Federation Square

The social hub of Melbourne is a grand silver building, jutting up into the sky. Federation Square opened in October 2002 - as one of Australia's most ambitious construction projects - a zigzag maze of sandstone, zinc and glass that took more than five years to erect, at a cost of $440 million dollars.

Now with a collection of architecture and tourism awards to its name, Fed Square (as the locals call it) has become Melbourne's answer to the lively piazzas of Rome - bustling with people and events, on a corner block that unites the Yarra River and the CBD.

Inside the impressive labyrinth, you'll find the largest collection of Australian art in the World at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. View historic footage at The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the most advanced centre for screen culture in the world. And step out to the stunning square itself, which can house up to 20,000 people across its twinkling geometric pavement, made from Western Australian (Kimberley region) sandstone cobbles.

If you make Federation Square your meeting point, you can also dine at the many wonderful restaurants and cafes that grace the precinct, like the organic Japanese eatery, Chocolate Buddha. Sample some of the world's best beers at Transport Hotel, a modern pub built across from Melbourne's central transport network, Flinders Street Station. Be sure to venture up to Transport Hotel's top floor Transit Lounge-Garden, which offers panoramic views of Federation Square, the Yarra River and Southgate.

Contact details

• Website: http://www.federationsquare.com.au
• Email: info@fedsquare.com
• Phone: + 61 3 9655 1900
• Fax: + 61 3 9663 3652

Getting there

• Corner of Swanston street and Flinders street Melbourne CBD. All Melbourne Trains make their way through Flinders street station across Federation Square. Many trams travel down Swanston and Flinders Street.