Parliament House, Melbourne — Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

When construction began on Melbourne's Parliament House in 1855, the gold rush was transforming Victoria into one of the wealthiest places on Earth, and the colonists decided their government deserved a building to match. Designed by Peter Kerr and John George Knight in the Roman Revival style, Parliament House held its first session on November 25, 1856 and immediately established itself as one of Australia's most significant buildings. Built in stages using bluestone, the building grew grander with each addition, culminating in the impressive west front completed in 1892 in Stawell stone. Colonial observers called it "the most significant building in Australia," and it's hard to argue with that assessment. There's one feature that gives Parliament House an unexpected charm: the dome that appears in the original plans was never built. Whether by design, budget constraints, or changing priorities, Melbourne's parliament sits proudly without its intended crowning glory, making it one of Australia's most magnificent unfinished buildings. The interior is equally impressive, with lavish use of marble, gold leaf, and carved timber that reflects the astonishing wealth of gold-rush Melbourne. The building even served as the seat of the Commonwealth Parliament from 1901 to 1927, hosting the birth of Australian democracy at the national level. Questo's Melbourne governance trail brings you to these grand steps where Victoria's gold built a temple to democracy.