Australia · State of Victoria · Melbourne
Southbank, Melbourne — Area Guide & Where to Stay
Southbank is an inner precinct of Melbourne, an arts quarter built around the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Music Vault.
About Southbank
Where to stay in Southbank
Not every neighbourhood fits every trip — here's what each one is good for.
Southbank suits visitors who want galleries and theatres at the door. Hotels and serviced apartments gather near the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Music Vault, a short walk from central Melbourne, so evenings stay busy with people heading to a show. The arts precinct sets the tone.
If you come for a concert or an exhibition, a room here keeps the venues within walking distance.
About Southbank
What are the main landmarks in Southbank?
Southbank's landmarks lean toward the arts. The National Gallery of Victoria anchors the precinct, with the Australian Music Vault and the Australian Performing Arts Collection close by. More museums ring the district.
The Immigration Museum, the Victoria Police Museum, and the Museum of Modern Art Australia gather in and around Southbank, while the Melbourne Aquarium draws visitors nearby.
What is the history of Southbank?
Southbank grew into an arts and cultural quarter of Melbourne. Its cultural halls came first. The National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Performing Arts Collection set the tone, later joined by the Australian Music Vault as a record of the country's music.
Older memorials remain, among them the Edith Cavell Memorial.
Where is Southbank?
Southbank sits within Melbourne, its arts precinct set around the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Music Vault.
Good for
More areas in Melbourne
Updated July 2026