Venue information
Melbourne Writers Festival takes place in venues across Melbourne, many of which are located in the CBD. Further information about the location of venues, accesibility features and travel options are below.
If you have any enquiries, contact our ticketing team by emailing ticketing@mwf.com.au or calling (03) 9094 7871.
Athenaeum Theatre
Located: 188 Collins Street Melbourne Victoria 3000.
Public Transport
The closest station is Flinders Street which is one block away. Trams run along Collins Street and Swanston Street, stopping right outside the theatre.
Driving
The closest car park is situated at the Westin Hotel on Collins (entry via Flinders Lane).
Accessible entrance
An accessible entrance is located at the right-most doors at the main entrance on Collins Street.
Accessible bathrooms
Accessible bathrooms are located on the ground floor.
The Capitol
Located: 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Enter via Capitol Arcade, opposite Melbourne Town Hall.
For information on how to get to the venue, please vist this webpage.
For access information, including a virtual tour, please visit this webpage.
Cinema Nova
Located: 380 Lygon Street Carlton, within Lygon Court
Accessibilty
For full accessibility information please visit the Cinema Nova website here.
Public Transport
Tram
Tram Routes: 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72.
Tram Stop #1: Melbourne University.
Directions: Walk east from Melbourne University to Lygon Street (300 metres)
Tram Route: 1, 6
Tram Stop #112: Corner Elgin St/Lygon St
Directions: Walk south/toward city along Lygon Street (100 metres)
Train
Melbourne Central Station (then a tram ride as per above)
Bus
The following buses stop at the corner of Lygon and Elgin Street, Carlton
200, 207, 250 and 251
Parking
Free 2 hour parking is available in the automated Lygon Court Shopping Centre Car Park (accessible from Drummond St, Carlton) between Faraday and Elgin streets; look for the Woolworths signage. Request a parking voucher at the Box Office or Candy Bar when making your ticket purchase and scan the provided QR code at the pay station to receive two hours free parking. Two hour free parking discount only valid for day of issue. Car park closes at midnight daily.
Alternatively, there is non-discounted parking available near the corner of Elgin & Lygon streets behind Jimmy Watson's wine bar, accessed from Elgin Street. Other paid parking is located behind the Clocktower complex, accessible from Drummond Street between Faraday and Grattan streets. Metered street parking in the area is plentiful.
Fringe Common Rooms
Located: Trades Hall, Corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets, Carlton VIC 3053.
The main entrance is via Lygon Street.
Hearing Loop
There is a hearing loop available at Fringe Commons Rooms for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Accessibility at Fringe Common Rooms
For more information about accessibility at this venue, please visit the Fringe Common Rooms website.
Melbourne Town Hall
Located: 90-130 Swanston Street.
Public Transport
Trams run along Swanston St and Collins St, stopping nearby Melbourne Town Hall.
The closest trams stops are:
- Stop 6 (Melbourne Town Hall/Collins St) is serviced by routes 11, 12, 48, 109.
- Stop 11 (City Square/Swanston Street) is serviced by routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72.
The closest train stations are Town Hall Station and Flinders St Station.
Parking
Wilson Parking and Secure Parking offer carparking nearby. Check their websites for more information.
Accessibility
The accessible entrance to Melbourne Town Hall is via the Copper Doors, Swanston Street Entrance (to the left of the main doors).
An accessible toilet is located on the Swanston Street ground level.
Queen Victoria Women's Centre
Located: 210 Lonsdale Street
Accessibility
For full accessibilty information please visit the QVWC website here.
Parking
A small number of curbside City of Melbourne parks are located in front of QVWC on Lonsdale St, with a larger volume of curbside and central parks found on Russel St proximate to Artemis Lane. Disabled parks are also located in these bays.
Long term parking is located underneath Queen Victoria Women’s Centre in the Wilson’s Car Park. Access is via Lonsdale, Russel or Little Lonsdale St. $23 all day with >$1 purchase from a selection of QV stores, or $20 weekend flat rate.
State Library Victoria
For more information, visit the State Library Victoria or contact the MWF ticketing team by emailing ticketing@mwf.com.au or calling (03) 9094 7871.
Located: 328 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
To access the Theatrette, enter the library via the La Trobe Street entrance and the theatrette will be immediately on your left.
To access the Conversation Quarter, enter the library via the main entrance and walk directly ahead towards the quad. The Conversation Quarter will be on your left.
To access the Create Quarter, enter the library via the main entrance and walk directly ahead towards the quad. The Conversation Quarter will be on your right.
Getting there
Public transport
Train – Melbourne Central station is directly opposite the Library's Swanston Street entrance. Country travellers can transfer to metropolitan trains at Southern Cross or North Melbourne stations.
Tram – Ten tram routes take you directly to our entrances on Swanston Street and La Trobe Street.
Bus – the nearest stops are in Lonsdale, Russell and Exhibition streets
See Public Transport Victoria for more information.
Bike
There are separated bike lanes in both directions on Swanston and La Trobe streets. You'll find bike racks on and near the corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets, Swanston and Little Lonsdale streets. See the City of Melbourne website for more information.
Car
The Library doesn't have on-site parking, but there is paid street parking on La Trobe Street and several pay car parks close by, including at Melbourne Central and QV. There are three parking spaces for people with a disability permit in La Trobe Street.
Parking
There are three two-hour disability-permit parking spaces in La Trobe Street, outside Mr Tulk.
There are two two-hour disability-permit parking spaces in Little Lonsdale Street, between Swanston and Russell streets (outside the Wheeler Centre).
Wheelchair-accessible entrances
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Swanston Street Welcome Zone: use the ramp at La Trobe Street, near the corner of Swanston Street.
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Russell Street Welcome Zone: use Entry 5 via La Trobe Street, near the corner of Russell Street.
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Conference Centre and State Library Victoria Theatrette: access via Entry 3 on La Trobe Street.
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Cafes: visit the SLV pop-up cafe via Entry 5, La Trobe Street. Enter Mr Tulk via the ramp at La Trobe Street, Entry 2.
Courtesy wheelchair
A courtesy wheelchair is available for visitors attending Library events and exhibitions. To book or make further inquiries, contact ticketing@mwf.com.au.
Moving within the library
Lifts provide access to the Gateway Zone and Cowen Gallery, The Ian Potter Queen's Hall, Dome Galleries, Redmond Barry Reading Room (except the mezzanine – please ask staff for assistance), La Trobe Reading Room and Heritage Collections Reading Room.
To see the layout of the Library, download this map.
Accessible bathrooms
There are accessible toilets in these Library spaces:
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Hansen Hall, just near the entrance to Mr Tulk, in the Swanston Street Welcome Zone on Level 2 (ground floor)
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Gateway, Level 2 (ground floor), adjacent to the lifts
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Russell Street Welcome Zone, via Entry 5 on La Trobe Street
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The Ian Potter Queen's Hall
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The Children's Quarter, Level 2 (ground floor), has joint facilities for carers and children.
Hearing Loop
The State Library Theatrette and Create Quarter have a permanent audio hearing loop set up.
To access the temporary hearing loop at the Conversation Quarter, please contact our ticketing team by emailing ticketing@mwf.com.au or calling (03) 9094 7871.
The Moat
Located: 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000 (Underneath The Wheeler Centre entrance)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Please call The Moat on 03 9094 7820, or look out for one of our MWF volunteers at the Little Lonsdale Street entrance.
A member of our team will meet you outside the venue and escort you into the venue.
Opening Hours and Menu
For more information please visit The Moat's website.
The Wheeler Centre
Located: 176 Little Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Please visit the Wheeler Centre for more information.
Vision Australia Library Kooyong
Located: 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong 3144
For more information on this venue, please visit the Vision Australia Library website.