Royal Arcade, Melbourne

The Royal Arcade is glamorous and memorable, and in many ways like the Block Arcade. It's the oldest arcade in Melbourne, built in 1870, and is on the Victorian Heritage Register. You can enter the arcade from either Bourke, Elizabeth, or Little Collins Streets. The arcade has been a city landmark since its creation. But over the years, shops had altered the appearance, and numerous architectural features were lost. In the early 2000s, a major refurbishment was completed that once again unified all of the shops to their 1894 appearance and restored many historic features.

There are boutiques, cafes, and vintage goods stores galore. You'll notice the statue of Gog and Magog at the Little Collins Street entrance. The seven-foot-tall statues have framed the giant Gaunt clock since 1892, their arms striking the chime for each hour. They are carved from pine and are like those found in Guildhall, London.

The mythical giants represent the conflict between the ancient Britons and the Trojans. Gog and Magog, sometimes called Corineus and Gogmagog, were captured by Trojans and forced to serve as porters. It is in this capacity that they stand in Guildhall and here at the Royal Arcade. The clock and the statues were added about twenty years after the arcade opened by Thomas Gaunt, a jeweler and clockmaker, who had a shop here.

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.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Royal Arcade
Sight Location: Melbourne, Australia (See walking tours in Melbourne)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Laneways and Arcades Walking Tour

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.

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

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

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 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

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...

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