South Melbourne & Albert Park
Stand still and watch as Melbourne's oldest suburbs change in front of your eyes; with leafy streets and their heritage buildings restored to house chic boutiques and hip cafes and restaurants.
Kickstarts and upstarts in South Melbourne
Start the day with a lazy brunch on Clarendon Street and Dorcas, Park and Bank streets. Consume caffeine at St Ali and Dead Man Espresso, while Chez Dre encourages daybreak decadence. Stock up on fresh produce at the South Melbourne Market for a picnic by the seashore or Albert Park Lake.
Browse specialty shops along Coventry Street, and pop in for a treatment at a nearby salon. Stop by the Victorian Tapestry Workshop in Park Street, and find imported antiques and homewares at Izzi & Popo.
Let loose on the lake
Make your way to Albert Park Lake. Jog or cycle around the lake or join the locals sailing on the water. Join the party in March when the surrounding roads are transformed into track for the Australian Formula 1™ Grand Prix. Swim, shoot hoops and swat shuttlecocks at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, and up your handicap at the championship public golf course or Albert Park Driving Range.
When the racing stops in Albert Park
Return to a peaceful post-Grand Prix Albert Park to explore the Victorian shopfronts of Bridport Street and Victoria Avenue. Window-shop the posh purveyors, ogling Paloma Bleu's footwear and the fascinating finds at Empire Vintage.
Lose an hour or two at Avenue Bookstore, replenishing next door at Albert Park Deli or with ice-cream from Jock's. Turn Japanese at Misuzu’s, go for designer pub grub at the Albert Park Hotel or dine on the lake itself at The Point. Gaze at the city lights from Kerferd Pier, shop for fresh produce or see independent performances at Gasworks.
How to get there
By tram: Number 112 from Collins Street (around 10 minutes – or continue to Fitzroy Street, St Kilda: around 25 minutes); Number 1 from Swanston Street (around 10 minutes); or Number 96 from Bourke Street to Middle Park (around 20 minutes).