Arts Centre Melbourne Tours
Discover the hidden stories and impressive design of Arts Centre Melbourne with its exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, returning in 2025 bigger and better than ever. Over its 40-year history, Arts Centre Melbourne has hosted some of the biggest names in music, the performing arts and culture as a whole – including Princess Diana, Idina Menzel, Michael Bublé and Luciano Pavarotti. And you can learn some of the tales behind their appearances here.
Begin your journey at Melbourne’s premier orchestral venue Hamer Hall, with its ornate gold and amber interiors. Step inside the grand, cavernous auditorium – home to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra – and discover the elegant Truscott Lounge, as well as the adjoining toilet that was filled with flowers and fancy toiletries for the people’s princess (you’ll also find out why Princess Diana refused to use it).
Then, cross over to the Theatres Building, home to many of Melbourne’s most beloved performance spaces. Explore the building’s opulent foyers and plush auditoriums, where rich reds and muted mauves set the stage for world-class theatre, opera and dance.
Along the way, take in the highlights from the centre’s Public Art Collection, where works by some of Australia’s most prominent artists, including modern abstractionists John Olsen and Roger Kemp, delve into the fascinating relationship between the visual and performing arts. You’ll also gain insight into the exciting Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, a major redevelopment set to shape the future of Melbourne’s cultural landscape.
Each morning tour ticket includes a complimentary tea, coffee, chai or hot chocolate, while afternoon tours come with a drink (non-alc or alc, including house wine, beer or spirits).
Whether you’re a theatre lover, architecture enthusiast, history buff or simply curious about the magic behind the curtain, this is a rare chance for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Melbourne’s most iconic arts institutions.
Morning tours start at 11am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 10am on Saturdays. The afternoon tour runs from 4pm on Fridays.
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Arts Centre Melbourne.
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