Southbank

Cross the Even Walker Bridge and you’ll be right in the heart of the South Bank district. This modern, bustling suburb lies just 1 km south of the CBD. For those wondering, the term simply stands for Central Business District, aka Central Melbourne. Before settlers arrived, the area south of Melbourne was all swampy wetlands, home to Aboriginal tribes. By 1835, the city began to boom, yet the south bank of the Yarra River was left untouched. However, once the first railroad line was built, the swamps were filled in to make way for the track. The remaining land became an industrial zone. Fast forward to the 1970s, when a number of facilities were converted into cultural spaces. The former police barracks became the Victorian College of the Arts, and a former malt factory became the Malthouse Theatre, hence the name. In short, these transformations reached a crescendo, eventually creating the Melbourne Act Precint, a series of art galleries, performance venues and multicultural spaces. Here, you’ll find Australia’s largest contemporary art gallery, NVG Contemporary. These days, the South Bank is a far cry from the swamps; it’s the city’s most densely populated suburb, brimming with apartment buildings. If you’re here on a Sunday, swing by the amazing craft market near the arts center! Get swept up in the infectious energy of South Bank’s street artists and craftspeople to get a true taste of Melbourne!