Location: 100 St Kilda Rd, Southbank, Melbourne VIC 3004
Venue style: Symphony concert hall · 2,661 seats · home of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
History
Originally opened as the Melbourne Concert Hall in 1982, Hamer Hall was renamed in 2006 in honour of former Victorian Premier Rupert Hamer. A $135 million redevelopment completed in 2012 transformed its public spaces and improved its connection to the Southbank Promenade.
Visitor notes
Hamer Hall is the home of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra — check for pre-show dining packages.
Planning an evening at Hamer Hall
Hamer Hall sits at the heart of the Arts Centre Melbourne precinct on the banks of the Yarra, beneath the spire of the Theatres Building. That location shapes the whole experience of a night out here. You are a short walk from Flinders Street Station across Princes Bridge, and trams run along St Kilda Road right past the front doors. That makes public transport the easiest option on most concert nights, when the surrounding roads and car parks fill quickly.
Inside the hall
The auditorium is known for its warm, enveloping acoustic and its layered tiers of seating. The 2012 redevelopment refined the sound with new acoustic treatments and adjustable elements above the stage. The foyers were also opened up so they look out over the river and the city skyline. Arrive early enough to enjoy those spaces. The riverside levels are one of the best spots in Southbank for watching the city lights come on before a performance.
Beyond the symphony
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is the anchor tenant, but the programme is broad. Hamer Hall regularly hosts touring international artists, contemporary and popular music acts, film-with-live-orchestra screenings, comedy and festival events. It is worth browsing the official Arts Centre Melbourne listings rather than assuming every night is classical.
Practical tips
- Book ahead for popular concerts. Seat views and sound vary between the stalls and the upper circles, so check the seating map before you choose.
- Allow time for security and the cloaking queue, especially for sold-out shows.
- Make a day of it by pairing a concert with the NGV International next door or a stroll along the Southbank Promenade.
- Check accessibility details directly with the venue if you need step-free access, hearing assistance or companion seating.
If you prefer to start the evening in the city's smaller streets, our laneways guide suggests routes from the CBD that end at the river. For more performance spaces nearby, browse the rest of our places.