Guidebook for Southbank
Parks & Nature
The Botanic Gardens is a beautiful escape from the city. Activities include a run around 'The Tan' (a running track that runs around the gardens for 1.3km), picnics, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra free concerts in summer and a curated section in the centre of the park which has been curated with plant species from all over the world.
166 locals recommend
Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
100 Birdwood AveThe Botanic Gardens is a beautiful escape from the city. Activities include a run around 'The Tan' (a running track that runs around the gardens for 1.3km), picnics, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra free concerts in summer and a curated section in the centre of the park which has been curated with plant species from all over the world.
Beautiful park on the edge of the CBD with views of the skyline
227 locals recommend
Fitzroy Gardens Playground
Wellington ParadeBeautiful park on the edge of the CBD with views of the skyline
Beautiful public gardens surrounding the 19th century Melbourne Exhibition Hall and Melbourne Museum
16 locals recommend
Carlton Gardens/Victoria St station
Beautiful public gardens surrounding the 19th century Melbourne Exhibition Hall and Melbourne Museum
St Kilda beach
Famous beach in a vibrant area with bars and nightlife
Closest beach to the city - a 10 min Uber ride from Southbank
113 locals recommend
Port Melbourne Beach
Closest beach to the city - a 10 min Uber ride from Southbank
Food Scene
Cafe Godot
152 Sturt StGreat coffee, friendly service and just downstairs! Perfect for your morning coffee
Great market for fresh food including fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and everything else you need! A 15 minute walk from the apartment or short cab ride.
365 locals recommend
South Melbourne Market station
Great market for fresh food including fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and everything else you need! A 15 minute walk from the apartment or short cab ride.
Kisumé
175 Flinders LnHigh end modern Japanese restaurant on trendy Flinders Lane.
Tasty Asian fusion food in a cool space and around $50 a head, alcohol additional
552 locals recommend
Chin Chin
125 Flinders LnTasty Asian fusion food in a cool space and around $50 a head, alcohol additional
Brunetti Flinders Lane
250 Flinders LnItalian coffee, desserts and lunch options
Dukes Coffee Roasters
247 Flinders LnExcellent Melbourne coffee
Laurent Bakery
148 Wellington ParadeDelicious French pastries, baguettes and coffee
The Breslin Bar & Grill
1 Southbank BlvdGreat lunch deal - steak and wine for a reasonable price
Delicious Gelato with a huge range of unique flavours - Richmond is also a great area to discover for food and pubs
36 locals recommend
Gelato Messina Richmond
164 Swan StDelicious Gelato with a huge range of unique flavours - Richmond is also a great area to discover for food and pubs
Delicious Spanish tapas adjacent to the famous Hosier Lane covered in graffiti artwork
203 locals recommend
MoVida
1 Hosier LnDelicious Spanish tapas adjacent to the famous Hosier Lane covered in graffiti artwork
Waffle On
9 Degraves StGreat French baguettes perfect for lunch on the go and tasty Belgian waffles
Il Solito Posto
113 Collins StOne of my favourite Italian restaurants - delicious pasta dishes
Modern Japanese restaurant - not the cheapest around but very good!
27 locals recommend
Saké Restaurant & Bar Hamer Hall
100 St Kilda RdModern Japanese restaurant - not the cheapest around but very good!
Delicious Peruvian cuisine at the end of one of Melbourne's most famous laneways named after the rock band AC/DC
31 locals recommend
Pastuso
19 AC/DC LaDelicious Peruvian cuisine at the end of one of Melbourne's most famous laneways named after the rock band AC/DC
Sensory Lab
310 Little Collins StGreat coffee here for a pit stop while shopping
Iconic Melbourne Italian cafe serving pasta, coffee and Italian desserts in a super chilled environment
228 locals recommend
Charlie's Bar
71 Hardware LaneIconic Melbourne Italian cafe serving pasta, coffee and Italian desserts in a super chilled environment
Great breakfast and brunch spot - usually a wait so go before you get hungry :)
413 locals recommend
The Hardware Société Melbourne
10 Katherine PlGreat breakfast and brunch spot - usually a wait so go before you get hungry :)
HuTong
14-16 Market LnShanghainese food - try the chilli wontons!
Longrain Restaurant
44 Little Bourke StGreat restaurant for modern Thai cuisine
Touché Hombre
233 Lonsdale StReasonably priced modern Mexican
Fonda Mexican
144 Chapel StTasty Mexican food at an affordable price and in a relaxed setting
Maha
21 Bond StHigh end Middle Eastern restaurant with delicious modern interpretations
One of my favourite Sichuan restaurants - also open for Yum Cha (or Dim Sum) lunch
43 locals recommend
Spice Temple
8 Whiteman StOne of my favourite Sichuan restaurants - also open for Yum Cha (or Dim Sum) lunch
St Ali Coffee Roasters
12-18 Yarra PlGreat spot for brunch and amazing coffee
Hunky Dory South Melbourne
252 Clarendon StFish and chips!!
Peko Peko
190 Wells StCheap but tasty Korean
Don Don
1 Bank StCheap and tasty Japanese food
The Bond Store
1 Riverside QuayGreat local spot for lunch and coffee - modern Australian food
Drinks & Nightlife
Great atmosphere, tasty cocktails and a nice rooftop overlooking Parliament House.
115 locals recommend
Siglo
161 Spring StGreat atmosphere, tasty cocktails and a nice rooftop overlooking Parliament House.
Arbory Bar & Eatery
1 Flinders WalkRiverside bar and food with great views of the city
Honey Bar and Restaurant
345 Clarendon StCan be fun if you like a bit of Roulette and some nightlife and entertainment. Also a movie theatre and many great restaurants
578 locals recommend
Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex
8 Whiteman StCan be fun if you like a bit of Roulette and some nightlife and entertainment. Also a movie theatre and many great restaurants
Very cool cocktail bar located at the top of Rialto tower - incredible views of Melbourne city. Just below the amazing (but expensive) Vue de Monde French restaurant
297 locals recommend
Lui Bar
525 Collins StVery cool cocktail bar located at the top of Rialto tower - incredible views of Melbourne city. Just below the amazing (but expensive) Vue de Monde French restaurant
Rooftop bar on the top of the stylish QT hotel with amazing city views
27 locals recommend
The Rooftop at QT
133 Russell StreetRooftop bar on the top of the stylish QT hotel with amazing city views
Loop Roof
23 Meyers PlRooftop bar with a great vibe
Madame Brussels
59 Bourke StAnother cool roofftop bar
Imperial Hotel
2-8 Bourke StPub with rooftop bar
Well known Melbourne bar spread over a few levels each with a different character - Cookie is the main bar, with Toff above that and rooftop bar above that. Great bar snacks and small pizzas
381 locals recommend
Cookie
252 Swanston StWell known Melbourne bar spread over a few levels each with a different character - Cookie is the main bar, with Toff above that and rooftop bar above that. Great bar snacks and small pizzas
Blondie Bar
31 Sturt StCool bar with great food - 1 min walk from the apartment!
Have a beer watching the sunset in the middle of the Yarra river surrounded by Melbourne city
163 locals recommend
Ponyfish Island
Have a beer watching the sunset in the middle of the Yarra river surrounded by Melbourne city
Forum Melbourne
154 Flinders StHeritage listed concert venue - check Forum website for events
Ludlow Bar & Dining Room
6 Riverside QuayGreat drinks and food, including burgers
Arts & Culture
Amazing Art gallery 5 min walk away. Free to view the permanent collection any day of the week and world class visiting exhibits throughout the year.
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdAmazing Art gallery 5 min walk away. Free to view the permanent collection any day of the week and world class visiting exhibits throughout the year.
Arts Centre station
Excellent performing arts centre a few minutes walk away
Melbourne Recital Centre
31 Sturt StGreat for a rainy day - fantastic exhibits featuring natural history and Australian animals
593 locals recommend
Melbourne Museum
11 Nicholson StGreat for a rainy day - fantastic exhibits featuring natural history and Australian animals
ACMI
Flinders StreetArt house movies
Contemporary Australian art gallery - just opposite!
90 locals recommend
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
111 Sturt StContemporary Australian art gallery - just opposite!
Essentials
A 2 minute walk away, super convenient supermarket for groceries, food and other household items.
38 locals recommend
IGA Sturt Street Plus Liquor
151 Sturt StA 2 minute walk away, super convenient supermarket for groceries, food and other household items.
Chemist Warehouse Southbank
250 Sturt StHealth and wellness items, medication
Coles
Separation StreetSupermarket with everything you need
Getting Around
Flinders Street Railway Station
Flinders StreetBudget Car & Truck Rental Southbank
225 Moray StSouthern Cross Station
Connection to airport outside station using SkyBus
Sightseeing
Breathtaking view of Melbourne city from 300 metres in the air - 5 minute walk away on City road.
537 locals recommend
Eureka Skydeck
7 Riverside QuayBreathtaking view of Melbourne city from 300 metres in the air - 5 minute walk away on City road.
Hosier Lane
7-9 Hosier LnHosier Lane famous for street art
Gertrude Street
Gertrude StreetWell known edgy street in Fitzroy with shops, bars and restaurants
Australia's first Parliament House before it was relocated to Sydney then Canberra
91 locals recommend
Parliament Gardens
531 Albert StAustralia's first Parliament House before it was relocated to Sydney then Canberra
Melbourne's own Chinatown on Little Bourke street - great restaurants and shops selling everything Chinese
464 locals recommend
Chinatown Precinct
35 Market LnMelbourne's own Chinatown on Little Bourke street - great restaurants and shops selling everything Chinese
Melbourne's famous 18th century landmark railway station
127 locals recommend
Flinders Street Station - Stop 13
Melbourne's famous 18th century landmark railway station
Melbourne's main public square opposite the famous Flinders Street Station. Major events held here and great for a beer with city views!
797 locals recommend
Federation Square
Melbourne's main public square opposite the famous Flinders Street Station. Major events held here and great for a beer with city views!