Royal Exhibition Building

The Royal Exhibition Building is a neoclassical exhibition hall in Carlton, a neighborhood of Melbourne, that stands within Carlton Gardens and appears on both national and regional heritage lists. The structure displays columns, decorated cornices, and a central dome that rises above the surrounding treetops.

Joseph Reed designed the building in 1879 for an international exhibition intended to present Melbourne as a rising metropolis of the southern hemisphere. Later the hall housed the first federal parliament of Australia before it moved to Canberra.

The name carries a royal prefix that reflects the connection to the British Crown during the colonial period of the nineteenth century. Today people gather under the dome for public events and experience the same hall that once hosted hundreds of exhibiting nations.

Visitors enter the building through several entrances, with the main access most visible from Carlton Gardens. On event days waiting times may occur, so it is advisable to check current usage times before a visit.

The dome appears smaller from the outside than it actually is because the surrounding masonry conceals the proportions. Inside the space opens beneath the vault and reveals the actual height, which surprises many visitors.

Location: City of Melbourne

Inception: 1879

Architects: Joseph Reed

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Part of: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

Address: 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton VIC 3053

Website: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/reb

GPS coordinates: -37.80472,144.97139

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:25