What is the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne?
The Royal Exhibition Building is a grand nineteenth-century exhibition hall in Melbourne's Carlton Gardens. Built in 1880, it became Australia's first building listed as World Heritage.
The building was constructed for the Melbourne International Exhibition of 1880 and hosted the larger Centennial Exhibition in 1888. Its great dome and decorated interior reflected Melbourne's wealth after the gold rush.
On 9 May 1901, the first Parliament of Australia was opened in the building. The Victorian Parliament then met there for 26 years while federal Parliament used Victoria's Parliament House.
World Heritage
In 2004 the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are among the few surviving major halls from the great international exhibitions of the nineteenth century.
The building is still used for exhibitions and events, while the modern Melbourne Museum stands next door. Guided tours sometimes take visitors up to the dome promenade.
The surrounding Carlton Gardens feature fountains, avenues of elms and plane trees, and lawns used for picnics.
Did You Know?
Thousands of students sit exams in the building each year, continuing its long role as an exhibition and events hall.