Bourke Street & Around

Lonely Planet review

West of Swanston St marks the beginning of the Bourke St Mall. The mall is thick with the sounds of trams clanging, Peruvian bands busking, spruikers and the general hubbub from shoppers. The expansive entrances of the mall's main department stores, Myer and David Jones, consume waves of eager shoppers, regurgitating them some time later with signature shopping bags.

The GPO (cnr Bourke & Elizabeth Sts) is a cosy collection of select shops housed in a grand neo-Renaissance landmark building. On the other side of the mall, the Royal Arcade, built between 1869 and 1870, is Melbourne's oldest shopping mall; the upper walls retain much of the original 19th-century detail. Follow the black-and-white chequered path past souvenir, travel, food and jewellery shops to the mythological figures of giant brothers Gog and Magog perched (with hammers) atop the arched exit to Little Collins St. They've been striking the hour here since 1892.

Behind Little Bourke St - fleece central, lined with outdoor-gear stores - is Caledonian Lane. This unofficial canvas for local street artists attracts loads of attention from locals and overseas visitors.

The extreme western end of Bourke St is home to some stately historical buildings, big-business office towers, power lunches and newspaper stands.