Parliament House of Victoria, Melbourne

Parliament House of Victoria, Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital of the Australian state of Victoria, and the center of its government is at the Parliament House. Here the 128 members of the Parliament of Victoria meet. It is a bicameral body, with an 88 member Legislative Assembly (Lower House) and a 40 member Legislative Council (Upper House).

The building was created in stages between 1856 and 1929. The first items built were the chambers for the Victorian Legislative Assembly and Council to meet. The library and eastern wing followed, and then the Queen's Hall. Ever since the building's first drawings, a decorative dome has been called for, but this feature was never added.

For 26 years, beginning in 1901, this building was the first home of Australia's Federal Government. The Australian Constitution laid out a new capital city, which would become Canberra, but it did not exist yet. So the new Commonwealth's government sat here, while the Victorian state government used the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Melbourne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Parliament House of Victoria on Map

Sight Name: Parliament House of Victoria
Sight Location: Melbourne, Australia (See walking tours in Melbourne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Melbourne, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Melbourne

Create Your Own Walk in Melbourne

Creating your own self-guided walk in Melbourne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Melbourne Introduction Walking Tour

Melbourne Introduction Walking Tour

Melbourne is the capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria. The metro area consists of 31 different towns spread around the bay of Port Philip. Indigenous Australians have lived here for more than 40,000 years. European settlement began in the 1830s when settlers arrived from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). The settlement, incorporated in 1837, was named for the British Prime...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Melbourne Food Tour

Melbourne Food Tour

Relatively small compared to the likes of New York City or London, Melbourne is quite big when it comes to food – standing tall among major international culinary destinations. The influence of multiple waves of immigration from Europe and Southeast Asia has rendered this Australian city's gastronomic landscape insanely varied and opulent.

Indeed, the local food scene caters to a wide...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Laneways and Arcades Walking Tour

Laneways and Arcades Walking Tour

With over 40 laneways and arcades found in Melbourne, one can easily traverse a good part of the city's Central Business District through them, without even setting foot on a street. Many of these laneways date back to the Victorian era and are packed to the brim with all sorts of retail establishments and eateries – each with its own distinctive character and charm.

One of the most...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Melbourne's architecture is a rich cocktail of styles ranging from those practiced in the early years of European settlement of Australia to the more modern ones. Among the historical buildings particularly noticeable here are those from the Victorian era, forming an essential part of the city's heritage.

The Old Melbourne Gaol once served as a prison, from 1842 to 1929, and is...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
St. Kilda District Walking Tour

St. Kilda District Walking Tour

A cosmopolitan seaside suburb of Melbourne overlooking Port Phillip Bay, Saint Kilda District is a charming and culturally rich neighborhood graced with a blend of historical landmarks and contemporary attractions.

One of its prominent sites is the Saint Kilda Town Hall, an imposing municipal building that serves as a hub for various community events and gatherings.

Eildon Mansion, another...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

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Chocolate Indulgence Tour of Melbourne

Chocolate Indulgence Tour of Melbourne

Melbourne has a reputation for cafés and fine restaurants, and lately a chocolate fever has taken over the city. This tour takes you through the alleyways and arcades of the city center whilst stopping at selected chocolate indulgence points. Take your senses on a unique experience through six of...