Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city with some of the most Instagrammable backgrounds in Australia thanks to its eclectic mix of architecture, street art and cultural attractions. From historic arcades and cobblestone laneways to iconic landmarks and attractions, Melbourne offers a wealth of photogenic opportunities to make any mail likeable.

Melbourne is also a top destination for Instagrammers thanks to its thriving street art scene. The city is home to some of the world's most talented street artists, who have transformed once-derelict buildings and laneways into vibrant canvases of color and creativity. Follow this guide to the most Instagrammable places in Melbourne.

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    Hosier Lane

    Street art snaps

    Hosier Lane
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    Hosier Lane on the southern edge of Melbourne's central business district (CBD) between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane is one of the city’s most iconic street art destinations. Head to this cobble street laneway for funky shots with a vibrant background of street art.

    This is a very popular spot to photograph and the narrow laneway can get very busy, so to get that iconic long shot of the empty alley, make sure you get up early! The laneway’s mural and stencil art are constantly evolving, offering up an ever-changing visual feast for photographers – likes guaranteed!

    Location: Hosier Lane, Melbourne, VIC, Australia


  • 2

    Flinders Street Station

    Cross the tracks for great snaps

    Flinders Street Station
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    Flinders Street Station is a historic building dating back to 1905, in the heart of Melbourne’s Central Business District. A must-visit for Instagrammers, the station’s golden yellow brick façade and grand clock tower make for excellent photo opportunities. Head inside to explore more great shots, with the station’s intricate tiled flooring, arched ceilings and old-fashioned signage.

    Try shooting from a low angle to capture the grandeur of the building, or from above to showcase the bustling crowds below. Search out architecture-related hashtags to garner the most likes on this iconic structure.

    Location: Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

    Phone: +61 (0)3 9610 7476

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  • 3

    Center Place

    Cobble-street cool

    Center Place
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    Center Place, appropriately situated in the heart of the city’s CBD, is one of Melbourne's most famous bluestone cobble laneways. A bustling hub of cafes, stencil art and graffiti, this narrow lane is best known for its quirky shops, historic architecture… and delicious food!

    Visit during the quieter hours when the laneway is less crowded, so you can experiment with different angles and perspectives. Look for the narrow staircase above ‘Hells Kitchen’ and head up to score the best shots of the bustling laneway below.

    Location: Center Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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  • 4

    The National Gallery of Victoria

    Explore Indigenous Art

    The National Gallery of Victoria
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    The National Gallery of Victoria on the Southbank is one of the most significant public art institutions in Australia and offers a wealth of stunning selfie backgrounds and like-worthy shots. The gallery itself is packed with photogenic features, from the water-wall entrance to the stained-glass ceiling, but the art’s the star here.

    Look for the Indigenous collections of Aboriginal art, including intricate shields and dot paintings, as well as European and American big names including Hockney, Picasso and Warhol, to frame your Insta posts.

    Location: 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia

    Phone: +61 (0)3 8620 2222

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  • 5

    St Kilda Foreshore

    Shoot the golden hour glow

    St Kilda Foreshore
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    St Kilda foreshore is a popular beach, sprigged with palm trees, just a short distance from Melbourne's city centre. Line up your phone to snap Insta-worthy shots of the beach, historic St Kilda pier and the skyline twinkling in the distance.

    Sunsets are stunning but can be busy, so plan to head out first thing to capture the peach-pink ‘golden hour’ glow of early morning, when the light is soft, to get the best shots over the sandy beach with the waves lapping at the shore.

    Location: St Kilda Foreshore, VIC, Australia

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  • 6

    Royal Exhibition Building

    Beauty by Day or Night

    Royal Exhibition Building
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    The Royal Exhibition Building, ringed by the Carlton Gardens, is a rich feast for the ‘gram, offering up a grand hall, stunning gardens and rich history to capture. Tag historic architecture hashtags to get the most likes for this impressive example of 19th-century architecture and design.

    On a sunny day, the grand hall with its intricate detailing and colorful stained-glass windows, provides a stunning backdrop for photos. By night, try a slow shutter speed to capture the beauty of the illuminated fountains.

    Location: -37.80467612579942, 144.9716753088438

    Phone: +61 (0)3 9270 5000

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  • 7

    Brighton Beach Boxes

    Plan a Beach Day Photo Shoot

    Brighton Beach Boxes
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    The Brighton Beach Boxes on Dendy Street Beach at Port Phillip Bay are one of Melbourne's most iconic images. Built in the 1920s the 82 restored bathing boxes are now painted in a variety of eye-catching colors and designs. Surrounded by a stunning natural landscape of white sand and clear blue waters, it’s hard to take a bad shot here!

    Visit at ‘magic hour’ just before sunset or after sunrise to get glowing colors and soft light or make a day of it and shoot at different times of the day to capture the different effects of light and shadow, as there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby.

    Location: Malecon, Brighton VIC 3186, Australia

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  • 8

    State Library of Victoria

    Hashtag Iconic

    State Library of Victoria
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    The State Library of Victoria is in the heart of the city and is one of Australia's oldest cultural institutions, making it an ideal spot for history and architecture hashtags. Go to the upper levels to get the best photographs looking down over the reading room desks spread out in a sunray pattern.

    Inside the library, you will find a treasure trove of rare books, manuscripts and artifacts. Don’t forget to explore the lush green gardens and grounds dotted with statues and sculptures to fully capture this historic spot.

    Location: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

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  • 9

    Princes Pier

    Plan a sunset shoot

    Princes Pier
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    Princes Pier in Port Melbourne, at the end of the historic Bay Trail, makes a terrific location for Instagrammers to capture views over the skyline, restored pier and wooden utility poles. Make it your last stop after a scenic walk or bike ride.

    Day or night, the pier offers gorgeous views over the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel and towering skyscrapers of the CBD, but the must-get shot is sunset over the wooden utility poles and water; it’s stunning and done right will be one of your most-liked posts!

    Location: Pier St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207, Australia

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  • 10

    Great Ocean Road

    See the last Apostles

    Great Ocean Road
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    The Great Ocean Road stretches for over 180 miles along the rugged coastline of Victoria making for a photogenic road trip from Melbourne. The road offers unspoiled views of the Southern Ocean, towering cliffs and beautiful orange-sand beaches.

    The Great Ocean Road is home to some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, including the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the London Arch. Make it an early visit to capture the last remaining Apostles fighting the natural erosion of the waves as the sun rises. Hashtag epic!