The Arts Centre is located in the middle of Melbourne’s Arts and Entertainment precinct.

Located on St. Kilda Road, in between the National Gallery of Australia (International), Southbank Arts and Leisure precinct and the Yarra River, it’s only minutes away from Federation Square, Flinders Street Station and the Botanical Gardens.

More location information, including a map.

Nope. The Arts Centre is made up of two primary buildings.

The ‘Theatres’ building of the Arts Centre, also known as the ‘building with the spire’, contains the State Theatre, the Playhouse and the Fairfax Studio, as well as the George Adams Gallery, Café Vic and the ANZ Pavillion.

Hamer Hall (formally known as the Melbourne Concert Hall) sits next door, beside the Yarra River.

Both, as well as the lawn in between, the forecourt and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl are part of the Arts Centre.

By train: The Arts Centre is only a five minute stroll away from Flinders Street station.

By tram: All tram lines that travel up or down St. Kilda Road and Swanston Street stop outside the Arts Centre.

By car: While the Arts Centre is on St. Kilda Road, city traffic means it’s probably safer, quicker and easier to take Alexandra Avenue, Sturt Street or City Road, depending on where you’re coming from.

Absolutely. The Arts Centre has its own 850 space undercover carpark. The entry is accessible via Sturt and Kavanagh Streets, just off Southbank Boulevard.

The car park fills up quickly on performance evenings, so make sure you arrive early.

Our car park is open 24 hours.

More information on parking including prices.

Other parking alternatives in the area include the Australian Ballet car park, located across the road from the Arts Centre. The entrance is located on Kavanagh St Southbank.

A large car park also operates at Melbourne and Olympic Parks on Swan St Melbourne.

Yes, you can. A space can be reserved for a pre-paid fee. This must be paid in advance, though, and should be booked with enough time to have your parking ticket mailed to you.

For more information, call the car park on (03) 9281 8012.

We certainly do. Our valet parking service is a convenient, economical way of arriving in style.

More information on Parking.

Our car park has several designated disabled spaces. These cannot be reserved so, although we have plenty of spaces, it’s best to arrive early. There are a very small number of spaces reserved at Hamer Hall for those with Disability passes. To reserve one, call (03) 9281 8000.

All Arts Centre venues have spaces for both wheelchairs and carers. Remember to ask for these seats at the time of booking.

To obtain further assistance during your visit, let us know you’re coming on (03) 9281 8000.

Uh, no. You’re thinking of the National Gallery. The Arts Centre is Victoria’s premiere performing arts venue. The National Gallery of Victoria, right next door, has the State’s largest collection of classic national and international art.

The Arts Centre does boast an impressive art collection itself, however, with most works having been commissioned for the spaces in which they hang. The majority of these works are on public display in our foyers and exhibition spaces. Take the time to either explore the works for yourself, or to take on of our guided tours.

More information on Guided Tours.

Ticketmaster is the Arts Centre’s exclusive ticketing agency. You can book tickets by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.au, by ringing 1300 136 166, or by heading into your nearest Ticketmaster outlet.

The Arts Centre has its own Ticketmaster outlet, located on level 5 of the Theatres Building. This box office is open from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday for all Arts Centre performances, as well as other Ticketmaster events. It’s also open one hour prior to the commencement of a ticketed performance on Sundays.

Generally, tickets carry a ‘no exchange or refund’ clause, but subscribers to major companies may be eligible for certain exchange privileges. Contact Ticketmaster for clarification.

Café Vic, located on Level 6 (street level) of the Theatres Building is open from 10.30am Monday to Saturday and from 11am on Sundays, and remains open until after the last performance in that building concludes. They serve light meals and cakes throughout the day and for supper, as well as hot meals prior to evening performances. Coffee and a full bar are available all day. More about Café Vic.

EQ Cafébar offers a la carte meals, Monday to Saturday, from 11am until late. Nestled in on the river side of Hamer Hall, EQ is the perfect choice for a contemporary meal before the concert. More about EQ Cafébar.

Each venue also features foyer bars on each level. As well as a selection of quality wines, you can pick up an ice cream, a sandwich or a cup of coffee during interval. You can even pre-order your drinks and snacks to avoid the queues.

Many productions at the Arts Centre, including all Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performances, allow you to bring cold drinks into the theatre with you. Be sure to get a plastic cup from the bar before making your way inside.

If in doubt, ask one of our staff.

Most shows at the Arts Centre sell out, so on a busy night there can be as many as 10,000 people in the Centre.

Be sure to allow enough time to find parking, collect your tickets, cloak your larger items, make your way to the venue, buy a program, order your interval drinks and find your seat.

As a rough guide, try to be at the venue at least half an hour before the advertised starting time. It’s better to be too early and still have time for a drink, than to be late and be locked out of the theatre.

Due to the nature of live entertainment, trying to find your way to your seat once a show has started can seriously disrupt both the audience and the performers on stage.

Most performances have a lockout which restricts anybody from entering the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance. For some productions the lockout can be until interval; for others, the entire show.

The best advice: Arrive early.

There are no age restrictions for entry to most shows at the Arts Centre, with the exception of a few Over-18 shows at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. However, unless the show is a ‘Designated Children’s Performance’, everyone in the auditorium must have a ticket, including a baby on your lap.

Wherever possible, we name a family show a ‘Designated Children’s Performances’, in which any child one year or younger may join their family without a ticket, providing they don’t take up their own seat.

If you want to check whether a particular show is a Designated Children’s Performance, call (03) 9281 8000.

No, we don’t supply them.

When you’re young, there’s nothing worse than not being able to see something that everyone else can. While we don’t supply them, we do let children sit on cushions in our theatres. Just make sure that while you’re boosting, you’re not obstructing the view of the person behind you.

Yes, we provide full changing facilities. Just ask one of our staff to direct you.

Keeping large items with you in the theatre can create enormous problems for anybody trying to get past you on their way to or from their seat. In the dark, this can be a serious safety hazard. We require you to cloak anything bigger than a large handbag. If in doubt, cloak it.

Cloak rooms are available in both the Theatres building and Hamer Hall and are a free service.

Most performances have souvenir programs for sale, which can be purchased from staff in the foyers or in the auditorium. Program sellers take cash only, although programs can be purchased from the car park using credit cards or EFTPOS. An ATM is also available beside the car park cashier.

Certain shows, including musicals, operas and many concerts, have additional merchandise on sale, such as CDs, DVDs, T-shirts, etc.

While you’re welcome to keep your phone with you, it is a requirement of your entry into the theatre that you turn your mobile off completely.

Switching a phone to silent may eliminate sound issues, but the radio frequencies used by your network are the same as are used by our technical equipment, so any phone left on may cause serious problems within the performance.

No, you can’t. All shows you see at the Arts Centre are protected by copyright laws and taking unauthorised still photos, video and audio recordings is a violation of these.

Also, a single flash from the auditorium can be enough to seriously distract a performer which can be a major safety issues.

The days of everybody wearing a top hat and tails to the theatre are gone. These days, it’s about what you think is appropriate. Many people still consider an evening at the theatre to be an event worth dressing up for, so you certainly won’t feel out of place in a suit. However, being comfortable in your jeans and a t-shirt is an equally viable option.

Dress however you’d like!

While it sounds like a basic concept- you clap at the end of a show or the end of a song- you might wonder why some people clap when they do and whether you should join them.

During an opera, people tend to applaud at the end of a scene (when the curtain comes down), or at the end of an impressive aria.

In dance, the applause is more frequent with many audience members choosing to applaud impressive choreography while it’s being performed. Often, a particular dancer might receive a small round of applause when they first enter the stage.

Symphonies are perhaps the trickiest. A piece will seem to have ended, and yet the audience sits quietly. Most pieces are made up of several ‘movements’, in between which the orchestra will wait for a few moments. It’s customary not to applaud until the end of the final movement. If you’re concerned, just follow everybody else’s lead.

Musicals, on the other hand, are likely to leave your hands sore. As well as clapping after each song and at the end of each act, a well-regarded performer might receive applause when they first enter, as might an impressive dance routine or special effect in the middle of a song or scene. The band or orchestra might also be worthy of your applause after the overture or a big musical moment.

Applause is what performers live off and is never unappreciated, so applaud whenever you feel like you should. If you’re worried however, just wait until everybody else claps.

Vision/Hearing aids
A hearing system is available in all Arts Centre venues except BlackBox and ANZ Pavilion. The system utilises an FM signal, providing coverage to all seats in the venues via headphones or neckloops, available from the venue ushers. This system can also be used for guided tours and small meetings at the Centre.

A TTY phone system has been installed to allow direct access to the Centre by phone for people with hearing disabilities. The dedicated number for this service is 03 9281 8441.

The Vision Australia Foundation also offers a free audio description service for selected performances, phone 03 9864 9222 for details.

Melbourne Theatre Company also offers captioning and AUSLAN interpretation of certain performances. For more details contact the Melbourne Theatre Company direct on 03 9684 4500.

Accessible Seating
Accessible seating is available in all Arts Centre venues. Please enquire when making a booking.

Wheelchairs can be booked through the concierge. Please call 9281 8298if you require assistance.

Companion Card
The Companion Card has been developed by the Victorian Network on Recreation and Disability (VICNORD) and admits carers to shows as complimentary guests. The Arts Centre welcomes holders of this card to attend the many events on offer.

For further enquiries please contact the Arts Centre’s Disability Access Manager on 03 9281 8503.

All levels of each venue at the Arts Centre feature multiple exits. In the event of an emergency, follow the advice of staff and walk to your nearest exit.

Call our Safety and Security department, available 24 hours a day, on (03) 9281 8316.

Absolutely! Arts Centre Members get all sorts of discounts, special offers and invitations. Get parking for half price, 2-for-1 guided tours, 15% off at Café Vic and much, much more.

Paid Arts Centre Members even have their own lounge, available for a meal or a drink. More Membership information.

It’s still there, but in 2004 it was renamed Hamer Hall in recognition of Sir Rupert Hamer, former Premier of Victoria, who was responsible for creating the Act that led to the construction of the Arts Centre. He also officially opened the building.

By the very nature of live performance, sometimes a situation arises that necessitates the cancellation of a performance, usually on very short notice. In such cases, Ticketmaster will try to contact as many audience members as possible, with as much notice as is available.

If time permits, notices will also be posted in various media locations.

Details regarding the exchange of your cancelled tickets to another performance or refund will be available from the venue, the presenter and from Ticketmaster.

All companies make every effort to go on with their advertised cast. However, for many reasons, a cast member may occasionally be unable to perform. In most such cases, the cast change will either be announced prior to the commencement of the performance, or will be indicated by cast notices either slipped into programs or distributed at the venue doors.

The Arts Centre does not provide the facilities to hire opera glasses.

Many regular theatre-goers own a pair of these small binoculars, to get a closer look at the intricate work on the costumes or the set, or to watch the performers more closely. Opera glasses are available at most camera shops, or anywhere that sells binoculars.

The Arts Centre has two ATMs, one located beside the car park cashier on level 5 and the other beside the rear entrance to Curve Bar on level 6.

The nearest ATMs outside the building are in the Southbank Arts and Leisure Precinct.

The Arts Centre is a smoke free venue. Smoking is permitted only outside the building, and any ‘No Smoking’ notices should be observed.

To you, it might be a few whispered words. To the person beside, in front or behind you, it’s a major distraction from what’s happening on the stage.

Our venues are designed with perfect acoustics so you can hear every word that comes out of the actors’ mouth. Unfortunately, this means that in most cases they can hear every word that comes out of yours. You’d be surprised how obvious even a whisper in the auditorium is to a performer.

Most performers are completely drained after a show and look forward to resting at home. If you’ve enjoyed a show so much, you really want to catch a glimpse of the performer, then Stage Door is the place to go.

With multiple exits to all Arts Centre buildings, however, there’s no guarantee they’ll cross your path.

Heaps. While most people think of the Arts Centre as a place that only comes alive at night, the truth is there’s always something going on. Our gallery spaces, with exhibitions as varied as the history of circus, art inspired by jazz, and the hit Kylie exhibition, are open every day until late.

For a unique insight into Melbourne’s most iconic building, take a guided tour. Front of House tours take you through the foyers and into the auditoriums (where available) and explain the history, design and function of the buildings, as well as explaining the significance of the artwork that fills the walls of our foyers. They run Monday to Saturday at 12 midday and 2.30pm.

For a completely different look at the centre, the Sunday Backstage tour, which leaves at 12.15pm, takes you behind the scenes to see the very different world that the actors and crews inhabit. Check out a dressing room, step onto a stage or wander through the orchestra pit.

If you’re turning up in a group, why not make it a private tour? Your personal guide will cater the tour to what you want to see, and you can make it any time you want.

More information on guided tours.

For students or kids, there’s the Alfred Brash Soundhouse, a state-of-the-art facility that specialises in teaching the latest in music and video technology. Soundhouse Birthday Parties are a great way of doing something fun, intelligent and completely different for a group of kids, with the guest of honour taking home a CD of their very own original composition.

Throughout the year, other special events fill the Arts Centre calendar and provide countless opportunities for you to make the most out of your Arts Centre. From the enormity of the free annual Chookahs! children’s festival, to the insanity of the Spiegeltent, the Arts Centre’s not just for people with tickets.

Add our cafés, bars and restaurants and it makes the Arts Centre much more than a ‘building with theatres in it’.

With not only so many different shows on offer, but so many different performing arts mediums, how do you choose which show to go to?

Explore the What’s On pages of this website for information on all Arts Centre events then choose the most exciting thing. Be adventurous! If you know you love musicals, why not try an opera? If you love ballet but there are no performances this month, get tickets to a symphony performance.

If you want your own show or event in one of our theatres, check out all the technical specifications.

Once you’ve done that, Enquiries can be made by email - prog@theartscentre.com.au or by phoning 9281 8450.

Absolutely! Whether it’s a few drinks for your clients before a show or a wedding reception, the Arts Centre has a function room that’s perfect for your event. To view some of our versatile spaces go to www.theartcentre.net.au/functions

To chat to an Event Manager, please call Epicure Catering directly on 03 9281 8350. Or, for more information, visit their website www.epicure.com.au

Head over to the Employment page of this website.

Items permitted in the Bowl change from event to event. Make sure you check the Conditions of Entry for your event.

Certain things, however, are never allowed into the venue. Breakable drinking glasses, elevated seating, hard-sided hampers, coolers and eskies, weapons and dangerous items, domestic animals, items which could impede other people’s enjoyment are not permitted, and will be taken by staff before you enter the venue.
To check the conditions of entry in the What’s On listing.

Performances at the Bowl generally proceed regardless of the weather. These events carry a ‘Proceed rain or shine’ policy (as indicated on your ticket). If you hold lawn tickets, remember to bring your protective gear and to dress warmly.

Check the terms and conditions of entry for more information.

Sir Roy Grounds was the architect of both the Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Victoria.

John Truscott, an Academy Award ™ winning costume and production designer, was interior designer.

For more information, take a Guided Tour of the Arts Centre or check out the book ‘A Place Across the River’ by Vicki Fairfax.

For a monthly update on all Arts Centre events, subscribe to eNews.

Ring (03) 9281 8000 to speak to someone