Guidebook for Southbank
Drinks & Nightlife
Billy's Pantry
35 Coventry StreetLook out for happy hour drinks from 5-7!
The Water Rat Hotel
256 Moray StBotanical Hotel
169 Domain RdArts & Culture
Ex convent on huge site on the river includes 2 Art galleries, artist studios, gorgeous gardens, many cafes & restaurants, and bakery. The children's farm is directly next door, great to access via the bike track which runs along the river. There are also occasionally arts & farmers markets at the convent.
280 locals recommend
Abbotsford Convent
1 St Heliers StEx convent on huge site on the river includes 2 Art galleries, artist studios, gorgeous gardens, many cafes & restaurants, and bakery. The children's farm is directly next door, great to access via the bike track which runs along the river. There are also occasionally arts & farmers markets at the convent.
Great galleries in the upper wings including Ned Kelly's suit, boot & death mask. Also some incredible Gould books on display of animals & flowers, and Tommy McRae ink paintings. Or grab a spot in the very nostalgic La Trobe reading room with your own lamp, carved wooden chair & powerpoint to have some quiet study time with the other 500 students.
568 locals recommend
State Library Victoria
328 Swanston StGreat galleries in the upper wings including Ned Kelly's suit, boot & death mask. Also some incredible Gould books on display of animals & flowers, and Tommy McRae ink paintings. Or grab a spot in the very nostalgic La Trobe reading room with your own lamp, carved wooden chair & powerpoint to have some quiet study time with the other 500 students.
Art gallery which has a free permanent collection & changing paid exhibitions. They have a great exhibition of Papua New Guinean art, and some 15th century Indian art as well as photography collections. Cafe inside and extensive bookshop.
1737 locals recommend
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda RdArt gallery which has a free permanent collection & changing paid exhibitions. They have a great exhibition of Papua New Guinean art, and some 15th century Indian art as well as photography collections. Cafe inside and extensive bookshop.
Great free Australian Art collection. Highlights include Aboriginal Art on the ground floor.
128 locals recommend
The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia
Russell StreetGreat free Australian Art collection. Highlights include Aboriginal Art on the ground floor.
Great Australian print centre of handmade artists work. Buy an original or see an exhibition for free
8 locals recommend
Australian Print Workshop Inc.
210 Gertrude StGreat Australian print centre of handmade artists work. Buy an original or see an exhibition for free
Port Jackson Press Australia
Many original prints for sale
Great South Pacific & Australian collection of Art.
222 locals recommend
Melbourne Museum/Rathdowne St station
Great South Pacific & Australian collection of Art.
Contemporary art gallery. Exhibitions are a bit hit & miss. But it's free and small so it doesn't take very long!
90 locals recommend
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
111 Sturt StContemporary art gallery. Exhibitions are a bit hit & miss. But it's free and small so it doesn't take very long!
Great theatre - old venue, edgy shows. Tickets usually on the higher end and pre booking usually necessary.
64 locals recommend
Malthouse Theatre
113 Sturt StGreat theatre - old venue, edgy shows. Tickets usually on the higher end and pre booking usually necessary.
Usually have high end performances in here as well as the Hamer Hall which is next door. Ballet & classical. Usually has a free exhibition on the ground floor.
178 locals recommend
Arts Centre station
Usually have high end performances in here as well as the Hamer Hall which is next door. Ballet & classical. Usually has a free exhibition on the ground floor.
Shopping
Lovely market, famous for the oyster bar and dimsims, fish sandwiches, you can even get your nails painted while you buy fruit. Freshest fish market in Melbourne. Ready to eat food in the Food Hall, Market Borek recommended or the seafood sandwich BBQ cart which sets up outside Claypots Restaurant
365 locals recommend
South Melbourne Market station
Lovely market, famous for the oyster bar and dimsims, fish sandwiches, you can even get your nails painted while you buy fruit. Freshest fish market in Melbourne. Ready to eat food in the Food Hall, Market Borek recommended or the seafood sandwich BBQ cart which sets up outside Claypots Restaurant
Chemist Warehouse Southbank
250 Sturt StPharmacy
Amcal Max South Melbourne
Printing, scanning, essential stationary
Getting Around
Buy and top up MYKI card here, small selection of groceries and alcohol
GoGet CarShare Pod
Kay Streetright outside
Right outside- remember to buy a helmet at the IGA X-press nearby
20 locals recommend
Melbourne Bike Share Station
1 Aughtie DrRight outside- remember to buy a helmet at the IGA X-press nearby
Flexicar
636 St Kilda RdFlexicar - a van and 2 cars usually available on St Kilda rd
Shrine of Remembrance - Stop 19 station
Tram stop right outside
IGA Xpress Melbourne (St Kilda Road)
320 St Kilda RdBuy your MYKI here
Parks & Nature
Just magic. Find the herb garden, the lakes & the volcano. Open 7.30am-sunset. Jardin Tan is a restaurant at entrance or at 'the Terrace' at the main Lake, good for a coffee stop & scone. Just magic. Find the herb garden, the lakes & volcano. See tickets & gifts at the Visitors Centre at the Main Entrance. Activities inside the gardens: * Hop on hop off bus *Punting on the Lake - Venice style boat on the lake. *Aboriginal Heritage Walk *theatre *open air Cinema 'Moonlight Cinema'
1262 locals recommend
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Just magic. Find the herb garden, the lakes & the volcano. Open 7.30am-sunset. Jardin Tan is a restaurant at entrance or at 'the Terrace' at the main Lake, good for a coffee stop & scone. Just magic. Find the herb garden, the lakes & volcano. See tickets & gifts at the Visitors Centre at the Main Entrance. Activities inside the gardens: * Hop on hop off bus *Punting on the Lake - Venice style boat on the lake. *Aboriginal Heritage Walk *theatre *open air Cinema 'Moonlight Cinema'
Fawkner Park
24-88 Commercial RdEntertainment & Activities
Cinema Nova
380 Lygon StArthouse films big range cheap on Mondays
Arthouse on film & new release on a large screen in beautiful nostalgic theatre with traditional fold up seats. Bring a cushion if you are going to for the double session!
145 locals recommend
The Astor Theatre
1 Chapel StArthouse on film & new release on a large screen in beautiful nostalgic theatre with traditional fold up seats. Bring a cushion if you are going to for the double session!
Acmi contains exhibitions, cinema, bar, food & interactive screens of an archive of Australian film. The booths in the bar are very comfy and private. Melbourne Cinematheque screens here on Wednesday night of retrospective films
258 locals recommend
ACMI
Flinders StreetAcmi contains exhibitions, cinema, bar, food & interactive screens of an archive of Australian film. The booths in the bar are very comfy and private. Melbourne Cinematheque screens here on Wednesday night of retrospective films
MELBOURNE SPORTS & AQUATICS CENTRE
You can swim, dive or play ball sports in here. Or go in the spa steam room & sauna. Or the wave pool. $8.20 non member entry. Open 5.30am-10pm weekdays
and 7am-8pm weekends
MSAC FlowRider
1 Aughtie DrMELBOURNE SPORTS & AQUATICS CENTRE
You can swim, dive or play ball sports in here. Or go in the spa steam room & sauna. Or the wave pool. $8.20 non member entry. Open 5.30am-10pm weekdays
and 7am-8pm weekends
Food scene
Great coffee and baguettes downstairs. Other listings in this category are in order by distance
Story So Far
8 b Dorcas StBilly's Pantry
35 Coventry StreetDon Don
1 Bank StAyam Chef
67-69 Coventry StPeko Peko
190 Wells StNara Street Thai Food
15 Park StreetThe Olive Tree
19 Park StreetBotanical Hotel
169 Domain RdEntrecôte Parisian Steakhouse & Cafe
Celestial Dumpling & Bar
1 Bank StMr. Nice Guy Restaurant
10 Healeys LnKUU Café + Japanese kitchen
190 Park StHunky Dory South Melbourne
252 Clarendon StRed Petite Thai Cafe
194 Bank StClaypots Evening Star
Marketmisschu
111 Cecil StBAMBU Asian Eating House
116 Cecil StMarket Borek
Coventry StreetBaker D. Chirico
178 Faraday StThe Golden Triangle Restaurant
123 Park StreetArkibar Cucina
100 Dorcas St