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Melbourne Loves… Street Art

Oh Melbourne I love you. From your love of food and wine, your passion for whatever sporting event is on each week and your first class class shopping to your iconic neighborhoods, world famous coffee and secluded laneways which act as a canvas for some of the best Street Art in the World.

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Melbourne is an amazing city and I love that walking through the CBD you’ll see and eclectic mix of people. There are no labels and everyone is accepted for who they are and who they want to be.  But it hasn’t always been this way. Melbourne’s street art culture is a remnant of a youth who felt disaffected during the 1970 and 1980’s and took their inspiration from the graffiti culture of New York. Since then it has morphed into a sub-culture of its own and Melbourne City encourages it.

There are designated walls and buildings throughout Melbourne where the city grants permits for artists to display their work. On the whole its a system that works well, with new artwork popping up and recycling the walls at irregular intervals. The one thing the city requests is that artist ‘do art; not tags’ – and most artists comply. One thing for is for sure, it’s highly unlikely that if you took yourself on a walking tour a few weeks apart, you wouldn’t be able to find the same artwork!

Let me take you on a mini tour of Melbourne’s most famous Street Art Laneways

First up: Hosier Lane

The epitome of Melbourne’s street art laneway’s – one of the originals and still one of the best. Noted for the quality and often political nature of its art, its an underground artists hub in the midst of upmarket cocktail bars and fancy restaurants.

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Youth Projects remain in operation, adorned by art, to provide health, outreach, community and education services to individuals experiencing disadvantage.

RELATED: Touring Melbourne’s street art is one of my must-do things in Australia – click the link to read all 100!

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next stop: AC/DC Lane

Formerly Corporation Lane, it was renamed in 2004 in recognition of AC/DC as both recognition as their status as Ambassadors for Australia, and its location in the rock bar district of Melbourne. The trademark lightning bolt contravened road naming provisions and so the punctuation was creatively added around the street name sign after its installation! The laneway is now home to some great artwork – some of which is protected and will never be re-tagged. This is probably the only spot in Melbourne where you will always see the same piece of art!

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Melbourne Loves Art

I’m presuming its a creative use of a toy AK47…

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Rock On StormTrooper!

Melbourne Loves Street Art

The Cherry Bar is the home of rock and roll on AC/DC lane, with its artwork is linked to those who contributed funding to the soundproofing of the building. This is street art that will should always be around.

Melbourne Loves Street Art

  NEED MORE MELBOURNE IN YOUR LIFE? – Plan your trip with out guide to the Top Things To Do in Melbourne & The Best Day Trips from Melbourne to help you explore more of Victoria!

 

MOVING ON: FLINDERS LANE

Flinders Lane is lined with upmarket, trendy and supercool restaurants and bars – but there is still a little Street Art to be found – and even Walt Disney is getting in on the act! This piece is one of my favorites and was installed during the Lion King’s 2015 theater run in Melbourne.

Melbourne Loves Street Art

related: whilst your here check out the 5 THINGS NOT TO MISS IN MELBOURNE

FINALLY: UNION LANE

Slap Bang in the middle of Melbourne’s shopping center – Bourke Street Mall, and right next to David Jones (an upmarket department store) lies Union Lane. To be honest, its my least favorite street art laneway – most of the artwork is tags rather than art, and it is quite dirty (and a little smelly) between the middle and the entrance on Little Collins Street. The entry from Bourke Street however, is where you’ll see tourist snapping the traditional tourist shot – and the end of the laneway often has a great piece of art on display.

Melbourne Love Street Art

Melbourne Love Street Art

…and this last one: I saw from my 10th floor office window at the other end of the city and ran out to get a shot. Its a cafe combining two of Melbourne’s loves – coffee & street art! Pretty cool huh?!

Melbourne Loves Street Art

Have you ever visited any of these iconic laneways? Or have I missed your favorite off the list? Let me know your favorite street art laneway in the comments below!

and did I mention…

Melbourne Loves Street Art

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Melbourne LOVES Street Art

Joy @MyTravelingJoys

Friday 18th of March 2016

So many laneways to explore, but I've really been liking the streetart scene more in Fitzroy, Carlton, Brunswick areas now. There's also Blender's Lane and another one near the Queen Vic Market that has some good street art. :)

Vicki

Friday 18th of March 2016

Thanks for your insight Joy! I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and always feel that I should explore the inner suburbs more!

Portia @ Migrant Muse

Sunday 14th of February 2016

Love the street art you captured in these photos! I find the whole graffiti world kinda fascinating as there's always been a certain stigma around it, but these pieces are gorgeous! Hopefully the art work sticks around long enough for when I get a chance to visit Melbourne :)

Vicki

Sunday 14th of February 2016

Hi Portia - i'm sure a couple of them will still be there on your visit - but I think one of the best things about Melbourne's street art scene is that you can always see something new and different! If you need any hints, tips or recommendations when you make it to Melbourne just let me know! Happy Travels :-)

Sarah Christie

Wednesday 10th of February 2016

some f this is just incredible, I love the storm trooper

Vicki

Wednesday 10th of February 2016

Hi Sarah - thanks for commenting :-) The storm trooper does seem to be a favorite!

Rachel Pearson

Tuesday 9th of February 2016

I'd love to visit Melbourne, I'll be in Australia later this year so hoping to get to visit! The street art looks amazing and is especially wasn't to see ACDC lane. Thanks for sharing!

Holly

Tuesday 9th of February 2016

Very cool. I keep hearing about their street art. The city looks like a lot of fun.

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