What to do and see in Central Business District, Victoria: The Best Historic Sites

Step back in time and walk the road to the gallows in a 19th century prison, be arrested in a modern-day Police Station or put yourself on trial in court.Home to Melbourne's oldest prison, historic Magistrates' Court and former Police City Watch House, Russell Street has been at the heart of crime, law and order in Melbourne since the 1840s. Most of Australia’s infamous characters, including iconic bushranger, Ned Kelly and notorious gangster Squizzy Taylor have spent time within the walls of this amazing precinct. A ticket to the Old Melbourne Gaol grants you visiting rights to the past, present and future of crime and justice in Australia.

St Paul's Anglican Cathedral is a beautiful, historic building, situated in the centre of the City of Melbourne, Australia. It is a place of worship and prayer. St Paul's is built on the site where the first public Christian services in Melbourne were led by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836. Soon afterwards a small wooden chapel was built elsewhere, and the area became a corn market until 1848, when it was made available for the building of the bluestone St Paul's Parish Church. Consecrated in 1852, this Church was used until 1885, when it was demolished to make way for the present Cathedral. The decision to build on the site of the existing church was made because of its proximity to the railway and soon to be completed cable tramway service.The Swanston Street and Flinders Street corner remains one of Melbourne's busiest intersections today, ensuring the Cathedral is a place at the heart of city life.

Completed in 1870, the Melbourne Town Hall is at the heart of the city's cultural and civic activity, hosting theatre, weddings, receptions and exhibitions. So many of the decisions that have helped shape Melbourne were made within the heritage-listed Town Hall. A mix of bluestone and Tasmanian freestone, the classically designed building features a clock tower and fine masonry. To go behind the scenes and visit the grand Council Chambers and stand where the Beatles and Abba waved from the impressive portico, take a Town Hall tour. As well as the Council Chambers, the Town Hall features a large auditorium, which was remodelled following a fire in 1925 and includes panels decorated with sepia figures. The auditorium's Grand Organ has featured in cutting-edge performances by a range of artists including Philip Glass, Paul Grabowski and the Necks. A free lunchtime concert series has been running since 2003, and the Grand Organ Museum offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the organ and breathe air into its venerable pipes. Join a free Melbourne Town Hall Tour from Monday to Friday with tours departing at 11am and 1pm. Bookings essential.