Joanna James
Tipped to be one of Melbourne's most scenic and entertaining precincts, spending time in South Yarra is a treat for all holidaymakers. Here are five things to do during your time in this captivating part of the Victorian capital.
There's nothing like a river cruise to explore the South Yarra precinct in all its glory. Those who wish to enjoy a water-bound excursion on the Yarra River have a plethora of tour options at their disposal. Ideal for those who are in the city and South Yarra for a limited few hours, the city's river cruises are carried out on MV Melba Star boats, which offer panoramic views of all the major landmarks decorating the banks of the river. Those who sign up for the cruise can catch stunning views of the World Trade Centre and Herring Island from a unique vantage point while the Port of Melbourne, Bolte Bridge, and Crown Casino are other points of interest one will glide past during this engaging riverboat tour.
Art lovers who are based at Oaks Melbourne South Yarra Suites or any one of the other serviced apartments in South Yarra should not miss the chance to go for an "Art Walk" to discover the artistic legacy of Yarra Valley and South Yarra, in particular. Taking visitors to nearly every major art gallery in the area including the TarraWarra Museum, South Yarra Art House Gallery, and the Bendigo Art Gallery, tourists will walk away with a better idea of the region's creative prowess of local artists and Melbourne's rich creative heritage.
Those who wish to explore South Yarra at their own pace and get in a good workout at the same time must sign up for a cycling tour around the area. The Melbourne Bike Tour delves almost exclusively into the South Yarra area and makes pit stops at some of the city's biggest and most popular tourist attractions. These organised tours cover nearly every highlight on the heritage trail as mini-excursions into the Royal Botanical Gardens, Federation Square, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and city parks are all part and parcel of these tours.
No trip to Melbourne, or indeed, South Yarra would be complete without gazing down at the city from a hot air balloon. As one of the top things to do in the region, those who embark on an aerial tour of South Yarra will get to experience spectacular bird's-eye views of iconic points of interest such as the Shrine of Remembrance and the Albert Park Formula 1 racetrack.
While South Yarra is home to its fair share of malls and shopping complexes, visitors should take time out to spend a few hours at the area's bustling local thoroughfare, the Prahran Market. Having opened its doors to the public back in 1864, this sprawling marketplace remains the best place to buy food and fresh produce in South Yarra.
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