Royal Exhibition Building

The magnificent Royal Exhibition Building was completed in 1880 in time to host Melbourne’s first International Exhibition.

The first exhibition was a huge success, over 8 months attracting over one million people to the eight hectares of exhibitions. The cultural, industrial and technological achievements of more than 30 nations were proudly displayed to a public thirsting for information and new ideas. A second exhibition took place in 1888 when the Melbourne Centennial Exhibition was held to promote the centenary of European settlement in Australia [1788].