Campus experience
With classes and facilities in the heart of Melbourne’s Arts Precinct and cultural centre, our students enjoy many wonderful opportunities to participate in the artistic life of Melbourne. With such an array of events on their doorstep, our students are regular attendees at exhibitions, performances, rehearsals, masterclasses and other significant events in Melbourne's cultural calendar.
Transforming Southbank
The Faculty’s Southbank campus has undergone large-scale capital works approaching a cost of $200 million, with the aim of transforming our facilities and creating an industry-ready, world-class experience for our students and staff.
New buildings on campus include Buxton Contemporary, a museum and educational facility housing contemporary Australian art and the converted, heritage-listed old police Stables at Southbank, which has been transformed into a new visual arts and performance space.
The jewel in the crown of the campus developments is The Ian Potter Southbank Centre, a new home for the Conservatorium, a nine-storey, $109 million building designed by award-winning architect John Wardle.
Bringing the Faculty together
Our reimagined Southbank campus sees Conservatorium staff and students co-located with their colleagues and peers at the Victorian College of the Arts, bringing all of the creative disciplines together, physically, for the first time in the Faculty’s history. The possibilities for collaboration are endless.
A public space to celebrate the arts
The development of Melbourne's Arts Precinct Blueprint sees Southbank become more connected to the vibrant energy of Melbourne’s city district, with greener spaces, better infrastructure and greater pedestrian access.
The University of Melbourne has been involved in the Blueprint’s development since it was first announced in 2011 – and its vision for the Southbank campus plays a big part in bringing the City’s aspirations to life.
The Faculty of Fine Arts and Music is ready to fulfil its role as the creative catalyst of Melbourne, where artistic minds create change.
The Southbank campus
Home to the majority of our programs, our purpose-built facilities are at the heart of the Melbourne Arts Precinct. The campus sits alongside the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Theatre Company, ACMI X, Melbourne Recital Centre, The Australian Ballet, Chunky Move, the Arts Centre, and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.
Getting to Southbank
The Faculty's Southbank Campus is a ten-minute walk from Flinders Street Station, along St Kilda Road.
For routes travelling up and down St Kilda Road (numbers 1, 2, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72) you can disembark at Grant Street/Police Memorial (stop 17) for all routes except Route 1. If taking Route 1, get off at Arts Precinct (stop number 14). Visit the PTV website for information about routes and times.
There are Melbourne Bikeshare bicycle racks on Dodds Street, outside Building 879. There is also a station for Melbourne Bike Share on the corner of St Kilda Road and Southbank Boulevard. Helmets can be purchased from the IGA at 320 St Kilda Road or 151 Sturt Street (outside Malthouse Theatre) or the 7-Eleven at Fed Square (East Shard Building Ground Level).
Street parking is very limited close to the venues but there are many secure car parks within walking distance. Most street parking spaces have either a 2 or 3 hour limit between 7.30am–6.30pm, Monday–Friday and 8.30am–12.30pm on Saturdays, at a cost of $3.20 per hour.
Street parking is very limited near the theatres, but there are many secure car parks within walking distance of both venues.
There are four disabled parking spaces along Dodds Street, each with a four hour restriction. Holders of a Category 1 Disabled Parking Permit are not required to purchase a ticket.
The Parkville campus
Home to a number of the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music’s programs, the Parkville Campus is situated in the heart of the University of Melbourne, and boasts the grand 340-seat Melba Hall, the scene of many memorable recitals and performances.
Getting to Parkville
Train lines connect to the Parkville Campus from both Flinders Street Station and Melbourne Central Station via trams up Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street. All Swanston Street trams stop at Melbourne University (Stop 1), while the Route 19 tram services Elizabeth Street. Visit the PTV website for information about routes and times.
The Conservatorium is serviced directly by the Route 19 tram which stops right outside at Stop 11. All Swanston Street trams stop at Stop 1, University of Melbourne, and the Conservatorium is only a short walk across campus. Visit the PTV website for information about routes and times.
Buses service both the Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street sides of the Parkville campus. Visit the PTV website for information about routes and times.
The Conservatorium has no dedicated parking for the public but there is limited parking available on campus and outside on Royal Parade. Visit the University of Melbourne website for more information.
There are public bicycle racks available right next door to the Conservatorium on the south side.