Federation Square

Federation Square (Fed Square)

A jagged plaza with a free screen museum

Hours

Square always open; ACMI daily 10am–5pm (closed 25 Dec)

Tickets

Free (special exhibitions extra)

Address

Directly opposite Flinders Street Station, corner of Swanston and Flinders Streets

Buildings clad in jigsawed triangular panels wrap a sloping square of sandstone paving. First impression is usually "what is this?", but sit on the steps among people watching cricket or footy on the big screen and you see why it's the city's meeting point. ACMI, the museum of the moving image, has a free permanent exhibition that's perfect for a rainy hour, and NGV Australia, the gallery's Australian-art wing, is on the same square. Walk down the back and you're on the Yarra river path.