Much of the inner city’s goodness is hidden Inside the Melbourne Laneways: secret coffee shops, rooftop bars, soup kitchens, boutique stores and obviously, world-class road art. If you are in Melbourne and haven’t taken a selfie in the local street art at two of the most popular Melbourne graffiti hot spots — Hosier Lane or DeGraves Street you still have a lot to cover. However, the thing about Melbourne is, the town is all about identity and creativity.
Melbourne’s ‘secret’ hot spots are infinite and fresh and funky Places are popping up throughout the CBD every month. What exactly does that mean? Melbourne is the best town to pack your camera, strap your feet into a comfy walking shoes and get lost! So, get your ‘Melbourne’ on and check out these five lesser-known graffiti artwork laneways…
Caledonian Lane
This small (and we mean little) laneway is only 4m wide and Runs between Little Bourke and Lonsdale Street. It can be said that Caledonian lane is the birthplace for internationally acclaimed music festival and once was home to the famous laneway drinking holes. Even though the graffiti artwork along Caledonian Lane might not be as daring and substantial as Hosier and DeGraves, you may grab the unique masterpiece here and there. Because the tiny laneway still oozes a feeling of Melbourne’s love for all things artistic and underground.
ACDC lane & Duckboard Place
It has been home to some of the favourite drinking holes; it is named after the Aussie Rock Gods ACDC. The road is off Flinders lane and along the rear entrance to a number of Restaurants and Pubs. The tall brick walls play background to old posters and advertisements and a number of graffiti pieces well worth a look. It is not as ‘lively’ as other popular laneways in Melbourne, ACDC Lane has rather an eerie and abandoned feel to it adding to the feeling of secrecy which Melbourne is so renown for. Continue walking across ACDC Lane, and you will head towards Duckboard Place – another place to get some cool Instagram clicks!
Johnson Street – Fitzroy
Start your walk on the corner of Johnston Street and Fitzroy Street to gaze at the brilliant piece from the AWOL, a dream team of Slicer, Li-Hill, Lucy Lucy and others. Have a pleasant walk through Fitzroy street and peep behind every nook and cranny because there is always something to see.
Rose Street – Fitzroy
Stroll towards the Rose Street celebrity markets and Lune Croissanterie; it is Fitzroy’s casual home to art, design and emerging talent. The street has everything starting from tiny stencils to towering murals.
Cubitt Street – Cremorne
This may be the most iconic wall art that you might come across. In greying office buildings and cottage-style homes, you can see a painting of butt-naked Kanye West in bed with Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift. This is a must-hit in your artwork list. Obviously.
Easey’s – Collingwood
This might be the most hipster joint in Melbourne, along with renovated trams and graffiti-filled gardens, Easey’s is home to a five-story painting of Beyoncé in all her pregnant, flowery glory.
Hosier Lane – CBD
Hosier Lane is known for its ever-changing exhibition of Melbourne’s greatest street art. House to the iconic unnamed Native boy by Adnate; this arresting, towering, 23-metre tall mural (very) intentionally overlooks Birrarung Marr.
