South Melbourne

South Melbourne is an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, just 2km south of the CBD. It lies between the riverfront Southbank precinct to the north and the bay-side suburbs of Port Melbourne and Albert Park to the south. As one of the oldest suburban areas in Melbourne, it’s known for its well-preserved Victorian architecture and small laneways cobbled in bluestone.

Accommodation in South Melbourne is mainly terraced or semi-detached Victorian-style buildings, although in recent years, the area has seen more and more high-rise modern apartments being built, where development has spilled over from the CBD. The best example of South Melbourne’s Victorian style is the Town Hall which was built in 1880. An impressive building in terms of both size and appearance, it’s worth checking out. Another notable site to see is the Chinese See Yup Temple built by the See Yup Society in 1856, which means it dates back to the famous Victorian Gold Rush era that South Melbourne is regularly associated with.

The main commercial area of South Melbourne is centred around Clarendon Street – where there are load of shops, cafes, eateries and galleries to keep you entertained. There is also the South Melbourne Market in Coventry Street where you’ll find everything from fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish, bread and cheese, as well as flowers, jewellery, gifts, clothes, books and cosmetics. The market is open on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8am till 4pm. The perfect place to pick some provisions for a picnic in one of South Melbourne’s green spots.

If you’re looking for gifts or treats which are unique and quirky, South Melbourne won’t leave you disappointed. There are plenty of one-off, little boutiques and stalls selling jewellery, fashion, music, and other little treasures and trinkets. There are also great little bookshops which pop-up every now and again.

If you find yourself hungry while doing all that shopping but don’t know exactly what you fancy, luckily for you there is a lot of choice when it comes to food. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants dotted around which serve Italian, Sri Lankan, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Mexican, English, Australian – you name it, they’ve got it. Even if it’s just coffee and cake you’re after, you’ll be sure to find some just around the next corner.

One of the main things South Melbourners are most proud of is their football team – South Melbourne FC. These guys are seen as one of Australia’s most successful teams having four national titles to their name. They play in the Victorian Premier League and are located at the Lakeside Stadium, which is situated next to the picturesque Albert Park Lake and only five minutes drive from the CBD. If you’re there between March and September, try and catch a game – it might not be the Premier League but it’s a guaranteed great day out. Be sure to don your blue and white.

South Melbourne is easily reached from the CBD and the other suburbs, either by train, tram or bus. It’s also close to Melbourne airport, taking around 20-25 minutes to get there by cab.

Things To Do In Melbourne

So what can you do in South Melbourne that you can’t do anywhere else? South Melbourne is awash with art galleries, such as the contemporary Smart Artz Gallery on Alfred Place which is a vast converted warehouse that shows work from Australian artists old and new. The Glass Plus Gallery on Park Street gives a great insight in to Australian glass art – honestly it’s better than it sounds. If you’re feeling particularly geeky, you can visit the Scienceworks museum which costs only $10 to get in. If a little culture is what you fancy then why not spend the evening at one of South Melbourne’s theatres? The Malthouse Theatre on Sturt Street always has something going on, whether it’s drama, dance or opera, there will be something to suit every artistic preference.

If being out in the great outdoors is more your thing then why not try a balloon ride? Balloon flights over Melbourne are one of the best ways to see all the sights, and as most are done at sunrise, you’ll get to see Melbourne and its three million people waking up. You’re taken up by a fully-qualified instructor and the majority include a bonus such as a champagne breakfast when you land again. This however doesn’t come cheap – they start at around $350 for an adult. However it is perhaps a great alternative to the thrill-seeking skydives or bungee jumps, and one of those once in a lifetime opportunities.

Nightlife And Bars

South Melbourne has a lot of pubs, wine bars, lounge bars, cocktail bars, sports bars and boutique bars on offer. While a good proportion of them can be found on Clarendon Street, Cecil Street and City Road, there are dotted around everywhere. The Limerick Arms Hotel has a lot more background to it than your average pub. Set up by two Irish brothers over 150 years ago, this place still continues to wet the whistles and feed the hungry stomachs of South Melbournians. They also have five plasma TVs and HD projectors which show all the live sport. Star Bar which is also found on Clarendon Street, is somewhere to stay later on in the night, and here they showcase Australia’s leading cover bands and the hottest DJs. They’re even open on Sunday nights, with great drink offers always on. The Golden Gate Hotel is where you go if you want amazing cocktails in great chic surroundings. They also have 12 local and international beers and a great wine list.

Accommodation In South Melbourne

Just like anywhere in Melbourne, there are places to stay that suit every budget or price range. Hostels in South Melbourne start from around $22 per person a night for shared dorms and $45 a night for private rooms. Slightly higher up the scale are the motels and hotels which cost between $89 and $100 for a standard room, and which often include breakfast and parking space. If you’re looking to stay in South Melbourne on a longer term basis, flat shares range from around $140 – $300 a week depending on specific location, size and amenities.

Perfect For…

We think South Melbourne is perfect for culture-vultures, architecture appreciators, history buffs and keen boutique shoppers.

By Hannah Kurzawski

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