Fed Square
Fed Square
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The cultural heart of Melbourne, pulsing and beating every day with colourful, vibrant, intriguing events, festivals, screenings and more. There’s a reason Fed Square (as the locals call it) hosts over 2000 events and 8 million visitors a year – whether it’s a hectic and bustling cultural food festival, a relaxing cinematic screening, a vibrant and inspirational art installation or a thrilling live performance, Fed Square constantly proves and proves again why Melburnians call it the heart of their city. Major popular attractions include the exhilarating and fascinating art at the Ian Potter Centre, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne's limited edition reproduction of the famous "Fearless Girl" and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). Whatever your interests, there’s something for you at Fed Square. Swing by at any time, or check out fedsquare.com/events to plan ahead.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- Borntraveller55Ahmedabad, India172 contributionsGreat place to spend time in Downtown MelbourneThe square has a lot of space and museums and restaurants around. Neat and clean toilets and change rooms are also available. Melbourne Tourist Guides are also there to guide you. Ample space to sit and take a bite and look around..Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 October 2023
- LeannieHanoi, Vietnam2,488 contributionsSuch a disappointing Christmas film showingWe came here during the Christmas festivities as it had advertised they were playing a Christmas movie every evening. I honestly do not think it was very well planned out or executed at all. The movies started at 5pm and were projected onto a building weet facing so needless ro say it was very hot and you were staring into the direction of the sun. There were a very small amount of deck chairs available which went quickly, your alternatives were to sit on the ground in the middle of fed square with zero shade and squint up or cling to the small amounts of shade around the square where you then would not hear any of the film. So disappointingVisited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 31 December 2023
- smiler1956Birmingham, United Kingdom602 contributionsVisitVisited Federation Square initially to visit the National Art Gallery extension. Very interesting display of cultural art and well worth a visit. The square itself is full of wonderful eateries, and shops. Whilst we were there they also had an African food and craft market, where we enjoyed some very tasty food. At night the Christmas display was amazing.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 February 2024
- Silvana J62 contributionsMABU MABU RESTAURANTWent with my friend from Croatia to Big Esso by Mabu Mabu restaurant on Fed Square, because she wants to try Aboriginal cuisine. Our experience was amazing and very unique. Great staff and customer service. The bar and kitchen restaurant are friendly, with inside and outside seating. The food was very tasty, just perfect, and different, with all the native ingredients. We tried some soft natural drinks, with local, native ingredients too.Visited February 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 5 March 2024
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
2,882 reviews
Excellent
1,182
Very good
1,201
Average
389
Poor
70
Terrible
40
Ivan V
Melbourne, Australia1,213 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Into The Wild Cartier
Panthere ade Cartier
There is currently a superb little exhibition on Cartier and the Panther theme showing in the courtyard at Federation Square. There are some exquisite pieces of jewellery on display and some fabulous photographs of Cartier’s creations. It reveals the history of the Cartier And is well worth a visit to before moves on.
Panthere ade Cartier
There is currently a superb little exhibition on Cartier and the Panther theme showing in the courtyard at Federation Square. There are some exquisite pieces of jewellery on display and some fabulous photographs of Cartier’s creations. It reveals the history of the Cartier And is well worth a visit to before moves on.
Written 9 March 2020
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, Australia13,594 contributions
Mar 2020
In days gone by, the Gas and Fuel Corporation had two ugly buildings of brown brick occupying the site which is now Federation Square . Following their demolition, it was decided that Melbourne should have a civic space. The Square is 3.2 hectares (8 acres) , It was created in tones of brown and ochre to honour the Wurungeri people who once hunted here and fished in the Yarra River. The trouble was, no one particularly likes Federation Square. The NGV Potter Gallery has a marvellous collection of Australian Modernist painters and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) shows classic movies. The Koorie Heritage Trust is informative and there are any number of restaurants and bars which are popular, such as the Taxi Kitchen. Federation Square iis like a distant relative that has come to visit, but you can't get rid of.him.
Written 10 March 2020
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.
Ben
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
Sept 2022
Not sure how this has got such a high there are so many issues with this space.
So it's a big huge grey eye sore, much like the city of Melbourne itself so in that sense it's met it's goals.
The architecture looks like someone cut out random shapes from a piece of cupboard and glued them all together haphazardly and voila Fed Square. There's no theme, there's no rhyme, there's no reason.
It's a poor attempt at abstract art in the flesh and we've been living with the embarrassing consequences ever since.
In a city with variable weather and lots of rain, the only undercover bits of walkways.
Wind tunnels.
No shade.
The design and look and colors are just horrendous full stop ok.
It's taken me 20 years to figure out that the NGV is there and not in Carlton gardens.
They were going for Paris vibes or something but it's just a literal aesthetic joke.
The TV screen, public facilities and ability to mobilize, meet, sit, enjoy views or even have a kick of the footy all below average or non-existent.
Like 10 people can gather there if the soccer is on.
FFS FIX THE BLOOD FLOORING.
A mixed used multiple space with a below average gallery, a 7-11, a crap TV screen and some toilets hidden somewhere - That's what we as Australians are communicating to the guests in this state when they first arrive here and see that. Just horrendous.
Likes:
I like the name, at least.
It's still a public space for public use, fully expecting Chairman Dan's posters and government messages to start echoing out of the speakers soon and driving the 10 people trying to chill there out via insanity.
Multiple access points everywhere front and back, so you can get in and out easily.
There are some chairs to sit down and wifi, can see a good view of Flinders and Southbank while sitting.
It's the meeting place we don't deserve but we get and have been struck with for 20 years plus, I mean it's better than the nothingness than was there before (just) but as someone that lives in the city the constant second hand embarrassment that this empty grey oddly shaped window tunnel is a thing and we actually think it's 'good' is truly humiliating.
We can do so much better, and we need to. #rebuildredsquare
So it's a big huge grey eye sore, much like the city of Melbourne itself so in that sense it's met it's goals.
The architecture looks like someone cut out random shapes from a piece of cupboard and glued them all together haphazardly and voila Fed Square. There's no theme, there's no rhyme, there's no reason.
It's a poor attempt at abstract art in the flesh and we've been living with the embarrassing consequences ever since.
In a city with variable weather and lots of rain, the only undercover bits of walkways.
Wind tunnels.
No shade.
The design and look and colors are just horrendous full stop ok.
It's taken me 20 years to figure out that the NGV is there and not in Carlton gardens.
They were going for Paris vibes or something but it's just a literal aesthetic joke.
The TV screen, public facilities and ability to mobilize, meet, sit, enjoy views or even have a kick of the footy all below average or non-existent.
Like 10 people can gather there if the soccer is on.
FFS FIX THE BLOOD FLOORING.
A mixed used multiple space with a below average gallery, a 7-11, a crap TV screen and some toilets hidden somewhere - That's what we as Australians are communicating to the guests in this state when they first arrive here and see that. Just horrendous.
Likes:
I like the name, at least.
It's still a public space for public use, fully expecting Chairman Dan's posters and government messages to start echoing out of the speakers soon and driving the 10 people trying to chill there out via insanity.
Multiple access points everywhere front and back, so you can get in and out easily.
There are some chairs to sit down and wifi, can see a good view of Flinders and Southbank while sitting.
It's the meeting place we don't deserve but we get and have been struck with for 20 years plus, I mean it's better than the nothingness than was there before (just) but as someone that lives in the city the constant second hand embarrassment that this empty grey oddly shaped window tunnel is a thing and we actually think it's 'good' is truly humiliating.
We can do so much better, and we need to. #rebuildredsquare
Written 29 September 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.
Thanks for your feedback – although we're sorry to hear that you are not a fan of Fed Square.
If you're interested in learning more about the design and history of Fed Square, you can watch a short documentary where one of our original architects, Don Bates, talks about the design and what the design set out to achieve. Check out YouTube for 'A Short Film with Don Bates | 20th Anniversary'. He mentions in the video that the Transport building was actually not part of the original design, but was specifically built to prevent the rushing winds up the Yarra, so the Square is somewhat protected.
In 2019, Fed Square was formally listed in the Victorian Heritage Register, in recognition of its important status as a public space and for its historical, cultural, aesthetic, technological and social significance to Victoria.
Recently, we hosted public screenings of the Socceroos FIFA World Cup matches, attracting thousands of fans to gather to support their team. As a public square, we often do hold public screenings of significant matches and game so the public can gather to watch and cheer – including the Australian Open, the AFL grand final, the Olympics and other important events.
We also usually set out deckchairs and umbrellas so people can relax under some shaded areas, in the main part of the square.
If you're interested in finding out what goes on at Fed Square, you can always check our What's On events page on our website.
Written 1 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,293 contributions
June 2020
Due to corona virus and the building of the Metro Tunnel Federation Square is closed to all events but still open to walking or sitting down.. The Australian Centre for Moving Image is closed for renovations, the Ian Potter NGV Australia is closed due to corona and the Koorie Heritage Trust closed also due to corona. Easing of restrictions the bars are now open. The Fearless Girl statue is in front of the Hop Bar and Garden. The Koorie Heritage Trust previously was in King Street and is the only public collection in Victoria dedicated solely to Koorie art and culture comprising artefacts,pictures and photographs, as well as a Oral History Program and Reference Library.
Once Corona is finished it will get back to its usual events as every week there is usually something on
Once Corona is finished it will get back to its usual events as every week there is usually something on
Written 20 June 2020
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.
K72
Melbourne, Australia3,082 contributions
Jan 2021
Wow, a Tuesday in January- sunny day and Fed Square was deserted. Like a ghost town! Post Covid, was surprised at how empty it was today. Ususally Fed Square is bustling. Not many of the restaurants/cafes were open today... possibly at night or on weekends in these crazy times. There's construction work going on at the front and ACMI hasnt yet re-opened...sign says Feb 11th.
The Ian Potter Museum was open and free to visit...
The Ian Potter Museum was open and free to visit...
Written 12 January 2021
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, Australia13,594 contributions
Sept 2022
Federation Square comes alive on New Year's Eve and Moomba, Melbourne's very own festival of fun. Otherwise, it can sometimes seem a bit dead. It does, however, have a number of important cultural institutions, such as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and the National Gallery of Victoria's Potter Gallery, which specializes in Australian art. It has one of the world's best collections of Aboriginal art. There are also several eateries scattered around the Square.
Written 18 September 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.
Thanks for the review!
We recommend people checking out our What's On section of our website before they plan their trip to Fed Square, if they're interested in timing their trip during a major event or festival. Fed Square has the capacity to have major events and host large crowds for big cultural moments and sporting matches, but these don't happen every day.
You can also sign up for our What's On e-news to keep up-to-date with what's happening in the Square, via our website.
Thanks!
Written 1 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Herman
Armidale, Australia479 contributions
Jan 2023
Just wandered around with two of my teenage sons just soaking up the atmosphere - very arty and with people sprawled out watching the Aussie tennis open on the big screen it did give it some extra buzz. Beautiful modern architecture, and just a totally cool place to be, surrounded with 1800s historic architecture as well. The gallery had an ongoing exhibition and all the walkways are air-conditioned! So much to see if you want.
Written 22 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.
Thanks Paul for your great review. Summer is a great time to come to Fed Square to catch the action from the Australian Open on the Big Screen, as well as visit ACMI, The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and the Koorie Heritage Trust, with their daily free exhibitions. Glad you and your son had a fantastic time soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying all that's on at Fed Square.
Written 1 February 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Apr 2021
We love going to Federation Square. It is like a point of reference. It's a place where people congregate. It's a spot for shows. There you feel as if you are at the centre of what is amazing in the city, and from there you can follow the trail to other places which are just as good. There are cafes, restaurants, museums, theatres, galleries, shops, and many other interesting sights. And just across the road is the famous Flinders station. Not to be missed.
Written 2 May 2021
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, Australia13,594 contributions
Aug 2023
Fed Square, as the locals call it, is the crossroads of Melbourne. There are many eateries and features that appeal to visitors such as the NGV Potter Gallery, which has one of the best collections of modern Australian art, and the Australian Center for the Moving Image (ACMI), which is devoted to screen culture. Fed Sqaure is a great place to be when the city is in celebratory mode, such as New Year's Eve. By the way, Fed Square is not exactly square, which adds interest.
Written 26 August 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.
KarenM1_10
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan1,043 contributions
Jan 2020
This area is very popular with tourists and locals. There are a number of restaurants in this area and is also the main area where many day tours depart and end. The City Circle Tram makes a stop here as well and there are a number of attractions in this area.
Written 11 April 2020
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.
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