Hiking in Golden Mile Heritage Trail

Discover the architectural splendour of Melbourne's golden heritage on this journey from founder John Batman's alleged landing spot on the Yarra River to the seat of Australia's First Parliament. Treat yourself to a leisurely morning or afternoon tea, dinner or an overnight stay in one of the city's grand hotels.

Length: 4 kilometres
Walk: 2 hours
Track: Good
Grade: Undulating
Start: Federation Square, but can be walked in the opposite direction from the Melbourne Museum, or anywhere in-between.

Melbourne is a city built on gold – the incredible wealth generated by the gold strikes of the 1850s and 1880s has left a stunning architectural legacy known as the ‘Golden Mile’. Extending along Collins Street and beyond, the trail’s highlights include the elaborate Gothic interiors of huge domed banking chambers, opulent European-style hotels and the young colony’s most important political buildings – Parliament House, the Town Hall and the Old Treasury (now housing the Gold Treasury Museum).

Visit the buildings where well-heeled Melburnians spent their leisure time in the nineteenth century, in ornate theatres, elegant churches and genteel arcades with their murals, mosaics and lavish decorations. Wander through Chinatown and discover hidden treasures tucked away down narrow laneways.

Enjoy a picnic in the Carlton Gardens, home of the recently restored Royal Exhibition Building (the site in 1901 of the first Australian Parliament), adjacent to the Melbourne Museum.

Further Information
City of Melbourne
Ph +61 3 9658 9658