Students, tourists, locals—nearly everyone would struggle to find a more iconic Melbourne landmark than State Library Victoria.
Founded in 1854 as the Melbourne Public Library, it’s Australia’s oldest public library and one of the first free public libraries in the world. This grand 19th-century gem is as much a cultural icon as it is a treasure trove of knowledge.
Step inside to marvel at some of Melbourne’s most stunning heritage interiors, including the awe-inspiring La Trobe Reading Room. Opened in 1913, this majestic octagonal space features a soaring dome that rises six storeys high, holding 32,000 books and seating 320 readers at its iconic desks with signature emerald green lamps—a true haven for book lovers.
