There are many reasons to take a trip to Melbourne, Australia–awesome beaches, fabulous food and cool nightlife. But the street art scene is also a major draw, especially if you’re into graffiti. The best place to find it? Simply get lost in the laneways. Yes, among dumpsters and abandoned buildings, down dark and often quiet alleys, you’ll find some of the most interesting visuals Down Under.
The most famous of the plastered laneways is Hosier Lane. Other top viewing spots include Rutledge Place, Duckboard Place, Degraves Street, Croft Alley, AC/DC Lane and Union Lane.
These laneways are quickly helping Melbourne rival some of the biggest street art capitals in the world–places like Berlin, New York and Sao Paolo.
Among the works of art you’ll find everything from unsophisticated tags to mixed media installations to murals. You’re also sure to spot some recognizable works from Banksy, along with other street art greats like Fafi and Logan Hicks.
Ironically, despite the plethora of it, a lot of street art in Melbourne is highly illegal! In fact, the laws against it are incredibly strict compared to other parts of the world. However, there are many areas that have made it legal through local council-authorized projects or privately commissioned pieces. Most of the famous laneways fall under this realm.
It’s easy to put together your own walking tour with the list from above! There’s also this awesome map: Melbourne Graffiti Walks, thanks to Google. For more guidance check out guided tours like Walk to Art and Melbourne Street Art Tours.
(Main image: Looking Glass)
