At a glance
- Entrances
- Exhibition Centre events: Clarendon Street entrance. Convention Centre events: Convention Centre Place, between Pan Pacific Melbourne and DFO South Wharf
- Trams
- Routes 96, 109 and 12 to stop 124A Casino/MCEC/Clarendon Street, outside the Clarendon Street entrance
- Train
- Southern Cross Station is closest: a tram or a walk of about 10 minutes
- Parking at the Exhibition Centre
- Wilson Parking underground car park, entry from Normanby Road, height 2.20m; online rates from $16.00 in the detailed table (the page’s headline strip says from $15.00); drive-up rates start at $18.00 for the first half hour on weekdays
- Other car parks
- South Wharf Retail (height 2.05m), Freeway, Siddeley Street (height 1.9m) and Montague Street
- Phone
- MCEC Customer Service +61 3 9235 8000
- Who it’s for
- Anyone heading to an event at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
- What to do now
- MCEC’s page maps both entrances and each of the six car parks it lists
- Last checked
- Monday 9 November 2026, against MCEC’s Plan your visit page and the car park operators’ pages
- Not yet confirmed
- Event-day parking prices, and which entrance a given event uses
The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre has two entrances, and which one you use depends on where your event is held. Events at the Exhibition Centre use the Clarendon Street entrance, and events at the Convention Centre use Convention Centre Place, between Pan Pacific Melbourne and DFO South Wharf. This guide sets out MCEC’s own directions by tram, train, bus, bike and taxi, and the published rates of the car parks it lists, as of 9 November 2026.
How do I get to MCEC by tram?
MCEC says tram routes 96, 109 and 12 stop at 124A Casino/MCEC/Clarendon Street, which is outside its Clarendon Street entrance. Routes 70, 75 and the City Circle go to Stop 1 Spencer St/Flinders St, from where you make your way down Clarendon Street, generally a 5 minute walk. MCEC adds that trams on routes 96 and 109 are usually low floor, and that you can look for the wheelchair symbol on tramTRACKER to see whether the next tram is low floor.
Is there a train station nearby?
Southern Cross Station is the closest, according to MCEC. From there you can take tram routes 96, 109 or 12 to stop 124A, or walk 10 minutes to the venue. MCEC says all metropolitan trains are wheelchair accessible with allocated spaces for passengers using mobility aids.
What about the bus, bike and taxi?
| Mode | What MCEC says |
|---|---|
| Bus | Route 237 from Southern Cross Station stops at Eighteen Pence Lane/Lorimer Street, a short 10 minute walk from the Convention Centre Place entrance |
| Bicycle | Bike hoops at South Wharf Promenade (Exhibition Centre) and Convention Centre Place (Convention Centre); over 2,700 bicycle hoops across the city |
| Taxi or rideshare | A taxi rank and rideshare drop-off and pick-up point just outside the Convention Centre Place entrance |
| From the airport | Taxi or rideshare from the terminal to the Convention Centre Place entrance; or the Skybus to Southern Cross Station, then a tram or a 10 minute walk to the Clarendon Street entrance |
Where can I park, and what does it cost?
MCEC says Wilson Parking offers flexible rates and secure underground parking at the Exhibition Centre, with accessible parking and lift access up to Doors 1, 6 and 10. It lists additional car parks at South Wharf Retail, Siddeley Street, Freeway and Montague Street, and a Crown multi-level car park on its map. The rates below are those the operators publish, as of 9 November 2026.
Wilson Parking: Melbourne Exhibition Centre car park
Entry is from Normanby Road, with a height limit of 2.20m. Wilson shows online rates that include a platform fee, and notes that prepaying online does not provide a reserved or guaranteed space.
| Rate | Online | Drive up | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird (Mon to Fri) | $18.00 | $22.00 | Enter between 6am and 9am, exit after 3pm and before midnight |
| Night (Mon to Thurs) | $16.00 | $18.00 | Enter after 6pm, exit before 6am the next day |
| Night (Fri) | $20.00 | $24.00 | Enter after 6pm, exit before 6am the next day |
| Weekend (Sat and Sun) | $20.00 | $26.00 | Flat rate per exit, per day |
The page also shows an hourly drive-up scale for Monday to Friday and public holidays: $18.00 up to half an hour, $26.00 up to an hour, $33.00 to 1.5 hours, $42.00 to 2 hours, $48.00 to 2.5 hours, $54.00 to 3 hours, $56.00 to 3.5 hours, $60.00 to 4 hours and $66.00 for 4 hours or more. Its headline strip differs from the detailed table in three places: “Night (Fri) from $15.00” against $20.00 online in the table, “Earlybird from $20.00” against $18.00, and “Weekend from $22.00” against $20.00. The table figures are used here. Wilson also lists a Flexi Saver from $22.00 and a Long Stay rate from $40.00 per 24 hours with a minimum of two days.
Wilson Parking: South Wharf Retail and Freeway car parks
| Car park | Entry and height | Hourly drive up | Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Wharf Retail | Convention Centre entry; 2.05m | $16.00 first hour, $32.00 to 2 hours, $48.00 to 3 hours, $60.00 to 4 hours, $66.00 for 4 hours or more (Mon to Sun) | $18.00 online, $20.00 drive up; enter after 6pm, exit before 6am |
| Freeway | Munro St and Normanby Rd | $16.00 first hour, $32.00 to 2 hours, $48.00 to 3 hours, $60.00 to 4 hours, $66.00 for 4 hours or more | $18.00 online, $20.00 drive up; enter after 6pm, exit before 6am the next day |
At both car parks Wilson lists a DFO discount: collect a validation ticket when making a purchase from any DFO store or food outlet and receive a 50 per cent discount on your parking rate. Both also list a Flexi Saver from $22.00 and a Long Stay rate from $30.00 per 24 hours with a minimum of two days.
Nationwide Parking: Siddeley Street and Montague Street
| Car park | Address and notes | Rates listed |
|---|---|---|
| Siddeley Street | 671-701 Flinders St, Docklands (enter via Siddeley Street); open 24 hours; maximum height 1.9m; number plate recognition; credit card only | Early Bird (Mon to Fri, enter by 9am, exit after 12pm) $21.00; up to 0.5 hour $8.00; up to 1 hour $20.00; up to 2 hours $45.00; up to 3 hours $65.00; 3 hours or more (daily maximum) $75.00; evening (enter after 4pm) Mon to Thurs $15.00, Fri $17.00; Sat and Sun flat rate $17.00 |
| Montague Street | 11-31 Montague Street, South Melbourne, Munro Street, South Wharf; open 24 hours; pay at exit; credit card only | Casual: up to 1 hour $7.00, then daily maximum $20.00; weekend: up to 1 hour $7.00, then daily maximum $22.00 |
Nationwide says new day charges commence at 5am at both car parks, and lists 1300 173 287 for contact 24 hours a day.
What facilities does MCEC list?
MCEC’s page lists ATMs on the concourse of the Exhibition Centre near Door 4, and says the venue is a cash-free zone where electronic payment methods are used. It lists charging stations at Shed Café, Plenary Lounge, Goldfields Café + Bar, behind the Sovereign Room staircase and behind the Door 17 staircase, and free charging points for electric mobility scooters and wheelchairs. The cloak room, for coats, prams or luggage, is at the Customer Service desk at Convention Centre Place. Changing Places toilets, parents rooms in both centres, a prayer room in the Convention Centre and free Wi-Fi are also listed.
What does MCEC say about accessibility?
MCEC says it achieved the Limited Mobility Badge as part of the Accessible Tourism accreditation. It welcomes Seeing Eye Dogs and recognised service animals, and says there are no designated animal relief areas on site, though the grassy areas along the Yarra River side of the building are a nearby option. Hearing devices are available to hire at no cost for Convention Centre meeting rooms by contacting Customer Service on +61 3 9235 8000 or enquiries@mcec.com.au. Its team is trained to support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program community.
What is still unknown?
The pages we read do not say what an event-day parking charge will be, since the operators publish standard rates, nor which entrance a specific event uses. Parking prices are as listed on 9 November 2026 and may change.
Sources
- MCEC — Plan your visit (checked 9 November 2026)
- Wilson Parking — Melbourne Exhibition Centre Car Park (checked 9 November 2026)
- Wilson Parking — South Wharf Retail Car Park (checked 9 November 2026)
- Wilson Parking — Freeway Car Park (checked 9 November 2026)
- Nationwide Parking — Siddeley Street Car Park (checked 9 November 2026)
- Nationwide Parking — Montague Street (checked 9 November 2026)
Featured image: South Wharf Promenade and the Yarra River, with the Melbourne cityscape, September 2024 (photo: Sourabh.biswas003 / CC BY-SA 4.0, text added). Other photos are from Wikimedia Commons.
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with MCEC, Wilson Parking or Nationwide Parking.