Waterfront – River District
The river district is the area on either side of the Yarra river and it stretches from Docklands in the west to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the east. This area has seen the fastest transformation of Melbourne’s metropolitan area in the last few years.
The Yarra River used to be referred as the “river that flows upside down”, that is, the mud is on the top. It has since undergone major improvements and stringent anti-pollution legislation, which has resulted Yarra River to be one of the pleasant waterfront district beautified by tree-lined parks and paths.
For this walk tour, we’ll use the tour guide brochure No. 3 – On the Waterfront.
You can pick up a copy of this brochure (the current design) from the Melbourne Visitor Booth in the Bourke Street Mall or at the Federation Square.
You can also download a pdf copy here.
1. Federation Square
Start your walk tour from Federation Square.
2. Flinders Street Station
Across the street is Flinders Street Station, which was completed in 1909 and is an cultural icon of Melbourne.
On the Federation Square, is the Melbourne Visitor Centre, where you can pick up Melbourne Walk Tours brochures.
3. Princess Bridge
From Flinders Street Station, walk south along Princess Bridge.
Federation Wharf
Just before crossing the bridge, you can see a stairs leading downwards to the river side. Here you will find Federation Wharf.
Two of the favourite bars are Pilgrim and Riverland. Great place to have a drink and a bite and watch the world go by.
4. Alexandra Gardens
Upon crossing Princes Bridge and a short walk ahead, you will come to the stairs leading to Alexandra Gardens. Follow the ramp down to Alexandra Gardens.
Alexandra Gardens boasts five hectares of lavish landscape, where visitors frequently admiring the lovely sights of the breathtaking Yarra River from these gardens.
It is a just short walk from Melbourne CBD and is ideal for relaxing or just enjoying the beautiful Yarra River scenery.
5. ‘Dervish’
From Alexandra Gardens, walk under Princess Bridge towards Southbank Promenade.
As you pass under the bridge, you will come across the giant steel sculpture, ‘Dervish’.
6. Southbank Promenade
Further up is the Southbank Promenade, which stretches from the Princes Bridge to the Spencer Street Footbridge.
Southbank was an industrial area and was neglected until it was rejuvenated in 1990s into an upmarket entertainment precinct.
Right at the beginning of Southbank, near Princes Bridge, is the home of the Art Centre and its theatres. The Hamer Hall, which was previously called Melbourne Concert Hall, is located here.
Southbank is also the home of many major corporations headquarters and regional offices. There are a few large apartment towers located here and the tallest building in Australia, Eureka Tower, is among one of them.
Southbank Promenade is filled with restaurants, emphasising on outdoor seating.
There are always sidewalk entertainments during the weekend.
The South Bank is totally transformed during the night. The light and sound is completely different from the daytime. Music and loud chatters fill the air.
7. Southbank Pedestrian Bridge
The Southbank Pedestrian Bridge links the Flinders Street Station to Southbank. There were strings of “love Locks” along the bridge but unfortunately City Council had since ordered for the locks to be removed.
The best attraction on the Southbank Pedestrian Bridge is the Ponyfish Island bar. The Ponyfish Island bar is located floating underneath the pedestrian bridge. It is best to visit Ponyfish Island just before sunset and watch Southbank lights up over a beer (or several beers).
The Ponyfish Island bar is even more popular at night.
8. Flinders Walk
Upon crossing the Southbank Pedestrian Bridge is the Flinders Walk. Here you will find the Arbory Bar & Eatery.
Arbory Bar & Eatery is built on the disused Sandridge train line and is 150 meter long, which gives it a fantastic view of Southbank.
The trees along the river provide leafy covers over the bar, which is how the bar got its name, “Arbory”.
Walk west (away from Arbory Bar) along Flinders Walk.
9. Sandridge Railway Bridge
The Sandridge Bridge was last used in 1987 and now listed on Victorian Heritage Register as a historic former railway bridge over the Yarra River.
Now it is a pedestrian and cycle path featuring public art.
Banana Alley Vaults and Queens’s Bridge
Walk under the Sandridge Bridge you will come to Banana Alley Vaults.
The Banana Alley Vaults was originally used for storing and ripening bananas before they were sold, which is how the building got its name.
Now its tenanted by several different businesses.
10. Queen’s Bridge
The Queen’s Bridge was built in 1889 over Yarra River and is now a historical bridge. Trams on Route 55 cross this bridge and it can have heavy pedestrian traffic during the weekend.
11. Enterprize Wharf
This was the place where the ship, Enterprize, docked in 1835. That is why the place is called Enterprize Wharf.
12. Constellation
The five carved-wood figureheads comprise a dragon, woman, bird, man and lion.
The title of this work, too, pays homage to the long history of seafaring, the stars having guided many a vessel from one port to another.
The prominent sculpture on the Enterprize Wharf is the five carved figureheads called Constellation. The five carved figureheads comprise of a dragon, woman, bird, man and lion.
13. Immigration Museum
Once you passed Queen’s Bridge, you will find Immigration Museum on the opposite site of Flinders Street.
It was the old Customs House, which serve the early traders who came by ships on the Yarra River.
The Immigration Museum showcase the Australian’s immigration history.
14. Enterprize Park
Just further from Enterprize Wharf is the Enterprize Park. As with the Enterprize Wharf, the Enterprize Park commemorates the early settlers who arrived on the Enterprize ship.
The Enterprize Park is the location of the ‘Scar Project’, where trees had been stripped off their barks by Indigenous people to build canoes, shields or baby cradles. These ‘scared’ trees are what represent the ‘Scar Project.’
15. Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium
Continue walking along the river bank and walk pass the Enterprise Park, you will arrive at Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium.
It’s a contemporary underwater zoo with rich display of marine life of the Southern Ocean.
Check out their details here.
16. Batman Park
Walk across Kingsway and you will come to Batman Park.
Batman Park is a small urban park with Eucalpytus trees planted on the its border with Spencer Street.
As you are walking pass Batman Park, you will come across a helipad floating on Yarra River.
17. Spencer Street Footbridge
At end of Batman Park, you will arrive at Spencer Footbridge.
The bridge was built in 1932 to connect Spencer Street to Clarendon Street.
The adjacent glass covered footbridge was added in 1998.
18. South Wharf
Upon crossing the Spencer Street Footbridge, you will be greeted with the entrance to Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. This is the beginning of South Wharf.
The other landmarks of South Wharf are South Wharf Promenade, Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, and DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) South Wharf.
The restored heritage cargo sheds on South Wharf Promenade now housed some of the exciting bars and restaurants.
19. Dukes and Orr’s Docks
The Duke and Orr’s dock was once a ship building and repair yard. It was built in 1875 and is the last timber walled dry dock to operate in Australia.
20. Polly Woodside
Polly Woodside was built in Belfast in 1885. It carried coal and wheat between England and South America during its service days.
The site now offers a wide range of activities.
Check out the web site for more details.
21. Seafarers Bridge
The Seafarers Bridge connects the South Wharf with Docklands waterfront, opening up more choices of restaurants on the Docklands waterfront.
22. Webb Bridge
Continue walking on South Wharf and walk under a bridge, you will see a ‘snake-like’ bridge called Webb Bridge.
The Webb Bridge is an award winning design bridge, connecting the north side of Docklands to the south side, which is now populated with high rise apartments.
The Webb Bridge design resemble the Korrie eel traps, which looks quite spectacular during the night.
23. South Wharf
Walk back towards South Wharf but this time walk along the inside of the walk way.
As you walk along the inside, you will come across Duty Free Outlets. This is great place for shopping for bargains. Many branded discounted stores are located here.
24. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Further down the walkway, you will come to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Enjoy the view and activities along the river as you stroll your way back towards Federation Square.
Federation Square
Finally you are back at Federation Square.
Federation Square has an unique combinations of cultural centers, restaurants and galleries. Due to is generous space, people just love to hang around.
So sit back and enjoy the view.
We hope you have enjoyed the tour. Please take a moment to leave us a positive comment below and share us on your favourite social media.
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