More than a thousand people have marched through Melbourne's CBD and staged a mock "die-in" for climate change.

Key points: Activists marched through the city and staged a "die-in" at Bourke and Swanston streets

Activists marched through the city and staged a "die-in" at Bourke and Swanston streets Organiser Extinction Rebellion called for a Citizens' Assembly on "climate and ecological justice"

Organiser Extinction Rebellion called for a Citizens' Assembly on "climate and ecological justice" The protest disrupted tram schedules in the city during the march

The protest started with speeches at the Victorian Parliament, then marchers moved through the city to the corner of Bourke and Swanston streets where they staged a "die-in".

A number of protesters dropped to the ground to lie down in the intersection before moving on to Carlton Gardens.

Protesters young and old chanted "this is our future, there is no plan B" and "what do we want — action, when do we want it — now".

The protesters planned to stage a "die-in" at a busy intersection in Melbourne's CBD. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

One of the protest organisers, Extinction Rebellion Victoria, called for governments to set up a "Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice" to lead environmental policy.

Extinction Rebellion organised a series of protests in London last month which caused major disruptions.

Organisers called for a citizens' assembly to manage climate change policy. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

University student Michael, 20, called on the Government to "listen to us and listen to the evidence".

"I feel like it's my responsibility as a future member of Australia to be here, that's something I owe to future generations," he said.

Alex, a member of Extinction Rebellion, said organisers were pleased with the turnout.

"It's kind of a snap-back rally in response to our feelings about the election. We organised it within a week and we're really impressed with the turnout," he said.

About a thousand people gathered outside the Victorian Parliament at the start of the protest. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

The protest disrupted tram services across the CBD including Swanston, Collins and Bourke streets as well as City Circle trams.

Transport officials urged people to use the underground trains to avoid traffic disruptions.

A student promising to go back to school in return for climate change action. ( ABC News: Danielle Bonica )

Good news for Adani

Some signs referenced Adani on a day when it was revealed the company could break ground at its Carmichael mine site within weeks, after more than eight years of planning.

At Rockhampton, in Queensland, more than 100 people gathered for a day of action demanding the Galilee Basin be opened up to mining to create jobs.

About 100 people rallied in Rockhampton calling for the opening of the entire galilee basin for mining. ( ABC News: Rachel McGhee )

"This is more than just the Adani project, it is for the entire Galilee Basin, it is for regional Queensland to have jobs," said Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington.

"We need to make sure that these voices that are standing behind me want to be heard and should never be forgotten again."