Best Book Shops in Melbourne

by Dan Cunningham and Holly Bodeker-Smith

Updated 7 months ago

Officially recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, Melbourne’s love affair with the printed word (and picture) runs deep. Home to many of Australia’s best loved authors, the city is also full of great booksellers. We’ve gathered our favourites right here for your browsing pleasure.

Looking for something specific?

The School of Life
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Stocks products that start big, life-changing conversations.
Motto Melbourne
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A permanent store for book distributor Motto.
Coventry Bookstore
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An inviting bookstore in South Melbourne.
The Sun Bookshop
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A little trove of titles servicing Yarraville’s literati.
Perimeter Books
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A beautifully curated shop of rare books and small press.
The Paperback Bookshop
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Initially dedicated to paperback editions, you’ll now find in this tiny bookshop a vast range of titles and formats.
Metropolis
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A mecca of art and design books.
Readings Hawthorn
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Find the local institution’s Hawthorn outlet in a Federation-era shopfront inside an old bank. There’s a dedicated history reading nook, a mural-fronted children’s bookstore and a courtyard garden full of native plants. Plus, more than 25,000 titles to peruse.