Fritzjames Stephen
Located in the tranquil confines of Yarra's southern banks Southbank is a hotbed of activity all year long. From art centres to towering casinos the must-visit highlights of Southbank are as follows.
Formerly known as the Victorian Arts Centre, The Art Centre Melbourne is one of Southbank's most iconic landmarks and institutions. As Melbourne's premier performance arts hub the venue occupying the Melbourne Arts Precinct is a must-visit highlight for all performance art lovers and theatre buffs touring Southbank. Housed within an iconic building designed by Sir Roy Grounds the venue first opened its doors to the public as early as 1982. Home to several concert halls and a theatre complex this state-of-the-art performance art hub hosts shows by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Ballet and the Melbourne Theatre Company among many others. A gallery documenting the history of the country's performance arts sphere is also found within the complex. Interestingly, the WRAP on Southbank is modelled after the design of the Art Centre and is a hotel South Bank Melbourne ranks among its most stunning hospitality edifices.
Renowned for its curious steel but rustic facade the Australian Centre For Contemporary Art is another popular attraction in Southbank for art lovers. Situated in Sturt Street in a structure designed by Wood Marsh Architects the venue offers visitors a complete look at the Australian and global contemporary art scene. Locally known as the ACCA the venue brings the best artwork from Australia's and the globe's most renowned artists to Melbourne art lovers and visitors exploring the cultural landmarks of Southbank.
A must-visit for naval and warship fanatics Polly Woodside is a mammoth ship dating back to the 1880's that has been beautifully restored to serve as a museum. First launched by the English in 1885 this towering beauty of naval engineering is housed at the Duke's Dock along Yarra River. As a proud fixture of the country's maritime legacy the award winning ship boasts the height of a 10 storey structure while its sails are close to the measurements of an Olympic size swimming pool. Hosting many child-friendly events the venue is also a local favorite for small gatherings and family outings.
As Southbank's favourite lookout point there's no finer venue to enjoy panoramic views of Melbourne than at Eureka Towers. The observation deck known as the Eureka Skydeck is found on the 88th floor of this sky piercing building that is regarded Melbourne's highest man-made structure. A special viewing cube made of glass is another highlight at the venue where the protruding glass structure known as The Edge offers visitors a unique experience of feeling as if they were walking among the clouds.
A one stop recreation hub crown Casino is not just reserved for high rollers with money to burn. As Southbank's most popular entertainment hub the venue offers world class gambling facilities as well as trendy cafes and restaurants for food lovers. A state-of-the-art cinema is also on-site while shopaholics can find the latest thread off the catwalks in the locale's plush boutiques.
