1. Eureka Tower, Melbourne

Eureka Tower, or Melbourne Skydeck, is an iconic building in Melbourne’s Southbank precinct that stands tall at 975 ft (297.3 m). It used to be the world’s tallest residential tower until the completion of Dubai’s Ocean Heights and the HHHR Tower.

From the Skydeck, you can enjoy panoramic views of the cityscape and the surrounding places of interest, including Albert Park Lake and Port Philip Bay. Make the most of your visit by trying the Plank Experience, a family-friendly virtual reality activity that will take you through the streets of Melbourne after taking a plunge from dizzying heights. You can also head to the Edge, which is a transparent glass cube suspended high above the streets, or The Voyager Theatre, which provides iconic Melbourne experiences. Conclude your visit with a cool drink from Bar 88 also found onsite.

Eureka Tower

Address: 7 Riverside Quay, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia

Website: Eureka Tower

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10pm

Price: 28 USD

2. Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne

A visit to the Shrine of Remembrance means going back to significant periods in Australian history. Nestled in Kings Domain, this war memorial offers guided tours that let visitors learn all about the service of Victorians and Australians in the past. The place also features remembrance services as well as exhibitions, such as the Tours de Force and Defending with Pride. Visitors can even time their visit so they can catch scheduled events and programs offered by the Shrine.

Tours last for 45 minutes and are suitable for adults and kids alike.

Shrine of Remembrance

Address: Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3001, Australia

Website: Shrine of Remembrance

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

3. Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne

This World Heritage-listed building is one of the oldest surviving from the Great Exhibition Era and hosts fashion shows, gala dinners, and cultural festivals. Located in Melbourne, the building was established in 1880 and housed the first commonwealth parliament. It is home to the annual Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, fashion and art fairs, and other interesting conventions. The museum also offers regular tours on most days, which are subject to availability, so call ahead if you want to reserve a slot.

Royal Exhibition Building

Address: 9 Nicholson St, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia

Website: Royal Exhibition Building

Opening hours: 5:30am - 12pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

4. Vaucluse House, Sydney

Originally an aboriginal land, this house museum in Sydney is a 19th-century mansion that offers an immersive experience and audio tours to its visitors. As the country’s first official house museum, the structure features a stable, outwings, and gardens retaining a significant portion of the original setting. With a grand entrance space, cedar tables, Gothic arches, paintings, and souvenirs, the venue also hosts workshops and festivals and is well worth a visit for anyone interested in learning about the fascinating story of this century-old building.

Vaucluse House

Address: 69A Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse, NSW 2030, Australia

Website: Vaucluse House

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon - Tue)

Price: From 12 USD

5. Queen Victoria Building, Sydney

Located in Sydney, this famous historical building was originally designed as a marketplace and now houses more than 175 stores and cafes. Opened in 1898, this prestigious shopping hub features a colossal dome in the center flanked by 19th-century architectural embellishments representative of the Romanesque style. The establishment also offers guided tours that are ideal for anyone looking to understand the history and characteristics of the magnificent building.

Queen Victoria Building

Address: 455 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Website: Queen Victoria Building

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm

Price: Free

6. Q1, Surfers Paradise

Located in the heart of Surfer’s Paradise, this iconic urban tower offers excellent accommodation and dining options on the Gold Coast. As the southern hemisphere’s tallest building, this famous tower in Australia is a stunning marvel of architectural excellence with elements of design inspired by the spirit of the country. The skyscraper also houses the only beachside observational deck, not to mention five-star restaurants, penthouses, and cafes by the beautiful beach.

Q1

Address: 9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise, QLD 4217, Australia

Website: Q1

Opening hours: 7:30am - 10pm (daily)

Price: Free

7. Parliament House, Canberra

Located in the country’s capital, Canberra, this famous building was built in 1988 atop Capitol Hill. With more than 4,500 rooms and grand halls and foyers, the structure features a design that is influenced by the shape of two boomerangs with two axes that represent the country’s historical and legislative progress. The building also houses famous displays that include Magna Carta, interesting artworks, and portraits of previous prime ministers.

Parliament House

Address: Parliament Dr, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

Website: Parliament House

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

8. Sydney Opera House (from USD 28.0)

This one-hour tour is ideal for anyone looking to explore and understand the history and magic of the Sydney Opera House and its exemplary theaters and foyers. Designed by a Danish architect more than 60 years ago, this iconic building is one of the best-performing arts centers in the world, with more than 1,750 performances held every year. It is also one of the things Australia is famous for.

The guided tour includes headsets that provide insider secrets and stories about this famous UNESCO World Heritage site. Note that the audio tour guide is available in various languages, such as German, French, and Spanish, while the live tour guide is presented in English, German, French, and Spanish.

Sydney: Opera House Guided Tour with Entrance Ticket

Duration: 1.0 hour

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9. Collins Street, Melbourne

Located in the central business district of Victoria, this skyscraper offers office accommodation and panoramic views of the city. With a postmodern style, the building has close access to public transportation and features offices of companies such as Citigroup, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Standard & Poor’s, Mitsubishi, etc. Opened in 1991, this famous structure in Australia is the sixth-tallest building in the country and the second-largest tower in Melbourne.

120 Collins Street

Address: 120 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Opening hours: 24 hours

Price: Free

10. Flinders Street Railway Station, Melbourne

Located in Melbourne, this railway station is an iconic building with Australia’s longest platform. Opened in 1909, the structure housed the country’s first railway station, which was once the busiest station in the world, along with a lecture hall, gymnasium, and library. With a remarkable dome, the art nouveau-style building is a widely recognized landmark, and standing beneath the clocks of this station is an experience that should not be missed during your visit to Melbourne.

Flinders Street Railway Station

Address: Flinders St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Website: Flinders Street Railway Station

Opening hours: 24 hours

Price: Free

11. Australia Square Tower, Sydney

Located in the heart of Sydney’s business district, this famous skyscraper is a retail and office complex with a total of 50 floors. Boasting an innovative design, the iconic high-rise was envisioned as a two-building structure and features a tower that was once the city’s tallest. Now, it is an important building in Australia that offers a range of facilities that include concierge services, chauffeur services, restaurant reservations, VIP arrivals, corporate gifts, fitness centers, and sustainable office spaces that provide the perfect work-life balance.

Australia Square Tower

Address: Level 17/264 George St, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Website: Australia Square Tower

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm (closed on Sat - Sun)

Price: Free

12. Rialto Towers, Melbourne

Situated in Melbourne’s central business district, this skyscraper features Gothic architectural elements, a public observation deck, and a massive glass facade. Completed in 1986 during the Melbourne gold rush, this famous building features 63 floors above ground and 3 floors below ground and was once the tallest building in the southern hemisphere. Influenced by the run-up event at Empire State Building in New York, the skyscraper hosts a tower-running event every year with participants climbing 1,642 steps to the sky deck.

Rialto Towers

Address: 525 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia

Website: Rialto Towers

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Price: From 12 USD

Ogle at Australia's architectural gems

Beautiful beaches and glamping spots are not all the Australia has to offer. From towering skyscrapers to iconic performing arts centers, Australia is also home to some of the most dazzling man-made structures in the world. Whether you are looking to be awed by late 19th-century revival styles of Victorian architecture or hypnotized by high-rises with stunning views that make up majestic skylines, the cities of Australia have their fair share of masterpieces. Take your pick from the above list of the best famous buildings in Australia and get an eyeful during your trip to the Land Down Under.