Why everyone's heading to Southbank

While it was once known as Melbourne’s industrial hub, the inner urban neighbourhood of Southbank is now considered anything but.

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While it was once known as Melbourne’s industrial hub, the inner urban neighbourhood of Southbank is now considered anything but. Boasting tiny art shops, eccentric street performances and quirky wine bars juxtaposed with fine dining haunts, sweet dessert stations and swanky hotels and developments, this cultural haven has fast-moved from somewhere you’d visit, to somewhere you’d move to.

While it was once known as Melbourne’s industrial hub, the inner urban neighbourhood of Southbank is now considered anything but. Boasting tiny art shops, eccentric street performances and quirky wine bars juxtaposed with fine dining haunts, sweet dessert stations and swanky hotels and developments, this cultural haven has fast-moved from somewhere you’d visit, to somewhere you’d move to.

A precinct that is easily accessible by tram, train and even boat (yep, water taxis stop regularly outside of Southgate), this emerging hot spot allows you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city while getting a boost of good ol’ Melburnian culture.

Whether strolling through the Arts Precinct, sipping sunset cocktails at Ponyfish Island or simply moving to the area, here’s why Southbank’s a top spot for work, rest or play.

SOMETHING NEW

By 2050, Fishermans Bend, Australia’s largest urban renewal project will be home to approximately 80,000 residents and provide employment for up to 80,000 people.

With numbers like that being tossed around, it’s safe to say the area’s on the rise, flourishing with opportunities to live, work, learn and invest.

Recently released plans of the project promise a boost in transport connections, homes, parks, schools and services for the growing community, becoming a global benchmark for a smart, sustainable development. Consisting of five precincts across two municipalities – the City of Melbourne and the City of Port Phillips – the project will also connect Melbourne’s CBD to the bay, making the action a little more accessible. 

LOCAL LEARNING

While some of you might not be at that stage yet, buying a place with your partner might bring you that little bit closer to primary school fees and college pamphlets.

In 2020, the University of Melbourne will build a new, seven-hectare campus at Fishermans Bend as part of its almost $1 billion commitment to creating a world-class engineering school for the 21st century. The new campus, just five kilometres from the city and within the old General Motors Holden Site, will be the centrepiece of Australia’s leading precinct for advanced manufacturing, design, engineering and technological excellence.

According to Professor Iven Mareels, Dean of the Melbourne School of Engineering, the new campus will create entrepreneurial leaders and transformative technologies for the future. “The Fishermans Bend campus will initially enable 1000 engineering and IT students and academics to collaborate with world-leading local and international companies across industrial sectors as diverse as transport, energy, food, mining, infrastructure and water.

“We have a proud history of innovation in this country. The new campus will give our researchers and students opportunities to work alongside industry, and pursue rich careers right here in Australia.”

A LIFE OF LUXE

If you’re looking to move to Southbank, luxe living is not limited to a five-star stay. Normanby Melbourne, a prestigious inner-city enclave, plans to bring the very best of Melbourne living in one sculptural spot. Perfect for first home buyers or investors, this emerging suburb is also in close proximity to the CBD and education hub mentioned above (perfect for families looking to settle in a single spot).

If you’re visiting from interstate, Southbank is also home to one of the world’s most prestigious hotels. Crown Towers Melbourne boasts the most iconic fine dining restaurants, internationally acclaimed shopping and iconic bars, oozing prestige from the moment your feet touch the foyer floor. The Langham, a second sanctuary with sweeping vistas of the Yarra River, is yet another special spot for that weekend away or solo spa stay. 

SO MUCH TO DO (AND EAT)

Foodies be warned; Southbank promises to please the fussiest of eaters.  From the homage to NYC with a grilled pastrami sandwich at Left Bank Melbourne to the dangerously spicy dishes at Long Chim, this foodie trail is home to a global feast like no other. Notable mentions include the French-style charcuterie at The Deck Southbank, the infamous dessert wall (complete with Farmhouse cheese island and flowing chocolate fountain) at Melba and the impeccable Tagliolini with spanner crab hand-made by Rosetta’s resident sfoglina.

Once you’ve filled your belly with bountiful dishes from all over the globe, get your cultural hat on with a walk around the National Gallery of Victoria (home to 70,000 artworks, including Rembrandt, Rene Magritte and Picasso), before checking out Melbourne’s highest public vantage point – The Eureka Tower.

Originally published as Why everyone's heading to Southbank