Little Bourke Street, Melbourne

One of the original east to west roads in town, Little Bourke Street is home to Melbourne's Chinatown, several department stores, and many boutiques.

Chinatown is centered on Little Bourke Street's eastern end, and it features many laneways and arcades. Like other "Chinatowns" all over the world, this was an important area for Chinese immigrants in Australia when they arrived beginning in the 1850s.

You'll still find many shops and restaurants here, but you'll see cuisines from China, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and Korea all represented. There are annual festivals, like Lunar New Year, that are worth checking out. But even if you visit on a quiet day, the architecture and culture here is a fascinating fusion. Many buildings are Victorian with elaborate Chinese motifs.

If you'd like to learn more about the Australian Chinese population, don't miss the Museum of Chinese Australian History, located on Cohen Place. Another great place to explore is the MidCity Arcade, a covered laneway full of Asian fusion shops, foods, and street art. On Cohen Street, look for the Facing Heaven Archway, a replica of a Ming Dynasty arch with imperial lions guarding it.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Melbourne. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Little Bourke Street
Sight Location: Melbourne, Australia (See walking tours in Melbourne)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Melbourne, Australia

Create Your Own Walk in Melbourne

Creating your own self-guided walk in Melbourne is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Historical Buildings Walking Tour

Melbourne's architecture is a rich cocktail of styles ranging from those practiced in the early years of European settlement of Australia to the more modern ones. Among the historical buildings particularly noticeable here are those from the Victorian era, forming an essential part of the city's heritage.

The Old Melbourne Gaol once served as a prison, from 1842 to 1929, and is... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

Melbourne Introduction Walking Tour

Melbourne is the capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria. The metro area consists of 31 different towns spread around the bay of Port Philip. Indigenous Australians have lived here for more than 40,000 years. European settlement began in the 1830s when settlers arrived from Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania). The settlement, incorporated in 1837, was named for the British Prime... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Melbourne Food Tour

Relatively small compared to the likes of New York City or London, Melbourne is quite big when it comes to food 鈥� standing tall among major international culinary destinations. The influence of multiple waves of immigration from Europe and Southeast Asia has rendered this Australian city's gastronomic landscape insanely varied and opulent.

Indeed, the local food scene caters to a wide... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

St. Kilda District Walking Tour

A cosmopolitan seaside suburb of Melbourne overlooking Port Phillip Bay, Saint Kilda District is a charming and culturally rich neighborhood graced with a blend of historical landmarks and contemporary attractions.

One of its prominent sites is the Saint Kilda Town Hall, an imposing municipal building that serves as a hub for various community events and gatherings.

Eildon Mansion, another... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Laneways and Arcades Walking Tour

With over 40 laneways and arcades found in Melbourne, one can easily traverse a good part of the city's Central Business District through them, without even setting foot on a street. Many of these laneways date back to the Victorian era and are packed to the brim with all sorts of retail establishments and eateries 鈥� each with its own distinctive character and charm.

One of the most... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip

Chocolate Indulgence Tour of Melbourne

Melbourne has a reputation for caf茅s and fine restaurants, and lately a chocolate fever has taken over the city. This tour takes you through the alleyways and arcades of the city center whilst stopping at selected chocolate indulgence points. Take your senses on a unique experience through six of...

51爆料网