More than a thousand protesters shut down traffic in Melbourne's CBD to rally against the planned closure of remote Indigenous communities in West Australia.

The group had hoped to confront Tony Abbott at the National Gallery, where he had been rumoured to be dining on Friday night.

Protesters at Black Friday Rally in Melbourne, Friday March 13. Credit:Shinade Shiniqua Clark‎

Mr Abbott has come under fire since he said it was a "lifestyle choice" to live in remote Indigenous communities.

He made the comments on Tuesday while backing the West Australian government's plan to close up to 150 of the communities.