Free self-guided walk · Melbourne

Laneways and arcades

A free self-guided walk through Melbourne's centre, from Flinders Street Station through Degraves Street, the Block Arcade and Hosier Lane to Federation Square.

Distance
1.5 km
Walking time
20 min
Allow
About 2 hours with stops
Stops
6

Open the route in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)Melbourne city guide

About this walk

This walk threads through Melbourne's famous laneways and Victorian arcades.

Stop for coffee on the way: that's the point.

  • Terrain: Flat and paved.
  • Best time: Weekday late morning, when the cafés are open.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Flinders Street Station

    Start at the station's clocks.

  2. Degraves Street

    A laneway of cafés.

  3. Block Arcade

    The Victorian mosaic-floored arcade.

  4. Royal Arcade

    Melbourne's oldest arcade.

  5. Hosier Lane

    The street-art laneway.

  6. Federation Square

    Finish in the cultural square.

Tips

  • Trams in the centre are free.
  • Hosier Lane's art changes constantly.
  • Carry a layer; the weather changes fast.

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.