Parliament House

Unclaimed

I recently visited Victoria’s Parliament House in Melbourne, and it was such a fantastic experience! Not only is it free, but the tour is also packed with history, beautiful architecture, and lots of opportunities for photos. Here’s what my visit was like Just walk in, make sure you get there 30 minutes early to secure a spot (tours are first-come, first-served, with about 20 people per session). The process was simple: - I went through a security check - Stored my bag in the designated area - And showed my ID (electronic version worked perfectly). ⭐️Tour Highlights 1️⃣ Front Hall A grand entrance with a beautiful mosaic floor and high ceilings. 2️⃣ Queen’s Hall Bright and elegant with chandeliers and arched windows. There was even a Christmas tree when I visited, which made it extra special. 3️⃣ Legislative Assembly (Green Room) Sitting in the green seats where laws are debated was such a cool experience. Before leaving, you can stand at the front for a “speaker’s podium” photo—so fun! 4️⃣ Legislative Council (Red Room) The red and gold decor here was gorgeous, and the staff shared some great stories about its history. 5️⃣ Library My favorite spot! It looks like it’s straight out of Harry Potter, with its domed ceiling and sparkling chandeliers. Staff there are incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, making the entire experience so smooth and enjoyable. This was hands down one of the best free experiences I’ve had in Melbourne. If you’re in Melbourne, I highly recommend this public tour. Whether you’re into history, architecture, or just looking for something fun and free to do, this tour has it all!

It’s best to check online a day before to see which tours are available, as they can change depending on capacity. I arrived an hour before the tour started, and there were already lots of people ahead of me. I was lucky to be one of the 25 admitted! I’d recommend getting there at least 30 minutes early, or even earlier if there are only a few tours running that day or week. The lady who showed us around was brilliant! Really glad I got to visit and see the Parliament.

Fantastic free tour! The tour lasted for just under an hour and covered the main rooms and of the parliament. Our guide Justin was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable; you can tell he is passionate and loves his job. The building itself is stunning, well maintained and secure. So much history and things to learn. If you want to attend the tour I advise showing up more than the recommended 30 minutes early. The tour was full 35 minutes before the tour commenced leaving some disappointed.

We did not go in, and explored it from the outside. The architecture is amazing and lots of pigeons can be spotted flying around it. The tour is free here, would recommend booking the tour in advance.

Gorgeous historical building, and free tours are available when parliament is not meeting. Remember to bring photo ID if you are planning to enter the building.