Arts Centre Melbourne, Performing arts center in Southbank, Australia
Arts Centre Melbourne is a performing arts center on the Yarra River in Southbank, housing several halls beneath a tall copper-clad spire. The venue spreads over multiple levels, with underground stages and an open promenade along the water.
Architect Roy Grounds designed the complex in the 1960s, and construction began in 1973. The opening took place in 1984 after more than a decade of building work.
The name reflects its role as a home for stage arts in Melbourne, and visitors today see rehearsals, public performances, and rotating displays in the foyer. The collection includes costumes, set pieces, and playbills from over a century of Australian performance history.
Guided tours run daily and cover public areas and theater halls, with expanded backstage routes available on Sundays. Entry to foyer areas is free and allows visitors to walk through without a ticket.
The copper spire weighs about 90 tons (82 metric tons) and serves as a landmark along the riverfront, visible from large parts of the city. The underground layout uses natural cooling from the earth and reduces energy demand for air conditioning considerably.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
