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Things to do in Melbourne
Federation Square

Federation Square, Melbourne: Hours, Address, Federation Square Reviews: 4/5

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Federation Square

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Federation Square
4
2,855
#52 of 705 things to do in Melbourne
Art Galleries • Civic Centres
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
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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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
5,438 within 5 kms
Roule Galette Melbourne
567
0.2 km$ • Dessert • French • Cafe
Eau De Vie
801
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Bar • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
The French Brasserie
668
0.4 km$$$$ • French • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Lello
254
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Chocolate Buddha
694
46 m$$ - $$$ • Sushi • Asian • Korean
Straits Cafe Melbourne
261
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • International • Australian • Vegetarian Friendly
Bistrot d'Orsay
474
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • French • Steakhouse • European
Ganache Chocolate
261
0.3 km$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe
Dukes Coffee Roasters
175
0.2 km$ • Quick Bites • Cafe • Australian
Il Solito Posto
953
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
712 within 5 kms
Melbourne Visitor Centre
1,303
53 mVisitor Centres
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
772
0.1 kmSpeciality Museums
ACMI
1,456
87 mSpeciality Museums • Science Museums
St Paul's Cathedral
1,409
96 mHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
Flinders Street Station
1,738
0.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Forum Melbourne
102
0.2 kmTheatres
Hosier Lane
2,011
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
The Ian Potter Museum of Art
53
0.1 kmArt Museums
Melbourne Festival
10
67 mCultural Events
Cathedral Arcade
27
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
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Popular mentions
4.0
2,855 reviews
Excellent
1,174
Very good
1,191
Average
384
Poor
68
Terrible
38
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia7,433 contributions
Centre of the City
May 2021
Federation Square was designed to be a central square for Melbourne, where people could gather for events such as Chinese New Year and other community festivals. Since it opened in 2002, the Square has one a place in the hearts of Melburnians. This large open area of 3.2 ha (8 acres) hosts many facilities such as the NGV Potter Gallery, one of the best collections of Aboriginal art in Australia, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Koorie Heritage Trust, plus many bars and eateries. Federation Square is opposite Flinders St Station, it's very easy to find
Written 9 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia26,387 contributions
Many attractions
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.
AndyJohn74
Melbourne, Australia1,671 contributions
Rather quiet.
Jan. 2021 • Solo
Visited here coming from Flinders Station across the road. A few nice bars and eateries and plenty of seating and cushions around the site. It is bigger than it looks yet a bit quiet in the world of a pandemic.
Written 28 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
WinnonaTrey
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Attractions and bars
Jan. 2021
Lots of good bars and attractions like ACMI and the Ian Potter Gallery. Not great for accessibility with the uneven stone.
Written 14 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kerryn72
Melbourne, Australia2,549 contributions
Very quiet post Covid
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...
Written 12 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
outonadate
Tasmanian1,075 contributions
Not as good as last year
Dec. 2020
Came here for the Xmas tree and decorations as we did last year. this year however I must say I was disappointed. Mainly by the lack of social distancing and the rudeness of the crowds. I had thought with Covid 19 people would be a bit more wary. My son and I had a quick look and then left.
Written 14 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Linda C
Moorpark, CA1,047 contributions
Major city hub!
Feb. 2020
It's prettier in aerial photos than from the ground, but it's smack dab in the center of everything with Flinder's Street, a beautiful cathedral, and the Ian Potter Complex. There are even horse-drawn carriages. You cannot be a first-time visitor to Melbourne without visiting Federation Square.
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia888 contributions
Federation Square
Jun. 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
Written 20 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KarenM1_10
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan715 contributions
Smaller version of Times Square
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.
Way2013
San Diego, CA165 contributions
The Center of Everything
Feb. 2020
This seems to be an area where many tours get together or start from. It is a large square with many shops, train station,tours, etc. We spent some time there, but not knowing much about the area we could not find the proper tour company we were looking for and we had limited time. It would take an entire day to cover everything around the square.
Written 31 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Federation Square
Federation Square is open:
  • Sun - Sat 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Federation Square tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 31 Federation Square tours on Tripadvisor
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