Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
4
About
MCEC is Melbourne’s home for extraordinary events and experiences. We host more than 1,000 events each year, each one like no other. We have beautiful spaces, innovative menus and the best people in the business. Discover the difference at MCEC
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- TravellerMelbourne, Australia15,743 contributionsMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMy wife and I visited this place to see the Exhibition called "Monet and Friends" at The Lume, which is located at the far end corner of the Exhibition Centre, near the Factory Outlets. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is a very large building. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. It is an excellent infrastructure asset for Melbourne to have.Visited January 2023Written 27 January 2023
- Kufunda10 contributionsA memorable ConventionI attended the Rotary International Convention and returned with memories of a wonderful networking experience. The place is well-suited for large conferences, clean, clean, with a tram system that takes you to the front of the complex. At no time did I feel lost because of the clear signage. The Exhibition Hall area was well laid out, and a helpful IT support system supported the breakaway rooms. During the breaks, restaurants are nearby, and one can walk along the Yarra River bank with its backdrop of the city and splendid architecture. Well worth the visit!Visited May 2023Travelled on businessWritten 2 July 2023
- Debadrita M GMelbourne, Australia4 contributionsMCEC - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CenterMCEC - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center. This is a massive infrastructure, organizes public events and Exhibitions. All sorts of corporate events, celebrity events are taken place. My husband and I enjoyed Shreya Ghoshal's show there. Huge centre right on the Yarra River it is well served by public transport and is just across the river from the CBD.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 July 2023
- TravellerMelbourne, Australia15,743 contributionsBBC Studios Seven Worlds, One PlanetMy wife and I visited this place to attend the following exhibition: Quote from their website: "Travel the natural world and journey across the seven continents in one epic experience narrated by David Attenborough. This immersive exhibition brings together state of the art audio visual technology and breathtaking footage from BBC Studios Seven Worlds, One Planet on an unrivalled scale. The BBC EARTH EXPERIENCE is not to be missed." The show was spectacular. Melbourne is the first city outside of the UK to host this Exhibition, so it was a privilege to be able to attend, albeit by paying an entry fee.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 November 2023
- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,814 contributionsGood for trade shows and exhibitionsMelbourne Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) is suited to trade shows and other exhibitions. It is a big area, which can accommodate a large number of exhibitors. The MCEC is adjacent to the Crown Entertainment complex. The tram stops outside the MCEC complex.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 22 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
373 reviews
Excellent
153
Very good
157
Average
46
Poor
11
Terrible
6
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,814 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Friends
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center (MCEC) is suited to trade shows and other exhibitions. It is a big area, which can accommodate a large number of exhibitors. The MCEC is adjacent to the Crown Entertainment complex. The tram stops outside the MCEC complex.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia15,743 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Couples
My wife and I visited this place to attend the following exhibition:
Quote from their website:
"Travel the natural world and journey across the seven continents in one epic experience narrated by David Attenborough. This immersive exhibition brings together state of the art audio visual technology and breathtaking footage from BBC Studios Seven Worlds, One Planet on an unrivalled scale. The BBC EARTH EXPERIENCE is not to be missed."
The show was spectacular. Melbourne is the first city outside of the UK to host this Exhibition, so it was a privilege to be able to attend, albeit by paying an entry fee.
Quote from their website:
"Travel the natural world and journey across the seven continents in one epic experience narrated by David Attenborough. This immersive exhibition brings together state of the art audio visual technology and breathtaking footage from BBC Studios Seven Worlds, One Planet on an unrivalled scale. The BBC EARTH EXPERIENCE is not to be missed."
The show was spectacular. Melbourne is the first city outside of the UK to host this Exhibition, so it was a privilege to be able to attend, albeit by paying an entry fee.
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Folkestone, UK145 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Family
Brilliant venue. We visited the BBC Earth with David Attenborough. It was amazing, as BBC Wildlife filming always is. Exceptional.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debadrita M G
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
MCEC - Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center. This is a massive infrastructure, organizes public events and Exhibitions. All sorts of corporate events, celebrity events are taken place. My husband and I enjoyed Shreya Ghoshal's show there. Huge centre right on the Yarra River it is well served by public transport and is just across the river from the CBD.
Written 6 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kufunda
10 contributions
May 2023 • Business
I attended the Rotary International Convention and returned with memories of a wonderful networking experience. The place is well-suited for large conferences, clean, clean, with a tram system that takes you to the front of the complex. At no time did I feel lost because of the clear signage. The Exhibition Hall area was well laid out, and a helpful IT support system supported the breakaway rooms. During the breaks, restaurants are nearby, and one can walk along the Yarra River bank with its backdrop of the city and splendid architecture. Well worth the visit!
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy Z
Antwerp Province, Belgium133 contributions
May 2023 • Business
Was here for a scientific conference. Nice rooms, good infrastructure, friendly staff, an excellent lunches.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller
Melbourne, Australia15,743 contributions
Jan. 2023
My wife and I visited this place to see the Exhibition called "Monet and Friends" at The Lume, which is located at the far end corner of the Exhibition Centre, near the Factory Outlets.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is a very large building. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. It is an excellent infrastructure asset for Melbourne to have.
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre is a very large building. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. It is an excellent infrastructure asset for Melbourne to have.
Written 27 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,814 contributions
Oct. 2022
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) is an impressive space devoted to exhibitions and public events. The building is massive, it can handle all sorts of shows. MCEC is easily accessible by public transport. It has made Melbourne a more interesting place for visitors and residents alike. By the way, the distinctive architecture, reminiscent of modernist Soviet era public buildings, helps the MCEC stand out.
Written 17 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony W
Sydney, Australia4,636 contributions
Jul. 2022
This centre being custom built for large events certainly can provide a great show for exhibitions and the people attending. Huge centre right on the Yarra River it is well served by public transport and is just across the river from the CBD.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary H
1 contribution
Jun. 2022
Very stressful using the convention centre carpark for the children's disability expo. Limited disabled parking. Steep hill and sharp turns. Ended up on the base of the pole when trying to do a sharp turn. $36.45 for 3 hours even though we used the convention centre no discounts. Won't be back. Mary
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Mary, we are sorry to hear you've had a negative experience. MCEC car park rates are independently controlled & managed by Wilson Parking. You can also contact management directly at: wmel@wilsonparking.com.au or +61 3 9224 0301 for further feedback.
Written 27 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi,
I was just wondering what the seat sizing is like and if the arms go up? I am hoping to see an event there next month but due to arthritis in my hips I have to have certain seating.
Thanks for your help.
Tony W
Sydney, Australia4,636 contributions
Hi,
Unfortunately I cannot answer your question - the exhibition I attended at the centre was a trade show and the only seating was at the kiosk.
TrailsOfAnne
Singapore, Singapore4,724 contributions
Are there any restaurants in the evening near to the convention centre? We are trying not to go too far from the pan pacific or novotel
CuriousMeMelbourne
Melbourne48 contributions
Hi there. In the plenary how many rows are in Tiered4? Is row W too far back tosee anything?
Thx so much
Kathy-maree59
Ettalong Beach, New South Wales, Australia17 contributions
I found the tiered seating easy to view all areas i am not 100% where the row you are asking is.
Jessicas
Jakarta, Indonesia118 contributions
I will have an event in this place later on this August. Can anybody give me suggestion on where can I stay that is close to this place that is reasonable price other than novotel or Pan Pacific hotel? I prefer service apartment that is walking distance. And maybe a good restaurant or things to do around this area. Info about airport service is very welcome... thank you
Darrin S
Cranbourne, Australia63 contributions
Yes the pan Pacific we found better good rooms good service and close to everything u would love it Jessica. The south wharf dfo is beautiful .lots to see .not sure airport services as we live in melbourne vic
Molly C
Melbourne, Australia358 contributions
Hi, i am thinking of seeing KD Lang here in July 2017 but at present the only available seats that I can afford are Balconly 2 & 3 and Balcony 7 & 8 which on the website look like they are right up the back of the hall and on the side.
These seats are $141 each but I really do not want to spend that much if I am right up the back and its only going to be a "spec" I can see on the stage.
Has anyone else been to a music concert here and had to sit right up the back in the balcony area.
I'm guessing the sound quality would be good but just not the viewing part of it up the back.
Thanks
AALtravelbuddy
Portarlington, Australia284 contributions
I have been to a play there and it was awful. You can only see the stage from the big Rv screens, so it is definitely not worth spending that sort of money for distant seats. The only seats worth having are up close.
Aimee B
Ascot30 contributions
Hi, in the Flat Floor Seating section, which rows are best? Is the front row too close to the stage to be able to get a comfortable view (do you need to twist your neck up at the stage to see?).
Is veiwing still comfortable from the back row of the Flat Floor Seating? I'm just wondering how high the stage is and if the people infront would block out a lot of the view.
Thanks in advance :)
MCEC
Melbourne, Australia
Hi Aimee,
It depends entirely on your preferred viewing experience and the type of production you are seeing.
On average, the best sound and sight lines are from around Gala Seating Rows D-G (normally in front of the sound desk), however this means you might not get that "Oooh I can almost touch them" experience that a lot of people like when they are sitting closer to the stage and performer/s.
The best seating selection is entirely dependent on what type of production you are seeing – For example, if you are watching a ballet its difficult to see the dancers footwork if you are sitting closer to the stage in the Flat Floor section. Many people often prefer the Gala Seating or further back for these types of shows.
On average, the stage is set to 1 metre high, so generally (depending on your height) you will be looking up if you are sitting in the front row. The view from the back row of Flat Floor Seating is good but like any Flat Floor seat you run the risk of getting a "big head" sitting in front of you that you can’t see over. The benefit of a seat in the Gala Section is that they are elevated, so you give yourself a better chance of seeing the stage.
We hope this helps guide you a little in your seating choice!
Kind regards,
MCEC
Claris1292
Metro Manila, Philippines
Is public transportation (such as bus) available going to Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre?
I would like to see Mrs Brown's boys however there isn't much information on what seating is like at this venue. Can anyone shed some light and provide some feedback ie any bad seats? Thank you.
ChezmossAustralia
Gisborne, Australia546 contributions
Hi Kat, I don't think there would be any bad seating, but last preference for me would be flat seating at front... First preference is first area of tiered seating...have a look at a seating plan. There are no obstructions to viewing the stage. This is a magnificent theatre...pretty big... Only reasoning on flat seating..get a big head on front of you..Grrrr!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
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