[From the questions: Are there any independent LEGO stores in Melbourne? What is there LEGO related to do in Melbourne? Where can I see some of Ryan McNaught’s work in Melbourne?]
updated 13th February 2019
Melbourne is a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural city in the South Eastern Australian state of Victoria. There is an active AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) community and it is home to Australia’s only LEGO Certified Professional (LCP), Ryan McNaught. Here are just some of the things that might be of interest to a visiting AFOL.
Stores and Centres
I’m Rick James Bricks
Originally located in Traralgon, I’m Rick James Bricks is now located in Pakenham and is in its 8th year of operation. Rick mostly stocks new LEGO sets along with popular 3rd party compatible lines (Brick Arms, Light my Brick etc). There is also a popular Pick a Brick section where you can buy new bulk LEGO bricks. The store can also be found on Facebook.
Location: 49 John Street, Pakenham, Victoria 3810
Opening hours: Tues–Fri: 10:00 – 17:00, Sat: 10:00 – 16:00, Sun: 11:00 – 16:00
LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is described as The Ultimate Indoor LEGO playground. It’s a fantastic play centre for children of all ages and has 11 build zones, 2 rides and a 4D cinema. There is also a cafe with light meals and plenty of space for the adults to sit and watch while the children play. Adults must have a child with them to attend unless they are visiting on one of the regular fun-filled Adult Nights. The LEGO store attached to the centre is filled with all of the latest LEGO sets and many rare, hard-to-find and exclusive items. Bulk LEGO parts can be purchased from the Pick-a-Brick wall inside the store. Check their Facebook page for details of LEGO set availability and special events
Location: Chadstone Shopping Centre, Level 2, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, 3148
(near Hoyts cinema)
Opening hours: Mon-Wed: 09:30 – 17:30 (Last entry 16:00) Shop open until 17:30, Thurs-Sat: 09:30 – 19:00 (Last entry 17:00) Shop open until 9pm, Sun: 09:30 – 17:30 (Last entry 16:00) Shop open until 7pm
The LEGO Education Learning Centre (Moore Educational)
Moore Educational is a long established centre for LEGO education in Melbourne. They provide workshops for both teachers and students as well as Saturday workshops and corporate team building exercises. LEGO Education sets, LEGO merchandise and regular LEGO sets are available from their website and their store in Docklands.
Location: 5/439 Docklands Drive, Waterfront City, Docklands, 3008
Opening hours: Tues-Sat: 10:00 – 15:00, Sun: 10:00 – 14:00
(hours may change due to school workshop schedules and school holiday activities)
Myer Melbourne
Myer is a well-known department store in Australia. Many of their stores in the capital cities, like Melbourne, feature special LEGO displays and are worth visiting just to see the unique models. The Melbourne City store features local icons rendered in LEGO bricks by Ryan McNaught and his team. There is also a good range of LEGO sets available to purchase.
Location: Melbourne City, 314-336 Bourke St, Melbourne, 3000
Opening hours: Mon-Wed: 9:00 – 19:00, Thurs-Fri: 9:00 – 21:00, Sat: 9:00 – 19:00, Sun: 10:00 – 19:00
Shop for Me
Shopforme is an independent LEGO and pop culture store that specialises in providing a “Daily Blitz” special offer at 11am. Their physical store has limited opening hours but all stock is listed on the website for ease of purchase. Shopforme can also be found on Facebook.
Coburg Store
Location: 23 Dawson Street, Coburg, 3058
Opening hours: Sat: 11:00 – 15:00
ToyBricks.com.au
Toy Bricks.com.au is an indepedent LEGO retailer who has a comprehensive range of new stock along with some retired/collectable items. They also sell the Life Lites brick lighting system, train track, and other LEGO related accessories. Individual minifigs can be purchased along with items from a bulk brick section. Toy Bricks is also associated with the ToyBricks (OzBricks) Bricklink store and any online orders placed there are be collected from their Bayswater store. Toybricks.com.au can also be found on Facebook.
Location: 697 Mountain Highway, Bayswater, 3153
Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10:00 – 17:00, Sat: 9:00 – 17:00, Sun: Closed
Other items of interest
Brickvention
First held in 2006, Brickvention is Australia’s premier LEGO fan event and is held every January at the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton. Public Expo tickets are usually available from mid-year but it varies so check the Facebook page to confirm. The event is popular amongst the local AFOL community and attracts exhibitors and general attendees for all over Australia and around the world. Further information is available from the website.
Melbourne LEGO User Group (MUGs)
The Melbourne LEGO User Group (MUGs) was first established in 2000 and has been meeting regularly ever since. It is an active community with many members both within Melbourne and the wider Victorian community. Meetings are free to attend and are held on the second Sunday of the month at the Baseplate in Irene Street, Preston. In addition to monthly meetings, there are also special events held throughout the year. Check the Facebook group for more information.
The Melbourne Class W2 Tram Model
The Melbourne Tram model was constructed many years ago and has travelled to a number of locations across Victoria. The model consists of over 7500 bricks and took nearly 180 hours to build. Although the model needs a little bit of TLC, it is quite unique and worth visiting if you are in the area.
Location: Myer Northland, 2-50 Murray Road East, Preston, 3072
Opening hours: Mon-Wed: 9:00 – 17:30, Thurs -Fri: 9:00 – 21:00, Sat: 9:00 – 17:30: Sun: 10:00 – 17:00
Ryan McNaught (The Brickman) Models
Ryan McNaught is Australia’s only LEGO Certified Professional and is responsible for many of the LEGO sculptures seen around Australia. If you are interested in seeing some of his work whilst visiting Melbourne, these are some of the more accessible locations.
Melbourne Star Model
Based on the design of the actual observation wheel, this model can be found in the gift shop at the base of the Melbourne Star in Docklands.
Location: 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands, 3008 (near Costco)
Opening hours: Daily from: 10:00 – 22:00 (subject to weather conditions)
Toyworld Southland
Toby the Toyworld mascot features in this display at Toyworld in the Southland Shopping Centre. He is currently located in the front window of the store. There is also a side window display which features a large minifigure with a hotdog and a large yellow LEGO brick that were also constructed by Ryan and his team. The two Duplo-style giraffes in the same display were constructed overseas.
Location: Toyworld, Level 2, Shop 2060, Southland Shopping Centre, Nepean Hwy, Cheltenham, 3192
Myer Melbourne
(see listing above)
the plastic brick house 