The 13 coolest architectural buildings in Australia

Where: Carlton Gardens, VIC

This Carlton Gardens masterpiece is one of Melbourne’s prized possessions, and it’s easy to see why it’s the result of a winning design competition. Completed in 1880 by architect Joseph Reed, the Royal Exhibition Building is one of the world’s oldest standing pavilions of its kind. The spectacular establishment is breathtaking both inside and out, taking influence from Byzantine, Romanesque, Lombardic and Italian Renaissance design styles. A focal point of the Royal Exhibition Building is its central, grand dome inspired by European cathedrals – reaching a staggering height of 63 metres and decorated with intricate plasterwork. The nearby stained glass windows tie it all together just nicely. In this day and age, the building is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is employed for public events with the likes of community markets, galas and conventions.

Where: University of Canberra, ACT

Originally designed as a “portable” ski chalet by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen in the 1960s, this retro UFO pod now lives a second life at the University of Canberra as a study, meeting and tutorial space. Today, there are only around 50 known Futuro Houses left on Earth.

Where: Sydney, NSW

Coming in hot within the architecture world, we’ve got One Central Park in Sydney’s inner-city Chippendale. Ateliers Jean Nouvel is behind the two-towered design, which peaks at 117 metres and features 623 apartments, as well as a retail precinct at the base, an open-air cinema, plus the odd community market and music festival. Now, what’s so special about One Central Park? Well, the 2013 development features 250 species of Australian flowers and plants that intertwine between the building’s levels and grooves and boasts one of the world’s highest floating gardens. On top of that, a heliostat installation – motorised mirrors – reflects the sun’s rays directly down to Central Park’s gardens on ground-level, and shifts gears by night to create a spectacular LED chandelier of sorts. Not only does the building have a five-star Green Star rating, but One Central Park has also won multiple awards in terms of leading the way for sustainable architecture in Australia.

Where: Perth City, WA

Ah, the Bell Tower, Perth City’s landmark pride and joy that points to the stars and chimes sweet melodies across the Swan River waters. Standing at 82.5 metres, the glass and copper spire is complete with 18 bells, the majority of which are from Saint Martin-in-the-Fields Church in Trafalgar Square over in London. The 14th-century bells are impressive in their own right, but together, they form one of the largest musical instruments in the world – designed by local architect firm Hames Sharley, and officially opened to the public in 1999. The Barrack Square attraction isn’t just visually intriguing either – a tour of the structure’s innards offers up-close perspectives of the bell-ringing in action, as well as the opportunity to try your hand at some good old-fashioned tintinnabulation (bell-ringing). Not to mention divine sixth-level vistas across the mighty Swan River – it’s the whole package.

Where: Sydney Harbour, NSW

Sydney Harbour is not only famed for its appearance in Finding Nemo, it’s also home to the Sydney Opera House – quite possibly Australia’s most recognisable landmark. The functional performing arts centre casts a dramatic, jagged silhouette from the interlocking, shell-like facade that seamlessly rises 65 metres from the ground. The unique design is considered one of the greatest architectural works of the 20th century, earning Jørn Utzon’s 1973 creation a top spot in the UNESCO World Heritage list of buildings. The Sydney Opera House isn’t all about looks either – did you know that the clever design utilises seawater from the harbour to power both the cooling and heating? Jot that one down for trivia night!

Where: Brisbane, QLD

Sitting riverside on Brisbane’s South Bank lies QAGOMA – that’s the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), for those of us who are new here. Located within the Queensland Cultural Centre, the two institutions complement each other while showcasing different forms of art. On one hand, QAG takes on a modernist design by architect Robin Gibson and opened its doors in 1982, while GOMA leans into a contemporary design with plenty of geometric patterns by Sydney firm Architectus in 2006. Natural light takes centre stage in the QAGOMA buildings, as do vast public spaces that encourage community gatherings among the water features and green sustainability roofs – all of where sublime views of Brisbane’s skyline can be appreciated to the fullest.

Where: The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT

A standout in Canberra’s architectural scene is The Shine Dome – an eye-catching, head-scratching building that looks like it’s straight out of a sci-fi film. Situated at the Australian Academy of Science in suburban Acton, The Shine Dome – otherwise known as ‘Martian Embassy’ – predates staffed space travel and even the city’s Lake Burley Griffin, with construction wrapping up in 1959. The hemispherical building came to fruition thanks to architect Sir Roy Grounds, and plays host to scientific events and discussions. Such a daring structure came with its challenges, namely, how on earth to balance a 710-tonne concrete dome on just 16 narrow supports that descend into a moat. However, the stray from tradition paid off, and these days The Shine Dome is one of Australia’s most significant architectural landmarks.

Where: Perth City, WA

An office building by day, and a dazzling platform for light shows by night – why it’s Perth City’s Council House, of course. The 11-storey office building may be humble by size – but looks-wise, it boasts a largely glass facade, which at its 1962 completion date made it one of the first buildings in Australia to implement this modernist architectural style. Council House was dreamt up during an architectural competition by Jeffrey Howlett and Donald Bailey, and has since been awarded nationally and internationally as ‘reflecting the vision, prosperity and progress of Australia, post World War II’. But you know what they say – it’s what’s on the inside that really matters. Council House is doing the most when it comes to energy-efficient systems, implementing solar panels, water recycling and natural ventilation, to name a few – making this Perth City establishment a fine example of how modern architecture can gracefully adopt sustainability.

Where: Melbourne, VIC

In the unsuspecting south-eastern suburb of Narre Warren in outer Melbourne lies Bunjil Place, an arts and entertainment centre with the most. Designed by Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp and finalised in 2017, the site has since claimed a slew of international awards for its architectural brilliance – largely featuring a timber gridshell that lines both the interior and exterior of the complex. The multipurpose precinct pays homage to the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation – the traditional owners and inhabitants of the land – by incorporating themes inspired by late Aboriginal artist Cathy Adams’ painting, ‘The Meeting Of Many Paths’, and the Bunjil eaglehawk. The multipurpose precinct boasts an art gallery, a three-storey library, an 800-seat theatre, a public plaza, as well as a bar and café. Put your imagination to the test and see if you can spot the Bunjil eaglehawk’s wings in the timber lattice.

Where: Canberra, ACT

Located in the heart of our capital, the Australian War Memorial is a significant site dedicated to those who served Australia and lost their lives as a result of warfare. Designed by architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, the Canberra institution opened to the public in 1941 and remains grounds for a museum, research centre and national archive for Australian military history. The building itself implements an Art Deco style with Byzantine and Egyptian influences, and for the most part, utilises sandstone and marble, portraying a neutral yet grand facade. Complementing the Australian War Memorial’s grandeur is the gargantuan copper dome that rises above the new Main Entrance, which was unfurled in February, 2025. The latest design exhibits a mighty glass and steel oculus that allows visitors to marvel at the dome that sits above the Hall of Memory. 

Where: Adelaide, SA

It’s only fitting that Adelaide, aka the City of Churches, is home to one of Australia’s most impressive places of worship – St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. Sitting smack-bang in the city centre, the Roman Catholic cathedral is easy on the eyes with its Gothic Revival build of spires and local sandstone. 1851 saw construction commence, making the holy ground the oldest cathedral in Australia. However, St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral’s 36-metre tower wasn’t over and done with until 1996 – a mammoth 145 years later. Four different architects took on the top job over the years: Richard Lambeth, Charles Hansom, Peter Paul Pugin and Lynton Jury, but it wasn’t quite over yet. In 2015, a Casavant Frères pipe organ was transported from a church in Montreal, Canada, where it stood for 70 years strong, and subsequently installed during a nine-year transformation in the Adelaide Cathedral – all 3500 pipes and 16 tonnes of it.

Where: Melbourne, VIC

Want to know how it feels to be a mere ant navigating the world? Just go stand at the base of the Eureka Tower in Melbourne’s Southbank and marvel at the 297-metre construction. Largely an apartment complex, the tower is currently the third tallest building in Australia and is also home to the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck at 285 metres in the sky – there’s even a glass cube that extends three metres from the building's edge where you can experience suspension over the city streets. Architect Nonda Katsalidis is behind the looming skyscraper that was finalised back in 2006, taking inspiration from a revolt during the Victorian gold rush in 1854, the Eureka Stockade. Hints of the historic affair can be observed from afar, including the Tower’s gold crown, the notable red stripe symbolising the bloody feud, along with white horizontal bands that represent the markings of a surveyor's measuring staff. The more you know, eh?

Where: Canberra, ACT

Here we have yet another result of a winning competition entry – Canberra’s Parliament House. Mitchell/Giurgola and Thorp Architects are behind the most recent rendition, with construction launching in 1981 – which at the time was the most expensive building in the world, with a one billion dollar price tag, plus some. Fast forward to 1988 and the brand spanking new Parliament House was unveiled, highlighting two curved walls measuring a combined 920 metres in length. These partitions somewhat sink into the hillside, which gives the illusion that the building is emerging from the grassy landscape – visitors can actually explore the foliaged rooftop and, in turn, walk above the representatives – make of that what you will. While you’re up there, be awed by the 81-metre flagpole that carries a 22-kilogram national flag.