Are you a music lover looking for the best place to enjoy live performances in Melbourne? Do you want to experience the stunning architecture and design of a cultural icon? Do you want to discover the history and stories behind one of the most celebrated venues in Australia? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to visit Hamer Hall, Melbourne's premier concert venue.
Hamer Hall is a multi-level auditorium that hosts a variety of musical genres and styles, ranging from jazz, rock, pop, multicultural, chamber, classical, cabaret, and contemporary music. It is also the home of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and a preferred venue for the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, and Melbourne Theatre. Whether you are a fan of classical or contemporary music, you will find something to suit your taste and mood at Hamer Hall.

But Hamer Hall is more than just a concert venue. It is also a masterpiece of design and architecture, inspired by Australia's gemstone deposits and influenced by the contrasting thematics of Roy Grounds and John Truscott. In 2012, Hamer Hall underwent a major renovation and transformation by ARM Architecture, with the mission and vision to open up the venue, integrate it with the river, and make it a 21st Century venue. The result is a stunning and spectacular facade, foyer, auditorium, lighting, acoustics, and public art that will leave you in awe.
In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about Hamer Hall, from its history and architecture, to its events and performances, to its facilities and services. We will also share some tips and recommendations on how to plan your visit and enjoy your time at Hamer Hall. Whether you are a local or a tourist, a solo traveller or a family, a first-timer or a regular, you will find something to love and appreciate about Hamer Hall.
History and Architecture of Hamer Hall
Hamer Hall was originally named the Melbourne Concert Hall, and it was opened in 1982 as part of the Arts Centre precinct. It was renamed in 2004 in honour of Sir Rupert Hamer, the former premier of Victoria, who was instrumental in the development of the Arts Centre and the cultural life of Melbourne.
The original design and architecture of Hamer Hall was inspired by Australia's gemstone deposits, and it was influenced by the conflicting thematics of Roy Grounds and John Truscott. Roy Grounds was the architect who designed the Arts Centre, and he envisioned a geometric and minimalist style for the concert hall. John Truscott was the designer who decorated the interior of the concert hall, and he envisioned a lavish and opulent style with gold and velvet. The result was a unique and distinctive combination of shapes, colours, and textures that reflected the diversity and richness of Australian culture.
In 2012, Hamer Hall underwent a major renovation and transformation by ARM Architecture, with the mission and vision to open up the venue, integrate it with the river, and make it a 21st Century venue. The project involved creating a new facade, foyer, auditorium, lighting, acoustics, and public art that would enhance the user experience and engagement, as well as the environmental sustainability and accessibility of the venue. The new design features and elements include:

- A new facade that wraps around the building, creating a dynamic and interactive surface that responds to the changing light and weather conditions. The facade is made of glass, steel, and LED lights, and it displays various patterns and colours that reflect the mood and theme of the events and performances inside the hall.
- A new foyer that connects the hall with the river, creating a spacious and inviting area that welcomes the visitors and offers them a panoramic view of the city and the water. The foyer also features a new cafe, a new bar, a new shop, and a new cloakroom, as well as new artworks and exhibitions that showcase the history and stories of Hamer Hall and its performers.
- A new auditorium that improves the sound quality and clarity of the hall, creating a more immersive and intimate acoustic experience for the audience and the performers. The auditorium also features new seats, new carpets, new curtains, and new lighting, as well as new artworks and sculptures that adorn the walls and the ceiling of the hall.
- A new lighting system that illuminates the hall and the facade, creating a more vibrant and colourful atmosphere that enhances the visual appeal and the mood of the venue. The lighting system also allows for more flexibility and creativity in the design and presentation of the events and performances, as well as the public art and the facade.
- A new acoustics system that optimises the sound distribution and balance of the hall, creating a more consistent and harmonious acoustic environment that suits the different musical genres and styles that are performed at the hall. The acoustics system also allows for more control and adjustment of the sound levels and effects, as well as the recording and broadcasting of the events and performances.
- A new public art program that commissions and displays various artworks and installations that celebrate and reflect the cultural and artistic diversity and identity of Melbourne and Australia. The public art program also engages and interacts with the visitors and the community, inviting them to participate and contribute to the creation and appreciation of the artworks.

Events and Performances at Hamer Hall
Hamer Hall is a popular destination for music lovers and cultural enthusiasts, as it hosts a variety of musical genres and styles, ranging from jazz, rock, pop, multicultural, chamber, classical, cabaret, and contemporary music. Whether you are a fan of classical or contemporary music, you will find something to suit your taste and mood at Hamer Hall.
Hamer Hall is also the home of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and a preferred venue for the Australian Ballet, Opera Australia, and Melbourne Theatre. These are some of the most renowned and respected companies and performers in Australia and the world, and they offer a high-quality and diverse range of events and performances throughout the year. Whether you are looking for a symphony, a ballet, an opera, or a theatre, you will find something to delight and inspire you at Hamer Hall.

Some of the notable and memorable events and performances that have taken place at Hamer Hall include:
- The opening concert of Hamer Hall in 1982, featuring the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras and attended by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
- The 40th anniversary celebration of Hamer Hall in 2023, featuring a series of concerts, events, and activities that commemorated the history and achievements of the venue and its performers, as well as invited the public to share their stories and memories of the venue.
- The special guests and collaborations that have graced the stage of Hamer Hall, such as Elton John, Sting, Kylie Minogue, Hugh Jackman, Tim Minchin, Neil Finn, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Ben Folds, kd lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, Joshua Bell, Andrea Bocelli, Placido Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and many more.
You can find and book tickets for the upcoming events and performances at Hamer Hall by visiting the official website of the Arts Centre Melbourne, or by calling the box office at (03) 9281 8000. You can also subscribe to the newsletter or follow the social media accounts of the Arts Centre Melbourne to stay updated on the latest news and offers.
When you attend an event or a performance at Hamer Hall, you can expect a world-class and unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe and admiration. You can also enjoy the stunning views of the city and the river from the foyer, or have a drink or a snack at the cafe or the bar before or after the show. You can also explore the artworks and exhibitions that are displayed in the foyer and the facade, or take a souvenir or a gift from the shop. You can also take advantage of the assistive hearing system that enhances the sound quality and clarity for the audience, or the cloakroom that stores your belongings for free.

Facilities and Services at Hamer Hall
Hamer Hall offers a range of facilities and services that make your visit more comfortable and convenient. These include:
- The assistive hearing system that enhances the sound quality and clarity for the audience, especially for those who have hearing difficulties or impairments. The system uses infrared technology to transmit the sound from the stage to the headphones or the neck loops that are provided by the venue. You can borrow the headphones or the neck loops for free from the cloakroom, or you can bring your own if they are compatible with the system. You can also adjust the volume and the balance of the sound according to your preference and comfort.
- The Terrace cafe that serves a variety of drinks and snacks, such as coffee, tea, wine, beer, soft drinks, sandwiches, salads, cakes, and pastries. The cafe is located on level 3 of the foyer, and it is open from one hour before the show until the end of the interval. You can also pre-order your drinks and snacks online or by phone, and collect them from the cafe during the interval. You can also enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the river from the cafe, or sit outside on the terrace if the weather is nice.
- The Gardens shop that sells a variety of souvenirs and gifts, such as books, CDs, DVDs, posters, postcards, magnets, keyrings, mugs, t-shirts, hats, bags, and jewellery. The shop is located on Sure, I will continue the article from where I left off. Here is the rest of the article:
- The parking and public transport options that make your travel to and from Hamer Hall easy and convenient. You can park your car at the Arts Centre Melbourne car park, which is located on Sturt Street, and offers a flat rate of $26 for up to 12 hours. You can also pre-book your parking online or by phone, and save up to 40% on the regular rate. You can also take the public transport to Hamer Hall, as it is well-connected by tram, train, and bus. You can take the tram routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, or 72, and get off at stop 14 on St Kilda Road, which is right in front of the Arts Centre. You can also take the train to Flinders Street Station, which is a 10-minute walk from Hamer Hall. You can also take the bus routes 216, 219, or 220, and get off at the Arts Centre stop on St Kilda Road.

Conclusion
Hamer Hall is a must-see attraction for anyone who loves music, culture, and design. It is a premier concert venue that offers a variety of musical genres and styles, as well as a masterpiece of design and architecture that showcases the history and identity of Melbourne and Australia. It is also a welcoming and accessible venue that provides a range of facilities and services that make your visit more comfortable and convenient.
Hamer Hall is located at 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia. You can also contact them by email at info@artscentremelbourne.com.au.
Thank you for reading this article, and we hope you enjoy your visit to Hamer Hall. Hamer Hall is more than just a concert venue. It is a place where music, culture, and design come together to create a memorable and unforgettable experience. Hamer Hall is a place where you can discover, enjoy, and celebrate the best of Melbourne and Australia. Hamer Hall is a place where you can feel at home.