Parliament House

Parliament House in East Melbourne is the seat of the Parliament of Victoria, located on Spring Street at the top of Bourke Street. Completed in stages from 1856, the grand classical building features a colonnaded facade, grand staircase and ornate chambers. It served as Australia's Federal Parliament from 1901 to 1927. Today it is heritage-listed and open to visitors for free guided tours showcasing its architecture, history and parliamentary chambers.

Visitors can expect a grand 19th-century classical building on Spring Street with a colonnaded facade and wide front steps. Inside, free guided tours lead through the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council chambers, the historic Parliamentary Library, corridors and staircases with ornate plasterwork and timber. The setting overlooks Bourke Street and is surrounded by Treasury Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens. Access is via security screening and tours are led by staff who explain the building's architecture and parliamentary functions.

Construction began in 1856 to house the Parliament of the newly formed Colony of Victoria. Built in stages to designs by Peter Kerr and others, it was incomplete but served as the seat of the Federal Parliament of Australia from 1901 to 1927 while Canberra was being established. The building is classified by the National Trust and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register for its historical and architectural importance.

Seat of the Parliament of Victoria and a prominent example of 19th-century civic architecture in Melbourne. The building is a heritage-listed landmark and a focal point of Spring Street, representing Victoria's parliamentary tradition and hosting ceremonial, educational and public tours.