, between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street.

This lane is near Victoria University and Melbourne's financial center. It connects to University Place and University Arcade, leading to Flinders Street. Because of this, it's popular with students. You'll find small noodle shops, sushi places, cafes, and wine bars here.

Bligh Place was developed in the 1990s when Victoria University moved its campus closer to the city. It has a historic building that was restored in the late 1990s. The lane is paved with bitumen and has a small bluestone gutter. It has lights hanging overhead and is only used by people walking.

The Block Arcade: A Grand Shopping Experience

Block Arcade

The Block Arcade is a beautiful historic shopping arcade. It forms a short, narrow laneway that connects Collins Street to Little Collins Street in Melbourne's city center. It also connects to Elizabeth Street, making an L-shaped arcade. You can also get to Block Place and then to the Royal Arcade from here.

The "Golden Mile heritage walk" of Melbourne goes right through this arcade.

The Block Arcade was built between 1891 and 1893. The architect, David C. Askew, wanted it to look like the famous Galleria Vittoria in Milan, Italy. The result is one of Melbourne's most richly decorated indoor spaces! It has mosaic tiled floors, a glass roof, fancy ironwork, and carved stone details. The outside of the building is also very grand and is a great example of Victorian style.

This arcade used to be called "Carpenter's Lane," but the area was already known as "The Block." So, local shopkeepers asked for the name to be changed to "The Block Arcade," and it was!

It's a very important Victorian-era arcade and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Along with the Royal Arcade and other laneways, it's a famous tourist spot in Melbourne.

Block Place: Cafes and Shopping

Block Place

Block Place is a short, narrow laneway, partly covered. It runs south from Little Collins Street, between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street.

Block Place is only for pedestrians (people walking). It's a trendy and popular spot for both locals and tourists. It has cozy outdoor cafes and shops, especially close to Melbourne's main shopping areas. Cafe Segovia is a popular lunch spot, and there's a cool record store underground.

This laneway connects to the historic Block Arcade, which is a covered shopping arcade from the 19th century. The Block Arcade and Block Place form a T-shape, running from Little Collins Street through to Collins Street and Elizabeth Street.

The Royal Arcade is just across Little Collins Street and connects through to Bourke Street.

Cathedral Arcade: A Stained Glass Gem

Cathedral Arcade

Cathedral Arcade is a historic shopping arcade. It's a short, narrow laneway that connects Swanston Street to Flinders Lane. It's shaped like a T, but one part of the laneway ends inside the building.

This arcade is special because it still has all its original features. The entire arcade is covered with beautiful stained glass and leadlights, forming a detailed arch that leads to a central dome. The floors have pretty ceramic tiles, and the shopfronts have richly carved wood panels.

This art deco arcade was built in 1925 and is part of the Nicholas Building. The building and the arcade are listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Causeway Lane: A Shopping Shortcut

Causeway Lane

Causeway Lane (also known as The Causeway) is a short, quiet, and narrow laneway. It runs between Bourke Street Mall and Little Collins Street, between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street.

Located in the heart of the shopping area, the Causeway has small boutique shops, indoor and outdoor cafes, and sushi bars.

The lane is known for the historic former Union Bank building. This tall, curved building was built in the 1920s and has a special entrance at the corner of the lane. It's now home to Laurent, a fancy French pastry shop.

The lane is paved with bitumen and is lined by the plain sides of some historic buildings. No cars are allowed here.

Centre Place: Street Art Hotspot

Centre Place

Centre Place is a busy laneway and arcade that runs between Flinders Lane and Collins Street.

This laneway is home to many lively bars, cafes, restaurants, unique shops, and sushi bars. It's also famous for having some of Melbourne's best street art and graffiti, especially stencil art. This area has been used in tourist ads for the city because it's so vibrant and artistic.

Corporation Lane: The Default Name

Many smaller laneways in Melbourne are given the standard name "Corporation Lane." Often, these "unnamed" laneways don't even appear on maps. Over time, some of them have been renamed to something more unique, often to honor someone or something. The most famous example is ACDC Lane.

Because there are so many "Corporation Lanes," they are identified by a number. For example, the lane that became Menzies Lane was once called "Corporation Lane (No. 1161)."

Croft Alley: Chinatown's Hidden Gem

Croft Alley

Croft Alley is a narrow laneway in Chinatown. It connects Payne's Place and Little Bourke Street, between Russell and Exhibition streets. In the 1800s, it led to other laneways, but now this part is a dead end. Today, it's mostly known for its bars and cool street art.

Dame Edna Place: A Star's Own Lane

Dame Edna Place (formerly Brown Alley) is a lane off Little Collins Street. It was renamed in 2007 to honor Dame Edna Everage, a famous Australian character. The Lord Mayor John So officially opened it. Dame Edna Place is across from Royal Arcade and The Causeway, between Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street. Before its renaming, it was just a service alley for nearby buildings. Dame Edna herself wasn't there, but ten people dressed like her represented her at the ceremony!

Degraves Street: Coffee and Culture

Degraves Street

Degraves Street is a short, narrow laneway. It runs north from Flinders Street to Flinders Lane.

It was named after Charles and William Degraves, who were early merchants in Melbourne. William Degraves was also a large landowner and a member of Victoria's government.

This bluestone cobbled alley is a busy path for people coming from Flinders Street station who want to go to the shops on Collins Street and Bourke Street Mall. It connects loosely with Centre Place, a similar lane just across Flinders Lane. The Degraves underpass was built in the 1950s to help people walk from Flinders Street Station to Degraves Street without crossing the busy Flinders Street. The underpass also hosts art shows. Cars can only use the lane with special permission.

The lane has many bars, cafes, and restaurants. Many of the old, tall buildings were turned into apartments in the 1990s, making the street even livelier.

People often use Degraves Street for a quick coffee stop before catching their train at Flinders Street station.

Flinders Lane: A Creative Hub

Flinders Lane

Flinders Lane is a smaller street that runs next to and north of Flinders Street. It's a narrow one-way lane. In the middle of the 20th century, it was the center of Melbourne's clothing industry. Today, it's still home to small fashion designers.

Even though some old buildings are gone, Flinders Lane is now known for its cool, artistic vibe, similar to SoHo in New York. Today, the area has many unique hotels, apartments made from old buildings, cafes, and bars. It also connects to many smaller lanes like Degraves Street, ACDC Lane, and Manchester Lane, which wind through the city.

For one block between William Street and Market Street, Melbourne tram route 58 runs along Flinders Lane.

Hardware Lane: Dining and Entertainment

Hardware Lane

Hardware Lane runs mostly north-south between Bourke Street and Little Lonsdale Street. You'll find restaurants, ski shops, and hairdressers on this street. There's also a McDonald's at the south end and other fast food places.

The lane is closed to cars, and at night, live jazz music entertains visitors at the bars and cafes.

Hardware Lane was named after Hardware House in the 1920s. It was built on land that used to be Kirk's Horse Bazaar, a place where horses were traded in 1840.

The Dynon's Building at 63–73 Hardware Lane is a set of four warehouses designed by William Pitt, who also designed some of Melbourne's most beautiful gothic revival buildings, like the Princess Theatre.

Hosier Lane: Melbourne's Street Art Gallery

Hosier Lane

Hosier Lane is a bluestone-cobbled laneway for both cars and people. It's on the southern edge of the city center. Hosier Lane is very famous, mainly because of its amazing street art.

Hosier Lane is right across from the entrance to the Atrium at Federation Square on Flinders Street, making it a very noticeable spot in the city.

The lane is known for the high quality and often political messages of its art. It's even featured in official tourism guides for Melbourne. The walls covered in graffiti and art installations have become a popular background for fashion and wedding photos.

Hosier Lane is also known for its fancy cocktail lounges, like Misty and MoVida. A cooking show with MoVida's chef Frank Camorra on Masterchef Australia even featured the lane as a major Melbourne attraction.

Howey Place: A Historic Shopping Arcade

Howey Place

Howey Place, once called "Cole's Walk," is a shopping arcade. It's a short, narrow, covered laneway that runs south from Little Collins Street, between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street.

Located in the middle of the shopping area, Howey Place is currently lined with small designer fashion shops. It connects to the Sportsgirl Centre, a shopping mall at 234 Collins Street, which goes through to Collins Street. It also forms an "L" shape towards the back of the Capitol Arcade, connecting it to Swanston Street.

Cars are not allowed here.

Before 1896, Howey Place was just a plain lane. In 1896, Edward William Cole, who created the famous Cole's Book Arcade, covered the lane with a glass roof. He also added glass display cases along the street to attract shops. These included a Cole's wholesale bookstore, a toy store, and a printing shop.

In the 1920s, the modern-looking Presgrave building was added to the lane.

Howey House, a tall art-deco building from the 1930s, used to connect the lane to Collins Street. However, Howey House was taken down in the 1980s to build the Sportsgirl Centre, a modern shopping mall.

Niagara Lane: Old Warehouses and Pulleys

Niagara Lane

Niagara Lane is a small lane that runs roughly north-south between Bourke Street and Little Bourke Street. The lane is named after the Niagara buildings, which were warehouses from the early 1900s. These buildings still have their original pulley and hook systems that were used to lift goods from horse and carts back in the day!

The lane is lined with old buildings and is paved with bluestone cobblestones. People and small vehicles can use it. Looking south, you can see the copper-domed tower of 333 Collins Street and the Eureka Tower.

On the western corner of Lonsdale Street is the Niagara Hotel. This hotel was built in the 1870s, and its front was updated in the 1920s.

McKillop Street: Red Bricks and Cafes

McKillop Street

McKillop Street is a short, quiet, and narrow laneway. It runs between Bourke Street and Little Collins Street, between Queen Street and Elizabeth Street in Melbourne's city center.

Located between the financial area and the shopping district, McKillop Street is currently lined with small boutique shops and outdoor cafes.

The lane is paved with red bricks and has several trees and old-style lampposts. Cars have limited access here. Some of the historic buildings along the street have been turned into apartments.

Melbourne GPO: A Grand Retail Hub

The Melbourne General Post Office, or GPO, is a famous building on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Bourke Street. It was restored in 2004 and is now a major arcade that runs from Bourke Street through to Little Bourke Street. It's a great place for shopping and exploring.

Royal Arcade: Melbourne's Oldest Arcade

Royal Arcade

Royal Arcade is a historic shopping arcade that was first built in 1869. It connects Little Collins Street to the Bourke Street Mall, with another path running to Elizabeth Street in the west. It also connects to the smaller Hub Arcade near the Little Collins Street end.

Designed by Charles Webb, the arcade has a high glass roof and shops with big windows. At the south end, the arcade features statues of mythical figures called Gog and Magog and a clock that chimes every hour. The arcade was restored between 2002 and 2004, which brought in more natural light and made the shopfronts look consistent.

It's a very important Victorian-era arcade and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Melbourne's "Golden Mile heritage walk" also goes through this arcade.

Along with Melbourne's other main arcade, the Block Arcade, and Melbourne's laneways, it's a famous tourist spot in the city. Royal Arcade is known for its fashion stores and special shops, like a tarot card reading store.

Images for kids

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  Rankins Lane

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  Hosier Lane

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  Union Lane

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  ACDC Lane

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  Bank Place

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  Bligh Place, looking South from the Deanery through to the University Arcade

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  Block Arcade

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  Block Place

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  Caledonian Lane

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  Cathedral Arcade

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  Causeway Lane

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  Centre Place

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  Croft Alley

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  Degraves Street

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  Flinders Lane

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  Hardware Lane

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  Hosier Lane

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  Howey Place

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  Niagara Lane

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  McKillop Street

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  Royal Arcade