The 14 Coolest Libraries To Visit In Australia

These Australian libraries are not just serving books, they’re serving looks.

As far as options go, bookworms in Australia have it pretty good. We’ve got a generous selection of cute bookstores, an array of exceptionally talented Aussie authors and even a self-guided trail dedicated just to reading. We’ve also got some wickedly good libraries, which often fly under the radar.

But as many bookish people know, the library is one of the most underrated places you can visit, whether you’re a reader or not. From award-winning architectural buildings to small community hubs and everything in between, we’ve found some of the coolest libraries in Australia.

1. Katoomba Library, NSW

Only a short drive from Sydney, the stunning Blue Mountains region is full of things to do. But you’ll want to put aside an hour or two for a visit to the local library in Katoomba . Sitting in the heart of town, it’s a beautiful place to disconnect for a while.

When designing the library, CK Design International ensured the building was fit with sufficient thermal mass, so it’s one of the cosiest places to be during winter. Nothing beats grabbing a good book and sitting in the lounging mezzanine, which offers incredible views across the mountains.

Inside Katoomba Library in Katoomba, Blue Mountains, NSW — Head to the second floor for views over the Blue Mountains. (Image: Blue Mountains City Library)

Address: 30 Parke St, Katoomba

2. Payinthi – Prospect Public Library, SA

In 2019, a cool $18 million was injected into the development of Payinthi in Adelaide’s north . And it’s been well worth it; the hub has gone on to become an important beacon for the community. Payinthi is part library, part art gallery, part retail precinct and part cafe – the perfect day out!

The concept is the brainchild of local architecture firm JPE Design Studio. Inside, books live among colourful murals, modern flourishes and heritage brickwork thanks to the fully integrated, heritage-listed Town Hall next door. Come for the cool architecture, stay for the good books.

Exterior of Payinthi – Prospect Public Library in SA — Payinthi – Prospect Public Library is the perfect day out. (Image: JPE Design Studio)

Address: 128 Prospect Rd, Prospect

3. National Library of Australia, ACT

This list wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the National Library of Australia in Canberra. The huge building sits in close proximity to Lake Burley Griffin and Old Parliament House, making it the perfect pit-stop for those wanting to see the sites in Australia’s capital.

But it’s what’s inside that will entice you to visit. In the hopes of preserving national history and culture, the National Library is home to the largest collection of material relating to Australia and the Australian people in the world. Opened by then Prime Minister John Gorton in 1968, it’s a must for history buffs.

The National Library of Australia in Canberra, ACT — The National Library of Australia is surrounded by stunning sculptures. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: Parkes Pl W, Canberra

4. Ruth Faulker Library, WA

Head to the picturesque Faulkner Park in the Perth suburb of Cloverdale and you’ll stumble upon Ruth Faulkner Library . You’ll probably spot it before you even enter the park though, thanks to its striking and intricate facade by Bollig Design Group.

The building itself is located within Faulkner Park Civic Precinct’s Belmont Hub, putting it within arm’s reach of other great community spaces. Pop next door to the state-of-the-art museum or sit in the park with your recently borrowed reads to soak in the sun.

Ruth Faulkner Library in Perth, WA — The stunning Ruth Faulker Library is located within the Belmont Hub.

Address: 213 Wright St, Cloverdale

5. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, Vic

Resembling a futuristic museum more than a city library, the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre is an architectural feat. The dome-shaped building with glass panelling is already photo-worthy, but head inside and you’ll be wowed all over again.

From a sleek and chic lobby to a room fully clad in red (from the carpet to the walls, the bookshelves to the chairs), it’s one of the coolest places to sit with a book. Melbourne-based ARM Architecture designed the building to pay homage to traditional libraries while creating a future-oriented space.

Geelong Library & Heritage Centre in Geelong, Victoria — The building was designed by local firm ARM Architecture.

Address: 51 Little Malop St, Geelong

6. Mona Library, Tas

You may not be able to borrow books from the Mona Library , but it’s still a must-see when visiting Hobart. Why you may ask? Well, because you can browse the owner’s entire collection of books, of course!

David Walsh, owner of the Museum of Old and New Art, has put his beloved books on display for the public. Housed in an extension of the Round House, Mona Library boasts rare editions, signed copies, coffee-table books and celebrated classics, all under one roof. When you finish browsing, pop into Mona – it’s one of many must-do activities in Hobart.

Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) in Hobart, Tasmania — You’ll find Walsh’s book collection inside Mona. (Image: Jesse Hunniford)

Address: 655 Main Rd, Berriedale

7. Woollahra Library, NSW

Much like a well-loved cafe or shop, there’s a queue at the door before Woollahra Library in Sydney’s Double Bay opens each day. But it’s not because there’s something to be purchased here, people just want to exist in this quiet, calming space.

Designed by BVN, the library is full of greenery. It’s a metaphor for growth and a nod to the site’s previous iteration as a heritage garden, from dangling vines of Devil’s ivy to ferns tucked beside bookshelves. The best part? There’s a hidden slippery slide inside, see if you can find it!

Inside Woollahra Library, Double Bay in Sydney, NSW — The interiors are designed to feel like a garden. (Image: Amy Piddington)

Address: 1/451 New South Head Rd, Double Bay

8. Craigieburn Library, Vic

At Craigieburn Library on Melbourne’s outskirts , it’s all about natural light. A wall of double-height, two-storey windows welcomes the outside world in. Completed by architecture firm fjcstudio , the idea was to blend the building into its surroundings and connect it with the natural environment.

Sit on one of the north-facing balconies with a book in the sun, hang out at the cafe downstairs or get a cultural fix at the onsite art gallery. There’s also a childcare centre and computer training centre, making it a hive of learning with a community-driven focus.

Craigieburn Library in Melbourne, Victoria — The library was completed by architecture firm fjcstudio.

Address: 75-95 Central Park Ave, Craigieburn

9. City of Perth Library, WA

You can’t go to the Western Australian capital without dropping by the futuristic-looking City of Perth Library . Sitting near Perth Town Hall in the newly refurbished Cathedral Square, it’s a quiet reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city while still being a beautiful place to visit.

Known among Perth locals as an icon of the city, the library was designed by Kerry Hill Architects and opened in 2015. It has since gone on to attract over one million visitors, which is enough proof I need to add it to the bucket list.

City of Perth Library in Perth, WA — The library has gone on to welcome over one million visitors.

Address: 573 Hay St, Perth

10. State Library of Queensland, Qld

It’s high time a state library got a mention! We all knew it was coming; Australia is home to numerous stunning state libraries, with one of the best being the State Library of Queensland . It’s been a stalwart of Brisbane since it opened to the public in 1902 (it was established privately in 1896).

There’s always plenty going on here, too. From art exhibitions to reading groups, this beautiful library is always welcoming locals and tourists through its doors. It’s worth just popping in for some peace and quiet, with great views across the Brisbane River and city.

The State Library of Queensland in Brisbane, Qld — The library was opened to the public in 1902. (Image: Wojtek Gurak)

Address: Cultural Precinct, Stanley Pl, South Brisbane

11. State Library of South Australia, SA

A well-loved icon of Adelaide’s cityscape, the State Library of South Australia has been serving the public since 1884. And with its wrought-iron balustrades, heavy wooden bookshelves and medieval-looking columns, it looks straight out of Hogwarts.

There’s so much to be seen here that you can even take a one-hour guided tour with one of the library’s passionate volunteers. Or opt to visit during an exhibition or event. Either way, this is a place that should definitely be on your list of things to do when visiting Adelaide.

The State Library of South Australia in Adelaide, SA — The interiors of the State Library look straight out of Hogwarts. (Image: Jake Wundersitz)

Address: Corner of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, Adelaide

12. Marrickville Library, NSW

If you live in Sydney, you’ve at least heard of it. If you live in Sydney and love books, you’ve definitely visited. Of course, we’re talking about Marrickville Library in Sydney’s inner west.

The library, which was designed by Australian firm BVN, has won multiple awards over the years, and it’s not hard to see why. The building itself is worth a visit, but add in the flower-studded courtyard and onsite cafe serving up mean menu delights and it’s easy to spend all day here.

Marrickville Library exterior — Marrickville Library has won multiple awards over the years.

Address: 313 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville

13. Bunjil Place Library, Vic

Bunjil Place is a vibrant community hub in Casey, an outer south-eastern suburb of Melbourne. Not only is it home to the local library, but you’ll find a function centre, theatre, study, gallery and cafe onsite, as well as a public plaza connecting it all.

Unlike other communal facilities that often physically divide people by interest or culture, Bunjil Place has been designed by fjcstudio to bring people together. The library is a wonderful example of this, with plenty of wide-open spaces and natural light. Plus, what unites people more than a shared love of books?

Inside Bunjil Place Library in Narre Warren, Victoria — Bunjil Place has become a vibrant community hub. (Image: Helen K)

Address: 1A/2 Patrick NE Dr, Narre Warren

14. Alice Springs Public Library, NT

Look up the definition of community in the dictionary and it may just read: Alice Springs Public Library . Near the Todd River and in close proximity to Olive Pink Botanic Garden, this little library may be small in stature, but it’s big in delivery. It’s a place for people to come together and learn, play, grow and belong.

One length of the library wall is covered in All them Tourists goin’ to look at Countryside, a hand-painted mural by talented Luritja/Pitjantjatjara artist Billy Tjampijinpa Kenda. Part of an incredible public art trail through town, it’s not to be missed.

Alice Springs Public Library exterior — Alice Springs Public Library is a place for people to come together and learn, play, grow and belong.

Address: Corner of Gregory Terrace and Leichhardt Terrace, Alice Springs

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Victoria’s sweeping landscapes hold stories far older than any road map can trace – stories etched into stone, sung through generations and woven into every bend of river and rise of hill. From the lava flows of Budj Bim to the ancient middens of Moyjil/Point Ritchie and the volcanic crater of Tower Hill, the state is home to some of the most significant First Peoples cultural sites in Australia. These places, along with other immersive experiences, offer not only a window into a 60,000-year legacy, but a profound way of understanding Country itself. As more travellers seek connection over checklists, guided tours by Traditional Owners offer respectful, unforgettable insights into a living culture that continues to shape the land and the people who walk it.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Venture beyond the surf and sand of the Great Ocean Road to discover a deeper story etched into the volcanic landscape. At Budj Bim , ancient aquaculture channels built by the Gunditjmara people to trap, store and harvest kooyang (short-finned eel) reveal one of the world’s oldest living cultures. While you’re in the area, head over to the state-of-the-art Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre, where you can observe the eels in a special tank, wander the shores of Tae Rak (Lake Condah), and enjoy a bite at the Bush Tucker Cafe. Also nearby is Tower Hill, a dormant volcano reborn as a wildlife reserve, offering trails through bushland teeming with emus and koalas.

eel tank — The kooyang (eel) tank at Tae Rak. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Dumawul walkingtour — Guests are guided through Kooyoora State Park on the Dumawul walking tour. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Step into a timeless landscape with Dumawul’s guided tour through Kooyoora State Park, around an hour’s drive west of Bendigo in north-central Victoria. Led by Djaara guides, this immersive half-day journey breathes life into Country, weaving together stories, bush tucker and ancient rock art. Known to the Dja Dja Wurrung people as Guyura – the ‘mountain of light’ – this dramatic granite range is rich with cultural and spiritual significance. The adventure begins with a meet-up at the Bridgewater Hotel on the banks of the Loddon River, before guests are welcomed onto Country with a traditional Smoking Ceremony – a powerful ritual that honours ancestors and cleanses those who walk the land. From there, it’s a gentle wander through rugged outcrops and open bushland, with sweeping vistas unfolding at every turn. Along the way, guides share their knowledge of how the Dja Dja Wurrung peoples have cared for and adapted with this land for generations, offering a rare and moving window into an ancient way of life that continues to thrive today.

Kooyoora walking tour — Knowledge of the Dja Dja Wurrung is shared on the trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Kingfisher Cruises

Glide quietly through the Barmah-Millewa forest – the nation’s largest river red gum ecosystem – on a scenic journey along the Murray River and into the Barmah Lakes with Kingfisher Cruises . Led by passionate guides who share stories of the cultural significance of this ancient landscape, these cruises reveal the stories, totems and traditional knowledge of the Yorta Yorta people. As you navigate narrow waterways and spot native birds, you’ll gain a richer understanding of how First Peoples have lived in harmony with this floodplain for tens of thousands of years. It’s a gentle, immersive experience that leaves a lasting impression – one where every bend in the river carries echoes of culture, connection and Country.

wawa biik

Exploring Nagambie with Taungurung leaders. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Translating to ‘hello, Country’ in the language of the First Nations People and Custodians of the rivers and mountains of Taungurung Country in Central Victoria, wawa biik guides a range of authentic and deeply immersive experiences. Leaving from either Nagambie or Euroa, the tours are woven with ancient stories of the Taungurung, telling how a sustained connection and responsibility ensures the continued health of biik – benefitting the people, animals and plants that live in and around the Goulburn River. During the wawa Nagambie experience, guests participate in a Welcome Smoking Ceremony, and enjoy lunch and conversation with two Taungurung leaders as they cruise through the wetlands of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes). The 4.5-hour tour begins at Tahbilk Winery, which is set in the wetlands of Nagambie on Taungurung Country and collaborates with Taungurung Elders to share knowledge of biik.

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Cape Conran on the Bataluk Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria)

The Bataluk Cultural Trail winds through East Gippsland like a thread stitching past to present, tracing the deep connection between the Gunaikurnai people and their land. Starting at the Knob Reserve in Stratford, visitors walk among scarred trees and ancient stone tools once used for survival and ceremony. At the Den of Nargun near Mitchell River, the earth holds stories of women’s sacred spaces, cloaked in myth and legend. Further along, Legend Rock at Metung tells of greed and consequence, its surface etched with ancient lore. At Cape Conran, shell middens lie scattered like breadcrumbs of history – 10,000 years of gatherings, stories and saltwater songs still echoing in the wind.

Healesville Sanctuary

Set on the historic grounds of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station, Healesville Sanctuary honours the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation through immersive storytelling and connection to Country. Along Wurundjeri Walk, visitors are invited to reflect on the land’s rich First Peoples history, with native plants revealing their traditional uses. Wurundjeri Elder and educator Murrundindi shares culture in-person with the Wominjeka Aboriginal Cultural Experience every Sunday, and most days during Victorian school holidays. Murrundindi’s smoking ceremonies, storytelling and bush tucker knowledge reveal the sacred relationship between people, animals and the environment. Bird-lovers can’t miss the incredible Spirits of the Sky show featuring native birds daily at 12pm and 3pm.

The Grampians

Known as Gariwerd to Traditional Owners, the Grampians is a place of immense cultural and spiritual significance. This rugged landscape holds more than 80 per cent of Victoria’s known First Peoples rock art, offering a powerful window into the region’s deep heritage. Visitors can respectfully explore five remarkable rock art sites: Billimina and Ngamadjidj in the Wartook Valley, Manja Shelter near Hamilton, Gulgurn Manja shelter near Laharum, and the Bunjil Shelter near Stawell, where the creator spirit is depicted. Each site tells a unique story of connection to Country, shared through ancient handprints, dancing figures and Dreaming narratives etched into stone.

The 14 coolest libraries to visit in Australia

These Australian libraries are not just serving books, they’re serving looks.

1. Katoomba Library, NSW

2. Payinthi – Prospect Public Library, SA

3. National Library of Australia, ACT

4. Ruth Faulker Library, WA

5. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, Vic

6. Mona Library, Tas

7. Woollahra Library, NSW

8. Craigieburn Library, Vic

9. City of Perth Library, WA

10. State Library of Queensland, Qld

11. State Library of South Australia, SA

12. Marrickville Library, NSW

13. Bunjil Place Library, Vic

14. Alice Springs Public Library, NT

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Unforgettable First Peoples tours and experiences in Victoria

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

These Australian libraries are not just serving books, they’re serving looks.

1. Katoomba Library, NSW

2. Payinthi – Prospect Public Library, SA

3. National Library of Australia, ACT

4. Ruth Faulker Library, WA

5. Geelong Library and Heritage Centre, Vic

6. Mona Library, Tas

7. Woollahra Library, NSW

8. Craigieburn Library, Vic

9. City of Perth Library, WA

10. State Library of Queensland, Qld

11. State Library of South Australia, SA

12. Marrickville Library, NSW

13. Bunjil Place Library, Vic

14. Alice Springs Public Library, NT

A Christmas gift guide for the travellers in your life

The best-rated spots for a scenic hiking and camping trip in one

The ultimate 2025 Christmas movie watchlist

The aurora australis could light up Australian skies tonight

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.

Budj Bim cultural landscape

Dumawul Kooyoora Walking Tour

Kingfisher Cruises

wawa biik

Bataluk Cultural Trail

Healesville Sanctuary

The Grampians

From ancient aquaculture systems to sacred rock art shelters, Victoria’s First Peoples cultural experiences offer a powerful connection to one of the world’s oldest living cultures – where every site, story and smoking ceremony invites a deeper understanding of the land beneath your feet.