Bookstores in Melbourne
If you judge a town by its bookshops, Melbourne, VIC gives you 115 to judge by. That's 115 bookshops mapped around Melbourne, each with its own shelves and specialties. The used sections are where the real bargains hide. Staff picks shelves are the fastest way to read a shop's personality.
This guide covers every bookstore we could verify in and around Melbourne (within about 40 km), built from OpenStreetMap's community-maintained data. Names you'll run into include The Forbidden Chapter Bookstore Cafe and Avenue Bookstore, plus Central Catholic Bookshop. If a bookshop's missing from Melbourne's list, it probably just hasn't been mapped yet.
The Melbourne bookstore lineup
115 mapped within about 40 km — showing 60:
The Forbidden Chapter Bookstore Cafe
Bookstore
The Forbidden Chapter Bookstore Cafe — Bookstore on 453 Victoria Street. Also worth knowing about The Forbidden Chapter Bookstore Cafe: it has a website with more detail.
453 Victoria Street, 3055
Avenue Bookstore
Bookstore
Avenue Bookstore is Bookstore on 91 Swan Street. Avenue Bookstore also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
91 Swan Street, 3121
Phone: +61 3 8456 0627
Central Catholic Bookshop
Bookstore
Central Catholic Bookshop — Bookstore on 322 Lonsdale Street. Also worth knowing about Central Catholic Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 09:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30; it has a website with more detail.
322 Lonsdale Street
Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:30; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:30-16:30
Readings
Bookstore
Readings is Bookstore on 309 Lygon Street. Readings also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 09:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
309 Lygon Street
Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-22:00; Su 10:00-21:00
Phone: +61 3 9347 6633
Koorong
Bookstore
Koorong is Bookstore on 8 Vicki Street. Koorong also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-We, Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
8 Vicki Street
Hours: Mo-We, Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-21:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Phone: +61 3 9262 7444
The Haunted Bookshop
Bookstore
The Haunted Bookshop — Bookstore on 15 McKillop Street. Also worth knowing about The Haunted Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 12:00-17:00; Sa 12:00-15:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
15 McKillop Street, 3000
Hours: Mo-Fr 12:00-17:00; Sa 12:00-15:00
Phone: +61 3 9670 2585
Hill of Content
Bookstore
Hill of Content — Bookstore on 32 Bourke Street. Also worth knowing about Hill of Content: the map lists its hours as Mo 10:00-17:00; Tu-Th,Sa 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
32 Bourke Street
Hours: Mo 10:00-17:00; Tu-Th,Sa 10:00-18:00; Fr 10:00-19:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +61 3 9662 9472
Dymocks
Bookstore
Dymocks is Bookstore on 234 Collins Street. Dymocks also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
234 Collins Street, 3000
The Paperback
Bookstore
The Paperback is Bookstore on 60 Bourke Street. The Paperback also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
60 Bourke Street, 3000
Phone: +61 3 9662 1396
Academic Solutionz
Bookstore
Academic Solutionz — Bookstore.
Domain Books
Bookstore
Domain Books — Bookstore on 179 Domain Road. Also worth knowing about Domain Books: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
179 Domain Road
Phone: +61 3 9820 0300
Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller
Bookstore
Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about Kay Craddock Antiquarian Bookseller: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-16:00; Su,PH off; it has a website with more detail.
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-16:00; Su,PH off
Happy Valley
Bookstore
Happy Valley — Bookstore on 294 Smith Street. Also worth knowing about Happy Valley: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr,Su 11:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; it has a website with more detail.
294 Smith Street, 3066
Hours: Mo-Fr,Su 11:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
Alice & Co.
Bookstore
Alice & Co. is Bookstore on 159 Brunswick Street. Alice & Co. also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
159 Brunswick Street
Phone: +61 3 8060 5578
University Bookshop
Bookstore
University Bookshop — Bookstore.
Beaumaris Books
Bookstore
Beaumaris Books — Bookstore.
Hurstbridge Books, CDs and Videos
Bookstore
Hurstbridge Books, CDs and Videos is Bookstore.
Top Title Books
Bookstore
Top Title Books — Bookstore on Church Street.
Church Street
AllBooks4Less
Bookstore
AllBooks4Less — Bookstore.
Book Grocer
Bookstore
Book Grocer — Bookstore on 455 Bourke Street. Also worth knowing about Book Grocer: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
455 Bourke Street
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00; Su off
Phone: +61 3 9670 4304
The Leaf Bookshop
Bookstore
The Leaf Bookshop is Bookstore on 283A High Street.
283A High Street, 3147
New International Book Shop
Bookstore
New International Book Shop — Bookstore. Also worth knowing about New International Book Shop: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
Phone: +61 3 9662 3744
Embiggen Books
Bookstore
Embiggen Books is Bookstore on 197-203 Little Lonsdale Street. Embiggen Books also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
197-203 Little Lonsdale Street, 3000
Durance
Bookstore
Durance is Bookstore.
Australian Book Auctions
Bookstore
Australian Book Auctions is Bookstore on High Street.
High Street
Already Read Bookshop
Bookstore
Already Read Bookshop — Bookstore on 98 Scotchmer Street. Also worth knowing about Already Read Bookshop: it has a website with more detail.
98 Scotchmer Street, 3068
Coop
Bookstore
Coop — Bookstore.
Narre Warren North Newsagent
Bookstore
Narre Warren North Newsagent — Bookstore.
Reading
Bookstore
Reading is Bookstore.
Essendon 2nd Hand CDs Records & Books
Bookstore
Essendon 2nd Hand CDs Records & Books is Bookstore on 134-136 Pascoe Vale Road. Essendon 2nd Hand CDs Records & Books also notes on the map: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
134-136 Pascoe Vale Road
Phone: +61 3 9372 9100
Zagreb Croatian Bookshop
Bookstore
Zagreb Croatian Bookshop — Bookstore on 309 High Street. Also worth knowing about Zagreb Croatian Bookshop: the map lists its hours as Tu-Sa 10:00-17:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
309 High Street
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-17:30
Phone: +61 3 9484 7236
Social Club Books
Bookstore
Social Club Books — Bookstore.
Through the Looking Glass
Bookstore
Through the Looking Glass is Bookstore on 1669 Burwood Highway. Through the Looking Glass also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Th-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1669 Burwood Highway
Hours: Th-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 11:00-17:00
Phone: +61 3 9754 8029
Hylands Bookshop
Bookstore
Hylands Bookshop is Bookstore on 29-31 Heffernan Lane. Hylands Bookshop also notes on the map: it has a website with more detail.
29-31 Heffernan Lane, 3000
Robinsons
Bookstore
Robinsons is Bookstore.
Rainy Day Book Shop
Bookstore
Rainy Day Book Shop — Bookstore on 1301 Mountain Highway. Also worth knowing about Rainy Day Book Shop: the map lists its hours as Mo,We-Fr 11:00-15:00; Sa,Su 12:00-15:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
1301 Mountain Highway, 3154
Hours: Mo,We-Fr 11:00-15:00; Sa,Su 12:00-15:00
Phone: +61 3 9762 0862
Brunswick Bound
Bookstore
Brunswick Bound is Bookstore on 361 Sydney Road. Brunswick Bound also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
361 Sydney Road
Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00; Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +61 3 9381 4019
Books N Gifts Station
Bookstore
Books N Gifts Station — Bookstore.
Mavern
Bookstore
Mavern — Bookstore.
Golden Bowl Books
Bookstore
Golden Bowl Books is Bookstore on 280 Sydney Road. Golden Bowl Books also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; Mo closed; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
280 Sydney Road, 3058
Hours: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; Mo closed
Phone: +61 400 066 287
Tim's Bookshop Canterbury
Bookstore
Tim's Bookshop Canterbury is Bookstore on 143 Maling Road.
143 Maling Road, 3126
DUSA Book Shop
Bookstore
DUSA Book Shop is Bookstore.
Sun Bookshop
Bookstore
Sun Bookshop is Bookstore on 10 Ballarat Street. Sun Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Th 09:30-19:30; Fr-Sa 09:30-20:30; Su 09:30-17:30; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
10 Ballarat Street, 3013
Hours: Mo-Th 09:30-19:30; Fr-Sa 09:30-20:30; Su 09:30-17:30
Phone: +61 3 9689 0661
Avoca Hill Bookstore
Bookstore
Avoca Hill Bookstore is Bookstore on 80 Toorak Road.
80 Toorak Road, 3141
Readings
Bookstore
Readings is Bookstore on State Library of Victoria Swanson Street.
State Library of Victoria Swanson Street
Fairfield Books
Bookstore
Fairfield Books — Bookstore on 117A Station Street. Also worth knowing about Fairfield Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip.
117A Station Street, 3078
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-16:00
Phone: +61 3 9017 4748
Daisy Boots
Bookstore
Daisy Boots is Bookstore on 385 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. Daisy Boots also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Su 10:00-17:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
385 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road
Hours: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
Phone: +61 439 110 251
Pictures and Pages
Bookstore
Pictures and Pages — Bookstore.
Readings
Bookstore
Readings is Bookstore.
Readings Kids
Bookstore
Readings Kids — Bookstore on 315 Lygon Street. Also worth knowing about Readings Kids: a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
315 Lygon Street
Phone: +61 3 9341 7730
Tim's Bookshop
Bookstore
Tim's Bookshop is Bookstore on 129 High Street. Tim's Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-14:00; a phone number is listed — worth a call before a special trip; it has a website with more detail.
129 High Street
Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:30; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-14:00
Phone: +61 3 9853 5634
I Love Books
Used bookstore
I Love Books — Used bookstore. Also worth knowing about I Love Books: the map lists its hours as Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; PH closed; Su closed.
Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa 10:00-13:00; PH closed; Su closed
Xinhua Bookstore Melbourne
Bookstore
Xinhua Bookstore Melbourne — Bookstore.
Bookshop
Used bookstore
Bookshop is Used bookstore. Bookshop also notes on the map: the map lists its hours as Tu-Fr,Su 11:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00.
Hours: Tu-Fr,Su 11:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-17:00
Past Tense Books
Bookstore
Past Tense Books — Bookstore on 639 Mount Alexander Road.
639 Mount Alexander Road, 3039
Camberwell Books & Collectibles
Bookstore
Camberwell Books & Collectibles is Bookstore.
Old Books & Collectables
Bookstore
Old Books & Collectables — Bookstore.
Dymocks
Bookstore
Dymocks is Bookstore.
Seddon Book Alley
Bookstore
Seddon Book Alley — Bookstore on 107 Victoria Street. Also worth knowing about Seddon Book Alley: the map lists its hours as Th-Su 10:00-18:00+; it has a website with more detail.
107 Victoria Street, 3011
Hours: Th-Su 10:00-18:00+
World Food Books
Bookstore
World Food Books — Bookstore.
What the map tells us about bookstores in Melbourne
40 of the 115 list their opening hours on the map, which is genuinely useful — bookshops keep civilised hours, so the listed ones are usually reliable.
46 have websites listed. Worth a look for events — readings and signings get announced there first.
There's a cluster: 2 of them sit on Church Street, so you can string those into one walk and drive between the rest.
3 of the shops are tagged as selling used books — the second-hand shelves are where out-of-print gems and first editions turn up for pocket change.
The Melbourne bookstore crawl
The efficient Melbourne bookstore crawl strings these together: The Forbidden Chapter Bookstore Cafe on 453 Victoria Street, Avenue Bookstore on 91 Swan Street, Central Catholic Bookshop on 322 Lonsdale Street, Readings on 309 Lygon Street, Koorong on 8 Vicki Street, The Haunted Bookshop on 15 McKillop Street, Hill of Content on 32 Bourke Street, and Dymocks on 234 Collins Street — 115 stops, one logical order. 107 more are listed below.
Bookstore tips for Melbourne
The regulars' playbook for Melbourne's bookshops:
- Learn the remainders table at The Forbidden Chapter Bookstore Cafe. Publisher overstocks sold cheap. Great for gift buying — new books at used prices.
- Check the bargain carts outside at Avenue Bookstore. Sidewalk carts are the shop's clearance rack. A dollar a book, and the turnover is fast.
- Don't judge by the window display. The front table is marketing. The back shelves are the shop's real taste. Walk the whole floor.
- The used section is underpriced everywhere. Books are heavy and slow to sell, so used shelves price to move. First editions hide here regularly.
Good to know
We searched about 40 km around Melbourne — that covers the town itself plus the surrounding communities you'd reasonably drive to. Listings come from OpenStreetMap, mapped by local volunteers, so a brand-new bookstore in Melbourne can take a while to appear. The 115 above are only as current as the community map. A bookstore that's shut, or a new one nobody's added yet, gets fixed with a single OpenStreetMap edit.
We don't list prices — they change constantly and vary by edition. What we list is the where: real shops, verified by real mappers, in alphabetical order with no favourites.
If you run one of the 115 listed here and something's wrong — a closure, a move, new hours — the fix is the same: update the shop on OpenStreetMap and the correction flows through to this page on the next daily refresh.
Bookstore listings for Melbourne: 115 mapped from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors; individual photo credits appear in captions. Listing data was last refreshed automatically — verify hours before visiting.