Street Art in Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city, is renowned for its vibrant and diverse street art culture. From its early beginnings in the 1980s, Melbourne’s street art scene has grown to become one of the largest and most diverse in the world, with over 1,000 outdoor murals and pieces of street art dotted throughout the city’s streets, laneways and parks.

Why is Melbourne’s Street Art so good?

One of the reasons Melbourne is an excellent city to see street art is its abundance of public spaces that have been designated as legal walls for street artists to create on. The city’s council has embraced street art as a form of public art and has established a number of initiatives to support and promote it. The result is that street art has become an integral part of the city’s cultural fabric, contributing to its unique character and sense of place.

Another reason Melbourne is a great city for street art is its commitment to promoting and preserving street art. The city’s council and local businesses have made a concerted effort to protect and conserve street art, both for its cultural significance and for the economic benefits it brings to the city. Many of the city’s street art tours and events focus on showcasing the works of both established and up-and-coming street artists.

One of the most notable examples of Melbourne’s commitment to preserving street art is the city’s laneway art program, which was established in the early 2000s. The program involves the commissioning of street artists to create murals on the walls of the city’s laneways, transforming these once-neglected spaces into vibrant and colorful public art galleries. Many of the city’s laneways are now famous tourist attractions, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to see the latest street art creations.

In addition to its abundance of public spaces and commitment to promoting and preserving street art, Melbourne is also known for its diverse and eclectic street art styles. From large-scale murals to small stenciled pieces, the city’s street art reflects the diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives of its artists. This makes Melbourne a unique and exciting destination for those interested in street art, as there is always something new and surprising to discover.

Another reason Melbourne is an excellent city to see street art is its thriving street art community. The city is home to a large and active community of street artists, including some of the world’s most talented and innovative artists. The community is known for its supportive and collaborative nature, and its members regularly participate in street art festivals and events, sharing their skills and perspectives with each other and with the wider public.

Why I love Melbourne Street Art

One of my favourite pasttimes is to look at Street Art in different cities. I enjoy it for several reasons. 1. It’s a good excuse to go for a walk outdoors. 2. It’s costs absolutely nothing. Free is the magic word! 3. Street Art is forever changing so you can go several times in the one year to the same place and you will see new art. 4. I love seeing creativity and artistic expression that has been freely created with little restrictions. 5. It is great to be wandering and happen upon a piece of Street Art that you have never discovered before. 6. It is a way of culturally immersing yourself in a city at street level. You gain a deeper understanding of the city’s people, traditions and values. 7. The Street Art makes great pics for your social media to share with friends and family.

I particularly love visiting Melbourne’s Street Art. It is one of the great things about Melbourne – a city I find to be a creative hub. I have listed just some of the places to experience Melbourne’s Street Art below. There are also many locations in the inner city suburbs that surround the CBD.

Melbourne is an excellent city to see street art for its abundance of public spaces, commitment to promoting and preserving street art, diverse and eclectic street art styles, thriving street art community and world-class street art events. Whether you’re an art lover, a tourist, or just someone looking for a unique and exciting cultural experience, Melbourne is the place to be for street art. So why not visit Melbourne today (or very soon) and discover its vibrant and diverse street art scene for yourself?

Great places to see street art in Melbourne are:

Hosier Lane (CBD)

AC/DC Lane (CBD)

Union Lane (CBD)

Duckboard Place (CBD)

Presgrave Place (CBD)

Caledonian Lane (CBD)

Croft Alley (CBD)

Rankins Lane (CBD)

Meyers Place (CBD)

Around the corner of Spencer & Little Bourke Streets (CBD)

Brunswick Street, Rose Street, Johnston Street (Fitzroy)

Hanover House (Southbank)