Nestled beneath the verdant South Lawn of the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus lies an architectural marvel that’s equal parts functional and cinematic legend: the South Lawn Carpark, affectionately dubbed the “Mad Max Carpark.” Built between 1971 and 1972, this underground parking garage isn’t just a place to stash your car—it’s a heritage-listed icon with a starring role in the 1979 dystopian classic Mad Max. Whether you’re a film buff, an architecture enthusiast, or just curious about hidden gems in Melbourne, this carpark is worth the visit. Here’s how to find it, what makes it special, and a peek inside its shadowy, brutalist depths.
Proposed in 1970 as part of a masterplan by architect Bryce Mortlock, the South Lawn Carpark was designed to solve a growing parking crisis at the university while preserving the campus’s leafy charm. Engineers Loder and Bayly, alongside Jan van der Molen, brought it to life with an innovative design: reinforced concrete shells in parabolic profiles supported by mushroom-like columns. This clever engineering not only supports the lawn above but also allows tree roots to thrive, blending urban utility with natural beauty. Completed in 1972, it became Australia’s first fully enclosed underground carpark beneath a landscape—and its eerie, futuristic vibe caught the eye of director George Miller, who used it as the Main Force Patrol garage in Mad Max. Added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1994, it’s a testament to mid-century ingenuity and a cultural touchstone.
Finding the Mad Max Carpark
The South Lawn Carpark is located at the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus, just north of Melbourne’s CBD. The most striking entrance—and the one you’ll want to aim for—is the west entrance off Professors Walk, marked by two towering Atlas figures salvaged from the demolished Colonial Bank on Elizabeth Street. These neoclassical sculptures, crafted in 1880 by James Gilbert, add a touch of Victorian grandeur to the otherwise modernist structure.
Directions:
On Foot: From the main campus entrance at Grattan Street, walk north through the campus, passing Old Quad, until you hit South Lawn. Skirt the lawn’s western edge near the Baillieu Library, and you’ll spot the Atlas figures guarding the entrance.
By Public Transport: Take a tram to the University of Melbourne/Swanston St stop (Tram 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, or 72). From there, head north along Swanston Street, turn left onto Monash Road, and follow it until you reach Professors Walk. The entrance is just past the Baillieu Library on your right.
By Car: If you’re driving, enter the campus via Royal Parade or Grattan Street, but note that the carpark itself is currently closed to vehicles due to metro rail works (as of April 2025). Park nearby and walk to Professors Walk.
Images by Jonathan Choe
