Southbank
4.5
About
Lovely riverside walk along the Yarra in Melbourne with lots of nice cafes restaurants and shopping areas. Very up and coming.
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Neighbourhood: Southbank
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- smiler1956Birmingham, United Kingdom590 contributionsSouthbankWhat an amazing place alongside the River Yarra. Lots of pubs, restaurants and shops. Great for just a simple stroll, or having a coffee whilst people watching. Lots going on including rowing, river boats and exhibitions. Some lovely bridges to cross and buildings to admire. When we were there they even had a floating light and firework display for Christmas!Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 March 2024
- chikoftheseaRaleigh, North Carolina101 contributionsDelightfulBalloon animals, street performers, artists drawing portraits. Lots of restaurants, pubs and outdoor cafes. This is a great place to relax, people-watch, and maybe take a cruise on the Yarra River. Stroll across the bridge while enjoying an ice cream cone. Just take in the atmosphere. It’s a great experience.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 31 March 2024
- linyepBrisbane, Australia21 contributionsLovely walk just ignore the rubbish in the river !Lovely walk along the promenade with many restaurants to enjoy. Only massive disappointment is the lack of council cleaning river itself with rubbish and even a shopping trolley in the water near the banks. I found similar scene last time I visited in 23 so it hasn’t been addressed as an overall issue across the CBD and river banks. Life your game Melbourne . Sydney is so much cleaner !Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 3 April 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
2,335 reviews
Excellent
1,240
Very good
916
Average
152
Poor
18
Terrible
9
headingyonder
Wollongong, Australia90 contributions
Mar 2020
I was at Southbank for the first time on a Friday evening and it was crowded (during the Moomba Festival) but had a good atmosphere. All the eateries were open but many were fairly full. I visited again on Sunday morning for breakfast and it was like a dead zone with most eateries closed and relatively few people about. I think the best part of Southbank isn't on the commercial side of the bridge, but on the eastern side (the Royal Botanical Gardens side). Other than going for lunch or dinner, I can't see why anyone would go here?
For the best views of the CBD skyline (which is pretty boring during the day compared to all the lights at night), I'd recommend you walk along the St Kilda Road bridge. During the daytime, views from the esplanade to the city are restricted by the row of trees planted all along the waters edge.
I tried to find Skydeck which is in Southbank, but there's no directional signage for it along the esplanade and even the staff couldn't give directions, saying it was hard to explain!
For the best views of the CBD skyline (which is pretty boring during the day compared to all the lights at night), I'd recommend you walk along the St Kilda Road bridge. During the daytime, views from the esplanade to the city are restricted by the row of trees planted all along the waters edge.
I tried to find Skydeck which is in Southbank, but there's no directional signage for it along the esplanade and even the staff couldn't give directions, saying it was hard to explain!
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AuntyDeb
Melbourne, Australia70 contributions
Dec 2019
I love the hassle and bussle of Southbank Promenade. I could sit for hours watching locals and tourist alike go about their business. Street entertainers are amazing and worth your donation (but don't be tricked into paying more than a couple of bucks). The music coming from the speakers makes you relax and enjoy your leisurely walk along the promenade.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Big D McD
Palmetto Bay, FL269 contributions
Jan 2020
This is a great place to get a good feel and vibe of the city of Melbourne. Lovely to stroll along the Yarra river and watch the skiff boats go up and down the river or oogle at the skyline of the city. The footbridges across the Yarra make this a nice place for a photo op. There are many shops and restaurants and cafe's along the waterfront to stop at and shop or eat and drink. Perhaps one of my favorite things to do in Melbourne is just stroll up and down the Yarra River along the Southbank.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mauiwolf
Las Vegas, NV1,530 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a great place to have a stroll, run or bike ride. There are a lot of restaurants and places to grab a beer. It’s situated on the banks of the Yarra River, so it’s scenic and provides for great people watching. Along the way are a small smattering of street performers and artists, but not enough to be annoying like in some places.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard T
Burnley, UK1,228 contributions
Mar 2020
Street entertainers, huge variety of decent, value for money bars, and restaurants and a great walk along the River. Southbank also gets the sun, so on those cooler Spring and Autumn days it is great to be able to sit outside. The further down away from Swanson Street you get, the more reasonably priced the establishments seemed to get.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zelda303
Blue Mountains, Australia32 contributions
Mar 2020
On this trip, we thoroughly enjoyed exploring Southbank on E-bikes. I didn't realise there is such an extensive area of eateries, shopping and of course the Casino. I highly recommend exploring by bike and picking out favorite spots to eat and visit later.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommo
Melbourne, Australia55,938 contributions
Mar 2021
We visited Southbank after many months in lock down and enjoyed our outing there. Its always a favourite spot for us and is walking distance to Flinders Street Station.
Melbournians were embracing the lovely weather with blue skies and the crowds were there at Southbank.
Lovely views, lots of bars and restaurants and one can hire a self drive boat with no license required.
What new to Southbank, since our last visit, and due to Covid are lots of the restaurants now have pop up bars where one can enjoy a drink with views outdoors and making the experience a lot more covid safe.
We sat down on deck chairs at Princes Court which is the pop up bar of the Waterslide Bar and enjoyed relaxing with Yarra River views and enjoying a drink.
Melbournians were embracing the lovely weather with blue skies and the crowds were there at Southbank.
Lovely views, lots of bars and restaurants and one can hire a self drive boat with no license required.
What new to Southbank, since our last visit, and due to Covid are lots of the restaurants now have pop up bars where one can enjoy a drink with views outdoors and making the experience a lot more covid safe.
We sat down on deck chairs at Princes Court which is the pop up bar of the Waterslide Bar and enjoyed relaxing with Yarra River views and enjoying a drink.
Written 7 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WanderingAroundTheWorld
St Helens, UK5,674 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Melbourne has such a lovely skyline that’s often overlooked or passed over when considering skylines. We enjoyed wandering down the promenade and just admiring the views of skyscrapers and high rises. Beautiful was to pass some time whilst in the city, particularly on a summers day like we did.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Simon D
Auckland, New Zealand826 contributions
Dec 2022
We were staying at accommodation on this side of the river and walked through and over the Yarra River a few times. The river looks dirty, but as a local mate of mine said, it is tidal and that stirs things up a bit (along with the boat traffic I expect).
Being close to Christmas time, we were there with the masses of people going to Christmas parties at many of the venues, and enjoying the sights, sounds and decorations on show.
We walked the promenade and crossed a few of the many bridges to and from the city in our travels. Was generally clean and everything is well maintained with wide walking, scooter and cycle access generally available and all flat easy walking. Lots of choice with accommodation, eateries/bars, easy access via trams, the DFO was well worth a visit as well as some other attractions.
Great part of the city!
Being close to Christmas time, we were there with the masses of people going to Christmas parties at many of the venues, and enjoying the sights, sounds and decorations on show.
We walked the promenade and crossed a few of the many bridges to and from the city in our travels. Was generally clean and everything is well maintained with wide walking, scooter and cycle access generally available and all flat easy walking. Lots of choice with accommodation, eateries/bars, easy access via trams, the DFO was well worth a visit as well as some other attractions.
Great part of the city!
Written 15 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy C
Glass House Mountains, Australia38 contributions
Jan 2020
Always a nice walk along the Yarra and plenty of food options. Lots of bars too for those who like their alcohol. Just a few too many buskers which meant that you were continually moving from one noise to the other and they all blended in together.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are you concerned about loitering, potsmoking 'disadvantaged' 'roughsleepers' camping in permanent manner under rail overpass on the North shore of the river.? Free camping with 1Mln dollar views. It appears that their lifestyle isway better than NY hobos. What about authorities and the rest of us?
Written 3 January 2018
I don’t understand the question. Could you clarify?
Written 3 January 2018
Where a nice cheap place for breakfast in southbank melbourne?
Written 28 July 2015
The ubiquitous Food Hall on the ground level will have heaps of breakfast options if it is just fuel that you are looking for. If you can be bothered, hop on a tram and get yourself to the Victoria Market which is nearby (or walk - not so far). There you will find a magnificent array of breakfast options from the food stalls there and the endless delicatessaries. Here you will find an array of international favourites. There are plenty of places to sit and you can even get some great coffee. Not only will you satisfy your stomach, but you will please your palate, you will be treated to a delightful visual panoply of colours and shapes, a range of aromas will titillate your appetite, all in an ambiance that only markets can bestow. You can eat modestly, or you can splurge out. If all this fails to please you, then you can enjoy the visuals and get a hamburger across the road at McDonalds down on the corner.
Written 31 July 2015
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