State Library Victoria

Melbourne

One of the oldest public libraries in Australia, behind a columned portico and lawn on Swanston Street, famous for its domed octagonal reading room.

How to get there by public transport

Nearest stops

Melbourne Central & State Library stations/La Trobe St (Melb... #6 #1804660 m Melbourne Central & State Library stations/La Trobe St (Melb... #6 #1803080 m Melbourne Central Station/Swanston St #8 #1949590 m Melbourne Central Station/Swanston St #8 #19689100 m Little Lonsdale St/Russell St #19527130 m Swanston St/Lonsdale St #19554170 m

Lines stopping nearby

1 3 5 6 16 30 35 64 67 72 200 207 302 304 318 905 906 907

Plan a route to “State Library Victoria”

From your location or a typed address — the route is drawn on the 3D map above.

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State Library Victoria — Melbourne — State Library Victoria · Donaldytong / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

What it is

The library opened in 1856, and its first building was designed by Joseph Reed. The La Trobe Reading Room, opened in 1913, rises six storeys to a glass-topped dome, and galleries around it look down on the reading desks below. The library's exhibitions include the armour worn by the bushranger Ned Kelly at his capture in 1880.

The library is free to enter and widely used by students and visitors, and the lawn in front is a favourite meeting place in the city centre.

Getting there by bus

Trams 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 stop at Melbourne Central Station/Swanston St (stop 8) beside the library, and trams 30 and 35 at the La Trobe Street stop for the Melbourne Central and State Library stations (stop 6).

State Library Station on the Sunbury line opens next to the library, and Melbourne Central station is across Swanston Street. Buses 200 and 207 stop at La Trobe St/Russell St, one block east.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to State Library Victoria by public transport?

The nearest stops are Melbourne Central & State Library stations/La Trobe St (Melb... #6, Melbourne Central Station/Swanston St #8, Little Lonsdale St/Russell St. Open any of them to see the lines that stop there, or use the Journey Planner for a route from your location to State Library Victoria.

What is the nearest stop to State Library Victoria?

Melbourne Central & State Library stations/La Trobe St (Melb... #6 (stop code 18046), about 60 m from State Library Victoria. On the stop page you can see all the lines that stop there and live arrival estimates.

Where is State Library Victoria located?

State Library Victoria is in Melbourne. You can see its exact location and a 3D view at the top of this page.

How do I get to State Library Victoria from another part of the city?

Open the Journey Planner, enter your origin (an address or a stop) and State Library Victoria as the destination — you will get the best routes with lines, transfers and departure times based on the timetable.