School Tour Coles Arcade: The Grandest Bookshop in the World

VISIT the fabulous former Coles Book Arcade (1873-1929), once the ‘grandest bookshop in the world’ as well as a famous icon of gold rush Melbourne. Explore the sites of its key attractions such as Toyland, Ornaments, Fernery, Aviary, Monkey House, Cole family apartment, Lending Library, Confectionery and others.
EXPLORE the literary settings, scenes, and characters of books about Coles Book Arcade, such as the award-winning Grandest Bookshop on Earth (trilogy) by Amelia Mellor. Other books about the Arcade include Utopian Man by Lisa Lang, Under the Rainbow by Richard Broinowski, Cole of the Book Arcade by Cole Turnley and the 1879 Coles Funny Book.
SCHOOL STUDENT TOURS are each allocated a different identity from Coles Arcade books and read from book extracts in matching locations.
VISIT nearby Marvellous Melbourne locations also connected to ‘Willy Wonka’ owner Edward Coles (1832-1918), his wife Eliza Frances Jordan and their six children.
EXPERIENCE the transformation of Coles Arcade into modern Melbourne including iconic destinations such as Dymocks, Presgrave Street Art, Howie Place fashion, MECCA and Royal Arcade.