Whenever we head to a new city one of our first tasks is locating all the bookshops. Well, at least ONE good bookshop to be honest. As regular visitors to Victoria, knowing where the best bookshops in Melbourne are is important for our travels, so of course, this means I’ve created a list.
Did you know that Melbourne is a UNESCO City of Literature? Our family has a bookshop rule: entry equals purchase. This is especially important in Melbourne. We create book lists so we can hunt for particular books, however there is always magic in discovering a new author. Gosh, we really love books.
“Woke up this morning with a terrific urge to lie in bed all day and read.” Raymond Chandler
Your Guide to the BEST bookshops in Melbourne Victoria
Table of Contents
Dedicated Children’s Bookstores in Melbourne
Readings Kids
The Little Bookroom
Pictures and Pages
Escape Hatch Books
The Younger Sun
Our Favourite Victorian Bookshop
When Sunshine was little we discovered Squshy Minnie in Kyneton when home for the holidays. It quickly became our most favourite bookshop. We even order books directly so they can be sent home!
Melbourne Bookshops to Explore
Hill of Content
Opening back in 1922, the Hill of Content Bookshop is Melbourne’s oldest bookstore and stocks an array of books covering all genres. Staff are knowledgeable.
Opening Hours: Monday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm | Tuesday to Thursday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm | Friday 10.00 am to 7.00 pm | Saturday 10.00 am to 6.00 pm | Sunday 11.00 am to 6.00 pm | Closed on public holidays.
Address: 86 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Online store: hillofcontentbookshop.com
Paperback Books
Paperback Books is an independent bookshop in Melbourne that was established back in the early 1960s to stock paperback book editions not commonly available in Australia. These days they stoc an extensive selection of new release and backlist titles that cover a wide range of genres.
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9.30 am – 9.00 pm | Friday 9.30 am -10.00 pm | Saturday 11.00 am -10.00 pm | Sunday 12 noon – 7.00 pm | Public Holidays 12 noon – 7 pm
Address: 60 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000
Online store: paperbackbooks.com.au
Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookselllers
Kay Craddock and her family have been in th ebook business since the 60s. In 1990, the bookshop moved to its current location within the Neo-Gothic Assembly Hall building, at 156 Collins Street. The bookshop has an impressive but informal salon style and an open-door policy.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10.00 am – 6.00 pm | Saturday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Sunday Closed
Address: 156 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Online store: www.kaycraddock.com
Mary Martin Books
Established in 1945, Mary Martin Books is an independent Melbourne bookstore that continues the legacy of its namesake, Mary Martin aka little wren who wanted to create bookshops that were a second home for readers.
Winning the ABIA Independent Book Retailer of the Year in 2019, Mary Martin Books is passionate about literature and offers a diversity of books and gifts – even offering a cup of tea on occasion!
Opening Hours (Southbank): Monday to Thursday 10.30 am to 6.30 pm | Friday 10.30 am to 9.00 pm | Saturday 10.00 am to 10.00 pm | Sunday 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
Opening Hours (Port Melbourne): Monday – Friday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm | Saturday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm | Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Address: G17/3 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006 | 2/188 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, 3207
Online orders: www.marymartinbooks.com.au
Metropolis Bookshop
Specialising in graphic design, art, fashion, architecture & photography titles, Metropolis Bookshop was established in the 1990s and is hidden away on the third floor of Curtin House.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 11.00 am to 6.00 pm | Closed Sunday
Address: Curtin House, Level 3/252 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Online orders: metropolisbookshop.com.au
Readings Emporium
Readings is an independent retailer of books, music and film, with seven shops operating in Melbourne at Carlton, Doncaster, Hawthorn, Malvern, St Kilda, Emporium and the State Library Victoria – as well as a speciality children’s and young adult bookshop, also in Carlton.
Readings Kids in Carlton is one of our favourite Melbourne literary haunts. The gorgeous open-plan design from Nest Architecture is both playful and practical, and one wall features a stunning mural from children’s book illustrator and author Marc Martin.
Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10.00 am – 7.00 pm | Thursday and Friday 10.00 am to 9.00 pm | Saturday 10.00 am – 7.00 pm | Sunday 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
Address: Shop 1 – 016/287 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000 | 315 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053 | Westfield Doncaster, 619 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster 3108 | 701 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn 3122
Online orders: www.readings.com.au
The Little Bookroom
First opening its doors in 1960, The Little Bookroom is devoted solely to contemporary children’s literature and illustration. It is a place to find the perfect book for babies right through to teens, and even hosts Book Clubs each term for readers in grades 1&2, 3&4, 5&6 and High School.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9.00 am – 6.00 pm | Saturday 9.00 am 5.00 pm | Sunday 9.30 am – 4.00 pm (ish)
Address: 220 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
Online orders: www.littlebookroom.com.au
North Melbourne Books
North Melbourne Books is a small, local bookshop set in the heart of North Melbourne.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10.00 am – 5.30 pm | Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm | Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Closed Monday
Address: 546 Queensberry St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Online orders: northmelbournebooks.weebly.com
Brunswick Street Bookstore
Brunswick Street Bookstore is a traditional bookstore stocking new and past fiction and an extensive non fiction. They take pride in connecting passionate readers with engaging reads.
Opening Hours: Sunday to Tuesday 10.00 am – 7.00 pm | Wednesday to Friday 10.00 am – 8.00 pm | Public Holidays: 10.00 am – 7.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday
Address: 305 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Online orders: Brunswick Street Bookstore
Perimeter Books
Founded in 2011, Perimeter is a specialised bookstore, award-winning publisher, distribution house and platform for various art publishing endeavours in Melbourne. This Melbourne bookstore stocks a selective range of independently published books, editions and zines spanning photography, art, theory, text and the more lateral ends of design and architecture.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 11.00 am – 6.00 pm | Saturday 11.00 am – 5.00 pm
Address: 734 High St, Thornbury VIC 3071
Online orders: www.perimeterbooks.com
Pictures and Pages
Opening its doors in 2014 and specialising in Children’s Picture Books, Junior Readers, Young Adult Fiction, Graphic Novels and quality children’s gifts, Pictures and Pages is nestled in the heart of Foleys Mall Coburg and is a perfect spot to head with the kids.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm | Saturday – Sunday 10.00 am – 3.00 pm | Closed Pubic holidays | School Holiday Hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Address: Foley’s Mall, Shop 5/441 Sydney Rd, Coburg VIC 3058
Online orders: picturesandpages.com.au
Brunswick Bound
Stocking an eclectic range of books, vinyl, stationery and more, Brunswick Bound is a small bookshop who even have a Pay It Forward initiative in store.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00 am – 6.00 pm | Sunday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Address: 361 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Online orders: www.brunswickbound.com.au
Neighbourhood Books
Neighbourhood Books houses a range of new fiction, non-fiction and children’s books, prioritising local writers, artists and publishers.
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Friday 10.00 am – 6.00 pm | Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm | Sunday 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Address: 79 High St, Northcote VIC 3070
Online orders: www.neighbourhoodbooks.com
Eltham Bookshop
Eltham Bookshop exists to amplify the power of storytelling with an eye catching, thought-provoking curation of books, games and puzzles. Awarded the Australian Bookseller of the Year Award, Eltham Bookshop boasts a varied and eclectic mix of books on all topics under the sun.
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 9.00 am – 5.30 pm | Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Address: 970 Main Rd, Eltham VIC 3095
Online orders: elthambookshop.com.au
Coventry Bookstore
Coventry Bookstore is an independent Melbourne bookshop with a dedicated space for Children’s Books. Small, yet cosy, it is a lovely spot for a little book browsing.
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm | Saturday 9.00 am – 5.00 pm | Sundays and Public Holidays 10.00 am – 4.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday
Address: 265 Coventry St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Online orders: mylocalbookshop.com.au
Avenue Bookstore
Awarded the 2022 Australian Bookshop of the Year, Avenue Bookstore has been in the book selling game for almost 40 years and has become a popular book haven for readers. The store’s children’s sections is jam-packed with the best picture books, board books and novels for all ages.
Opening Hours: normally open from 9am to 6pm every day
Address: 351 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwisk | 127 Dundas Place, Albert Park | 91 Swan St, Richmond
Online orders: avenuebookstore.com.au
Ulysses Bookstore
Ulysses Bookstore is built on the love of books, one woman’s dream that came to life. It has bloomed into a modern, independent bookstore with a large children’s section located in the bayside suburb of Hampton, Melbourne.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Sunday 11:00 am – 3:00 pm | Closed Public Holidays
Address: Shop 1 498 Hampton St Hampton 3188
Online orders: ulyssesbookstore.com.au
Hares and Hyenas
Founded in 1991, Hares & Hyenas specialises in queer identity, sexuality, sex and gender diversity.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 5:30pm | Sunday 11.30am to 5:30pm
Address: 79 – 81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
Online orders: www.hares-hyenas.com.au
The Grumpy Swimmer
The Grumpy Swimmer was named after a friend who became unhappy with the suggestions for the bookshop’s name, and left the discussion unhappy for a swim instead. This book shop is visually stunning, beaconing all readers from the street curb to come inside and find their latest read.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Address: 110 Ormond Rd, Elwood VIC 3184
Online orders: thegrumpyswimmer.com.au
The Leaf Bookshop
The Leaf Bookshop provides a warm and friendly atmosphere for book lovers of all ages, a place of refuge or reflection for some, a place of magic and of mystery for others, but for all of us, the starting point of a great new adventure.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm | Sundays 11.00am to 3.00pm
Address: 3/283 High St, Ashburton VIC 3147
Online orders: leafbookshop.com.au
Avoca Hill Bookstore
Avoca Hill Bookstore is a small, independent bookstore located in a beautiful patch of Toorak Road directly opposite Avoca Street in South Yarra. Their staff members are all passionate about books and are always willing to help you find the perfect book for your needs.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm | closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Good Friday
Address: 80 Toorak Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141
Online orders: avocahill.com.au
Our Bookshop
Our Bookshop Hawksburn provides a wide range of books with an emphasis on new fiction, biographies, coffee table and children’s books.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm | Sunday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm
Address: 513 Malvern Rd, Toorak VIC 3142
Online orders: ourbookshophawksburn.com.au
Jeffreys Books
As one of Melbourne’s longest standing Bookshops, Jeffreys Books has become a local institution with a fantastic range from new release fiction to business and science. Childrens through to cooking. Their greeting card range is pretty special too!
Opening Hours: Monday – Thursday 9.00am – 5.30pm | Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm | Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm | Sunday 10.00am – 5.00pm | Public Holiday 10.00am – 4.00pm
Address: 140 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern VIC 3144
Online orders: www.jeffreysbooks.com.au
Benn’s Books
For almost fifty years, Benn’s Books has been curating a vast range of titles to fill their shelves. Their fiction section offers something for everyone, including crime, fantasy, the classics, as well as all the latest titles. There are literally thousands of titles from small limited editions to must read best sellers to choose from.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.00pm | Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm | Sundays and Public Holidays 10.00am to 4.00pm
Address: 437 Centre Rd, Bentleigh VIC 3204
Online orders: www.bennsbooks.com.au
Farrell’s Bookshop
A mainstay in the Mornington community for over 40 years, Farrell’s Bookshop is a bounty of literary finds including regular author talks.
Opening Hours: xMonday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm | Saturdays 9.00am to 4.00pm | Sundays 10.00am to 3.00pm
Address: 143 Main St, Mornington VIC 3931
Online orders: www.farrells.com.au
Thesaurus Books
At over 40 years of age and boasting a wide range of children’s and adult titles, Thesaurus has become a literary oasis for discerning book buyers in Melbourne’s southern suburbs.
Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm | Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Address: 29 Church St, Brighton VIC 3186
Online orders: Thesaurus Books
Top Titles
Whilst this store may look small from the street, upon the shelves at Top Titles Book Store you will find a comprehensive and carefully selected range of titles across all genres.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm | Saturday 9.00 am to 6.00pm | Sunday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm
Address: Shop 3 Dendy Plaza,26 Church St, Brighton VIC 3186
Online orders: www.toptitles.com.au
Escape Hatch Books
Escape Hatch Books is an independent bookshop that specialises in books for children and sets out to appeal to their inquisitive minds.
Address: 9 Strathalbyn St, Kew East VIC 3102
Online orders: escapehatchbooks.com.au
The Sun Bookshop
Tucked into the gorgeous art deco Sun Theatre building and operating for over 20 years, the Sun Bookshop is packed with well-chosen fiction, biography, history, travel, science and crime – and a great collection of beautiful art, photography and craft books.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 7.00pm | Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm | Sunday 9.30am to 4.00pm
Address: 10 Ballarat Street, Yarraville VIC 3013
Online orders: sunbookshop.com
The Younger Sun
Born in 2007, The Younger Sun is a specialist Children’s Bookshop and one of our favourite places to head when we are in Melbourne. You can find this wonderful spot directly opposite The Sun bookstore.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6.00pm | Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm | Sunday 9.30am to 4.00pm
Address: 26 Murray Street, Yarraville VIC 3013
Online orders: sunbookshop.com
Seddon Book Alley
Beginning as a pop up shop, Seddon Book Alley morphed into a permanent bookshop housing everything from children’s books to biographies, art, and top-selling Australian and international crime and fiction.
Opening Hours: Open Friday to Sunday from 10.00am
Address: 107 Victoria St, Seddon VIC 3011
Online orders: seddonbookalley.com.au
The Chestnut Tree
The Chestnut Tree is Australia’s first environmentally sustainable, independent bookshop. Each book sold is one tree planted.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00am to 5.00pm | Sunday – Monday 10:00am to 4.00pm
Address: 542 Barkly St, West Footscray VIC 3012
Online orders: thechestnuttree.com.au