Favourite places to take photos in Melbourne – part one - City of Melbourne What's On blog |City of Melbourne What's On blog

Whether you’re in Melbourne for a short time or you want to spruce up your Instagram game, these are the spots you need to snap. Looking for more inspiration? Stop by the Melbourne Visitor Hub and have a chat to the friendly team.

Flinders Street Station lights

A state of the art lighting system has breathed new life into Flinders Street Station, one of Melbourne’s most photographed landmarks. Carefully positioned to show off the exterior decorations, depth is created through shadows and varying intensities of light. The cutting-edge system can turn the station any colour, and spectacular light shows are often run through major events.

Lines of light from traffic zooming past an old domed building lit up at night

The lights of Flinders Street Station

Docklands

A favourite among photographers, Docklands is blessed with colourful sunsets and glittering skylines. The quay skims along the Yarra River and plays host to a number of restaurants and cafes, Marvel Stadium and the Melbourne Observation Wheel.

Several different sized buildings, a huge ferris wheel and boats lit up up night by the water

Docklands

Siglo Bar
Across from Parliament Reserve and Parliament House, Siglo Bar’s rooftop is a Parisian-styled spot. Treat yourself to aperitifs, fresh oysters and no-fuss sausage rolls

Centre Place
One of Melbourne’s first laneways and the centre of Melbourne fringe culture, Centre Place attracts all types. Take a collection of arty shots to work up an appetite.

People walking through a street art covered laneway

Centre Place

Melbourne city laneways
Melbourne’s street-art covered laneways are among the city’s most most iconic sights. Awesome spots to discover including ACDC Lane, Croft Alley and Tattersalls Lane. Meyers Place and Guildford Lane have both been transformed by City of Melbourne’s Green Your Laneway program. Each lane sports stunning murals created by leading street artist, Mike Makatron. Admire his beautiful urban jungle, then enjoy city views and a brew at Loop Roof.

A huge street art mural on the wall of a laneway, with lit up skyscrapers in the distance

Meyers Place

Princes Bridge
Princes Bridge is one of the busiest footpaths in Melbourne. Stop and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Yarra River. From Princes Bridge, you’ll be able to spot historic Southbank buildings on one side and the MCG on the other. The famous Arts Centre Melbourne spiral tower, Eureka Skydeck and Flinders Street Station even look close enough to touch.

A bridge over a river with the city skyline lit up at night in the background

Princes Bridge

Yarra River
There are countless classic shots waiting to be taken all along the Yarra River. Nestled in the vintage vaults below Federation Square, Riverland is perfect for river views and people watching. Or head to Arbory Bar and Eatery (or their floating pop-up, Arbory Afloat) to grab a spritz and a riverside spot. Further down at South Wharf, Boatbuilders Yard has spectacular views, especially at sunset.

Diners sitting, eating and drinking at an outdoor bar at dusk

Riverland

The lake at Botanic Gardens
Appropriately named, Ornamental Lake is a picturesque spot nestled within Royal Botanic Gardens. Home to a cluster of distinct islands, the lake is a fantastic sunny picnic spot in all seasons.

Presgrave Place
Presgrave Place is one of the lesser explored laneways in Melbourne. A kaleidoscope of street-art covers the space, with the tiny Bar Americano wedged between open brick walls.