Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s best urban exploration (urbex) locations, featuring abandoned hospitals, forgotten tunnels, and decaying industrial buildings. These places offer a glimpse into the city’s hidden past, attracting urban explorers, photographers, and history enthusiasts. Here are the top 5 urbex locations in Melbourne worth exploring.
1. Larundel Mental Asylum
🏥 Once a psychiatric hospital, Larundel Asylum was abandoned in the late 1990s, leaving behind empty patient rooms, graffiti-covered walls, and eerie underground hallways. Many claim the site is haunted, making it one of the most infamous urbex spots in Melbourne. While some sections have been redeveloped, parts of the old asylum remain untouched.
2. Flinders Street Station’s Hidden Tunnels
🚇 Beneath Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station, there are abandoned railway platforms, forgotten tunnels, and secret rooms that have remained unused for decades. These dark and dusty corridors provide a mysterious look into Melbourne’s underground rail history. Access is restricted, but glimpses of the old station remain visible in certain areas.
3. The Abandoned Sunbury Asylum
🏚️ Located on the outskirts of Melbourne, the Sunbury Asylum is one of the city’s most notorious abandoned mental hospitals. Built in the 1800s, this site was once home to thousands of patients before closing its doors. The remaining decaying buildings, rusted hospital beds, and long-abandoned hallways make it one of the creepiest urbex sites in the region.
4. The Old Clayton Railway Tunnels
🚂 Hidden beneath Melbourne’s suburbs, the abandoned railway tunnels near Clayton were once part of an old train line. Now, these dark, graffiti-covered tunnels are a popular spot for urban explorers looking for a mix of history, mystery, and underground adventure.
5. The Abandoned Nicholas Building
🏛️ Once a bustling commercial hub, the Nicholas Building in Melbourne’s CBD has parts of its upper floors left abandoned. The dusty staircases, forgotten offices, and eerie empty hallways create a unique time-capsule atmosphere. Though some floors are still in use, parts of the building remain untouched, giving it an old-world charm.
Conclusion
Melbourne is full of hidden urbex gems, from abandoned asylums to forgotten tunnels and ghostly railway stations. These locations offer a blend of history, decay, and mystery, making them fascinating places for urban explorers. However, always prioritize safety and legality when visiting these sites.
