Victorian Arts Centre

The Victorian Arts Centre is made up of two separate buildings: Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building. The interiors of both buildings are stunning. Hamer Hall is a major performance venue and base for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO). The Theatres Building is topped by a distinctive Eiffel-inspired spire (illuminated at night), underneath which are housed the State Theatre, the Playhouse and the George Fairfax Studio. Here you’ll also find the George Adams Gallery and the St Kilda Road Foyer Gallery; both are free and have changing exhibitions. One-hour tours of the centre are offered at noon and 2.30pm from Monday to Saturday, and a special backstage tour for over-12s only ($14) is offered at 12.15pm on Sunday. Call for bookings. There’s also an arts and crafts market in the Arts Centre undercroft, with a variety of goods on offer, many with an Australian bent.