Located in the local government areas of the City of Port Phillip and City of Melbourne, inner south Melbourne is the group of inner city suburbs south of Melbourne CBD. Growing rapidly in population due to the renewal of the Southbank area, it has seen a number of changes in recent years. The area has some of Melbourne’s oldest buildings such as the town hall precinct and numerous Victorian terrace houses especially of note in Cecil, Layfield and Finley Streets. The commercial district is centered around Clarendon St and South Melbourne Market. Public transport is readily available and there is immediate access to major roads. One of the areas main strengths is its great proximity to Melbourne CBD and beaches. Suburbs include: • Albert Park • Southbank • South Melbourne • Middle Park • Melbourne (between Queens and St Kilda Roads) • St Kilda Southbank, in the local government area of the City of Melbourne is a small 1.7km squared area located opposite Melbourne CBD on the southern bank of the Yarra River. It is bordered to the south and west by Dorcas St, Westgate Freeway and Kings Way, to the north by the famous Yarra River and to the east by the busy St.Kilda Road. The area was formerly an industrial zone but has been completely reconstructed into one of Melbourne’s best places to live and visit. The urban renewal program was started in the early 1990’s giving the area a new look with Melbourne’s tallest building, Eureka Tower, located there. Several old heritage buildings were also kept, helping fuse Melbourne’s history and its bright future together. Development has occurred to increase the high density retail, cultural, residential and entertainment areas to cater for its residents and visitors. Southbank’s location means that it has all the transport and entertainment conveniences needed as well as having the CBD just across the Yarra and some of Melbourne’s most lush parklands next door. Attractions in Southbank include: • Crown Casino • Eureka Skydeck • Theatre • Arts Centre • Shopping • Cafes • Restaurants • Cinemas • Riverfront views and promenade A number of tram lines run through the area and the West Gate freeway has interchanges directly into Southbank making it highly accessible by all modes of transport. Overall, the inner south of Melbourne is a place that has changed rapidly. It is now a mix of business, culture, retail and entertainment combining the city’s history and future in a very tasteful way.
