Photojournalist Photographers

Shooting Locations in Melbourne

I thought I’d put together some of the best spots for shooting in and around inner Melbourne and the CBD. There is a wealth of great spots to shoot either within walking distance in certain parts of town, or a short drive – if you have the time and transportation.

If you’re on foot, the south eastern corner of the city has the most to offer.  I have taken an area bounded by Flinders Street to Collins Street and Spring Street to Swanston Street. This area can take you on a four hour walk around town, with plenty of locations not even sighted. I reckon, this is the  ‘Golden Square” of the City. Here are some examples of the diverse and interesting places you can visit in this area.

Locations By foot – walking distance from the corner of Spring and Collins Streets

  • Parliament House
  • The City Museum
  • Treasury Gardens
  • Foyer & entrance of the Windsor Hotel
  • Fitzroy Gardens (you could spend 2 hours here) Skylines through the trees, winding paths, statues, water features, garden beds in bloom, the Conservatorium, Cooks Cottage, the curators residence, a great row of elm trees with a rustic footworn path – countless nooks and crannies, bridges and pathways where the sun don’t shine under cover of forest, but the light is right – even on a dull day. I believe this is my favourite place for a condensed, time effective Melbourne photographic location.
  • Federation Square
  • Melba Park
  • Myer Music Bowl
  • Flinders Street Station
  • The St Kilda Road Bridge
  • Southbank
  • The Arts Centre
  • Boutiques and Couture in Collins Street
  • Cityscapes from the Yarra River.
  • Parkland, Bridges and Cityscapes to the south of the Yarra River, across the river from Federation Square
  • Hosier Lane – The only lane that allows and encourages graffiti artists
  • Flinders Lane – Many architectural delights of yesteryear, abounding with archways and mysterious shapes from the past.

Locations by car up to a 20 minute drive from the CBD

  • Docklands – great light in the afternoon shooting across the water towards the city skyline along with the promenades and boats / luxury yachts
  • Spencer Street Station. Great architecture and lines for backdrops.
  • Chinatown
  • Hardware Lane
  • St Kilda – Luna Park, St Kilda Beach and Pier, Acland Street for casual cafe and bar shots – nice change up location. Be aware though that the venue at the end of the pier will try to charge you if you want shots taken on their property…
  • Yarra Bend Boat Houses
  • The Old Exhibition Buildings and surrounding parkland
  • Southbank and Southgate precinct
  • Crown Casino – especially in the evening around dusk. The casino don’t allow photos in much of the complex, but it’s still worth utilising the bits they do.
  • The Park Hyatt – only if your reception is in the hotel. They have the most magnificent foyer, but are extremely unfriendly to couples, even if they have afternoon tea there… they charge couples $500 for the privelege even if you’re reception is onsite (nice as pie until you have you have eaten and paid the bill – then you’re unceremoniously ejected) outrageous really…
  • Block Arcade

Our beautiful city is filled with great spots for shooting, with enough diversity to offer a creative and interesting folio of your wedding day.