Open House Melbourne 2025: Exploring the City’s Hidden Stories
One weekend. Hundreds of hidden stories.
Open House Melbourne returns on 26–27 July 2025, giving you the rare chance to step inside nearly 200 of the city’s most intriguing spaces—many of which are only open to the public this weekend. From private homes to hidden vaults, brand-new stations to historic icons, this year’s theme Stories of the City invites you to explore the people, ideas and history behind the buildings.
Most events are free or just $7, but spots book out fast—so start planning now. Here’s our guide to what not to miss. Here’s our guide to Open House Melbourne 2025:
What is Open House Melbourne?
Established in 2008, Open House Melbourne is an annual event that opens the doors to some of the city’s most significant and often inaccessible buildings. From historic landmarks to contemporary designs, the event celebrates Melbourne’s architectural diversity and encourages public engagement with the built environment.
When is Open House Melbourne 2025?
Open House Melbourne is happening from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July, 2025.
Reader comment
I’ve visited lots of buildings during Open House over the years—except during COVID, of course. Back then there were no costs like there are now for certain buildings, but it’s still great to see places that aren’t normally open to the public.
Some of my favourites have been the old substations (which sadly aren’t on weekends anymore), the Myer Mural Hall, the Percy Grainger Building, and the tunnels under St Vincent’s Hospital.
This year, I’m hoping to check out the Brew Tour Museum and the Athenaeum Library!
– Kerrie
Highlights of the Open House Melbourne 2025 Program
From never-before-seen public infrastructure to creative studios, street art spaces, and private residences, The Open House 2025 lineup spans the city’s past, present and imagined future. It’s not just about architecture—it’s about the stories, people, and ideas shaping Melbourne.
Here are some of our standout events:
1. Veloway on the West Gate Tunnel Project
Experience Melbourne’s new 2.5-kilometer elevated cycling path, offering a unique perspective of the city’s infrastructure.
2. Port Phillip EcoCentre
Explore the newly opened EcoCentre, focusing on sustainability and environmental education.
3. Melbourne Recital Centre
Discover the award-winning Melbourne Recital Centre, renowned for its intimate performance spaces and exceptional acoustics, enhancing live music experiences.
4. Essendon Fields Airport Terminal
Tour the historic terminal and learn about its role in Melbourne’s aviation history.
5. Modern Melbourne Film Premiere
Greg Burgess: Attend the premiere of a documentary celebrating the work of renowned architect Greg Burgess.
Highlights of the Open House Melbourne 2025 Program
6. Seafarers Rest and 1 Hotel Melbourne
Discover the adaptive reuse of Goods Shed No.5, blending heritage preservation with modern design. Free self-guided maps are available onsite.
7. Bills Street Social and Affordable Housing
Learn about public housing renewal programs through a tour of this innovative development. Tours run for 60 minutes in groups of 25. Tickets $7
8. ACMI Tours and Collection Screenings
Explore the Australian Centre for the Moving Image with guided tours and special screenings.
9. Abbotsford Convent
Visit this historic site, featuring open access to buildings, exhibitions, and performances. Guided tours cost $7.
10. Koorie Heritage Trust – Birrarung Building
Explore KHT’s award-winning Birrarung Building, a unique First Peoples cultural centre showcasing architecture that honours Country and community values. Free, no bookings required. Tour group capacity is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Highlights of the Open House Melbourne 2025 Program
11. Parliament House Building Tour
Explore Victoria’s Parliament House through guided tours, discovering its historic Legislative Chambers, Queen’s Hall, and extensive Parliamentary Library.
12. Hidden Stories of the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
Explore the iconic Queen Victoria Women’s Centre, home to feminist history exhibitions, community events, and support for women and artists.
13. Life Down a Lane
Experience Life Down a Lane through a guided tour, where you’ll learn about its design and enjoy insights from the architect.
14. Legacy House
Explore Legacy House’s audiovisual presentation showcasing personal stories of veterans’ families and the lasting impact of Melbourne Legacy’s services. Free, no bookings required.
15. Behind the Façades
Explore the hidden infrastructure of early working-class life via the cobble stone laneways of South Melbourne. The tour will be led by historian Meyer Eidelson
16. Hawthorn Tram Depot
Explore the historic Hawthorn Tram Depot on a guided tour featuring a stunning heritage tram fleet from the 1880s to 1970s. No bookings required.
17. Box Cottage Museum
Home to the City of Moorabbin Historical Society, discover eclectic collections, including market gardening tools, a 1918 Chinese silk wedding dress, and more.
18. Anzac Station – Metro Tunnel Project
Be among the first to see inside this major transport hub before it opens to the public. Rare insight into city-shaping infrastructure.
Highlights of the Open House Melbourne 2025 Program
19. Bates Smart Gallery: Collective Narratives
Contribute your own story to this interactive exhibition, capturing personal connections to Melbourne’s streets, buildings and places.
20. Armstrong Studios: Melbourne’s Abbey Road
Hear from the music producers and legends behind some of Melbourne’s most iconic albums and film soundtracks.
21. Street Art Studio Tours – Rone + Callum Preston, Blender Studios & Everfresh
Peek behind the graffiti into the working studios of Melbourne’s most celebrated street artists in West Melbourne and Collingwood.
22. Reworlding: Naarm – Urban Role-Playing Game
Step into 2050 in this immersive adventure through Melbourne’s future as a megacity. Equal parts art, theatre and exploration.
Browse over 200 more events here!
Planning your Open House outing
With a vast array of events, attendees are encouraged to plan ahead. Some experiences require pre-booking, with tickets released on July 2 and July 5, 2025.
The official Open House Melbourne website offers detailed itineraries and an Access Map to assist visitors in navigating the program.
Be ready to book!
First release tickets: 12pm Wednesday 2 July
Second release tickets: 10am Saturday 5 July
Open House Melbourne Info Hub
For event information and assistance on the ground, an Open House Melbourne Info Hub will be set up outside Melbourne Town Hall. Address: 90/130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Here, you can also collect the many self-guided tour maps available across the weekend (while stocks last), or download printable PDFs online.
Open House Melbourne Info Hub Open Hours:
Friday 18 July—Friday 25 July 11am—7pm
Saturday 26 July 9am—6pm
Sunday 27 July 9am—5pm
Embracing the City’s Stories
Open House Melbourne 2025 invites you to uncover the narratives woven into the city’s architecture. Whether you’re an architecture enthusiast, history buff, or curious explorer, the event offers a unique lens through which to view Melbourne.
For more information and to plan your weekend, visit the official website: Open House Melbourne 2025.
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
