Southbank is the artistic hub of a city renowned for its thriving art, coffee, and dining scene. Hugging the Yarra River, Southbank exudes waterfront dining and a relaxed alfresco atmosphere.
Pull up a chair at any table along the two kilometre river-side Southbank promenade and you’ll discover world-class dining. Wonder through the walls of the numerous art houses to open your mind. Or lose yourself in the maze-like South Melbourne markets to find a new favourite taste.
With so much to discover, read our list of things to do in Southbank, Melbourne, to guide your weekend getaway.
How to Spend a Weekend in Southbank
Southbank is one of the most stunning, vibrant, and sophisticated precincts in Melbourne. At every turn, there’s a twist of excitement and the unexpected. Exploring Southbank by foot is one of the best ways to take in the vivacious suburb and optimise your weekend stay.
Ready to start exploring? Make the most of your getaway with our list of things to do in Southbank this weekend.
Make the Most of Mornings
Overlooking the bustling Melbourne street from your Dorsett Melbourne balcony, the excitement builds from inside of you. From the streets, the aroma of the famous, fresh Melbourne coffee fills the air and invites you to discover every inch of the city. Southbank is calling, here’s the best things to do to start your weekend stay.
Little Jin
Hit the ground running at Little Jin, conveniently located on the ground floor of Dorsett Melbourne. With so many fun things to do in Melbourne, it’s important you fill yourself with the beans to take it all in.
To experience Melbourne coffee like a true Melbournian, order a Magic coffee - the perfectly proportioned blend of coffee and milk as sworn by the locals.
South Melbourne Markets
Credit: Visit Victoria
From 8am every Saturday and Sunday, the South Melbourne Markets come to life. Florists, fresh seafood, fashion, fromageries, and delicatessens galore, the South Melbourne Markets bring together the creme-dela-crem of Victoria’s homegrown produce.
Make your way through the maze of the markets to discover tastes, smells, and flavours like you’ve never experienced before. Fill up on all the fan favourites like cheese and chocolate, then try something new like hiramasa kingfish with orange ponzu at Oyster Bar by Aptus. Your taste buds are sure to find a new favourite at these extraordinary markets.
Southbank on Saturday
Melbourne is often referred to as the culture capital of Australia, and Southbank is where that culture is presented to the world. Overflowing with creativity, Southbank holds some of the biggest museums and art houses in Melbourne. On your first day of Southbank discovery, head to some, if not all, of these cultural hubs.
The Lume Melbourne
Credit: Visit Victoria
The world’s largest digital art gallery, The Lume Melbourne should be on every weekender’s to-do list. Walk through this magnetic gallery and immerse yourself in masterpieces brought to life through digital activations and sensory spaces.
The surprises keep coming at The Lume Melbourne when you’re walking through an immersive artwork one moment, then booking a yoga or pilates class under a digitally painted sky the next.
Either pre-book your tickets or simply walk up on your watch to experience this masterpiece of old meets modern artwork.
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art
The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, or ACCA, sets the standard for world-class modern art experiences. For over 40 years, the centre has inspired and shaped the narrative for artists in Australia and across the globe.
Currently, ACCA hosts thousands of established and emerging artists under its roof and engages the community in learning about the ever-growing world of contemporary art. Explore the physical art mediums or take a wonder through the Digital Wing dedicated to presenting a constellation of digitally-lead creative developments, knowledge-sharing, and artistic commissions.
Buxton Contemporary
Never short of modern art, Southbank is also home to Buxton Contemporary – a dynamic and engaging space bringing together art and new audiences. Opening only recently in 2018, Buxton Contemporary is a forward-thinking, art-led hub where the exchange of ideas and creative thinking is encouraged.
An outstanding collection from the newest artistic minds, Buxton Contemporary is open to the public all weekend from 11am to 5pm.
Sunday in Southbank
Day two galavanting across the Melbourne streets and there’s always more to explore. With so many things to do in Melbourne and Southbank, here is our list on how to maximise your second day in the city.
Queen Bee Art Installation
Top of the list of free things to do in Melbourne is the Queen Bee art installation. A gleaming metaphor for the Melbourne hive of social life, the Queen Bee installation stands proudly on Southbank’s Eureka Tower. From the street, the Queen Bee public art installation is only the first must-see experience hosted within Eureka Tower. The second takes your weekend to a whole new level.
Melbourne Skydeck
Credit: Visit Victoria
Take to the skies at the Melbourne Skydeck. Boasting panoramic views from the southern hemisphere’s highest observation deck, Melbourne Skydeck is a must for visitors who truly need to see all of Melbourne.
At the top of Eureka Tower, visitors book into Melbourne Skydeck for more than breathtaking views. While on top of the city, take a trip through Melbourne and Victoria is the multi-million dollar Voyager Theatre’s 8K super high-definition and 6D sensory immersive experience.
When you’re ready to sit back and enjoy the world, Bar 88 is waiting to serve you sky high drinks and snacks before you take the lift back down to earth.
DFO South Wharf
It’s no secret Melbourne is a global hub for shopping. Unlike other Australian cities, Melbourne Fashion is world-class, and DFO South Wharf is where you can find global brands at any budget.
Take a stroll across the Evan Walker Bridge over the Yarra River to stock up on your favourite brands at DFO’s biggest sales. With year-round offers, a constant flow of high-quality fashion, and an array of food outlets to break up the day, DFO South Wharf will gladly fill your Sunday in Southbank if you let it.
Southbank Nightlife
Vibrant sophistication. The lights of the Southbank nightlife are calling your name on your glamourous weekend escape. Melbourne’s world-famous culture doesn’t stop when the sun sets, and neither should your fun.
While there is gold-standard dining to experience across the city, Southbank boasts some unique spots that have to be included in your ultimate weekend guide.
Yarra Botanica
Credit: Visit Victoria
If it’s style after, secure a spot at Yarra Botanica. Stacked with a stunning line-up of local wines, produce, and flavours, Yarra Botanica is a two-level floating bar right on the Yarra River at Southbank.
Sourcing 90 percent of its produce from local suppliers, you can enjoy the best seasonal tastes of Victoria all year round. With a quality line-up of drinks, fresh tapas, and spectacular views, Yarra Botanica will have you sipping a local wine as the sun goes down.
Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise
When you’ve seen the best of Melbourne on land, take to the water for a scenic night time dinner cruise.
The Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise sets sail from Southbank nightly offering a four-course meal showcasing the best flavours of the city. Take a culinary tour around the city as you taste the seasonal flavours from broader Victoria.
Ideal for anniversaries, dates, business dinners, celebrations, or just experiencing Melbourne from a different vantage point, the Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise caters to all.
Holy Moly Melbourne
Think your weekend has been a hole-in-one? Take a hit at Holy Moly Melbourne, an exciting indoor putt-putt course that puts your skills and competitiveness to the test.
A short six minute walk from Dorsett Melbourne, Holy Moly is sure to fire up your friends, colleagues, and the whole family. 27 challenging and exciting holes across three courses, Holy Moly Melbourne is at the top of fun things to do in Melbourne for every kind of getaway. Once you’re finished, head downstairs to the karaoke lounge to scream out any qualms you may have held on the Putt-Putt pitch.
Jin Bar
Wind up your weekend at Jin Bar – Dorsett Melbourne’s signature cocktail bar. Jin, meaning gold in Mandarin, inspires the aesthetic and philosophy behind this unique bar. Jin Bar’s style brings to life the rich Victorian Gold Rush history and the gold theme carries through the decor, ambience, and is even woven into the cocktails.
Hosting a Happy Hour every Sunday to Thursday, it's the perfect way to finish your weekend in Melbourne before heading upstairs to your room at Dorsett Melbourne.
Unmissable Southbank Experiences in 2024
The cultural capital of Australia, there is always something to do, see, or taste in Melbourne. If you’re wanting to squeeze every last experience out of your Southbank weekend escape, ensure to add one of these unmissable events to your itinerary.
Future Remains Exhibition at the ACCA
Until September 1st, the ACCA is proudly presenting Future Remains: The 2024 Macfarlane Commissions – a collective artwork bringing together up-and-coming artists.
The fourth edition of an ongoing partnership promoting ambitious art by emerging and established artists, this year’s edition boldly exhibits art that aims to reclaim, restage, and reframe art mediums, culture, and ideological inheritances. Across seven commissions, this exhibition wants to better understand the past and present to create new opportunities for the future.
Presented in the main gallery of the ACCA, this is a free exhibition in Melbourne open to the public.
The Same Crowd Never Gathers Twice at Buxton Contemporary
Open your mind and test your perception of the arena with Buxton Contemporary’s The Same Crown Never Gathers Twice exhibition.Through the lens of social and structural architectures, the artists invite you into the elastic relationship between reality and performances and being a participant or an audience.
In this artwork, the collection of artists asks visitors to consider their role and expectations of how they interact with this space. This free exhibition in Southbank is on display until October 13, 2024.
Cheer on the AFL
On any given weekend between May and September, you’re sure to score yourself some tickets to an Australian Football League (AFL) game. In Victoria, AFL is one of the most celebrated sporting codes and Victorians will take any opportunity to cheer on their team.
Across Victoria alone, there are ten AFL sporting teams. Which means visitors can experience home grown talent most weekends of the AFL season. For travellers looking to experience the ultimate AFL event, the grand final held in September is always an unmissable moment for Victorians and Australians alike. On grand final day, Melbourne becomes an epicentre of sport culture in the country.
Stay and Play in Melbourne for a Weekend
With so much to experience and explore, it’s vital to not waste a single second travelling to and from stunning Southbank precinct. Dorsett Melbourne is strategically positioned just moments from the beating heart of Southbank for the ultimate city convenience. Barista-made coffee on its doorstep, a stroll to culture and arts hubs, and world-class dining.
Dorsett Melbourne can host your weekend getaway for couples, travellers, and families. Book your stay today at Dorsett Melbourne to be walking distance to the best Southbank has to offer and create memories you’ll enjoy for years to come.
Further reading - Have more than a weekend to experience the best of Melbourne? Discover Melbourne’s visitor highlights with this comprehensive list of must-experience hotspots.
