Melbourne’s revitalized Docklands

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By SidneyMorgan

Melbourne Docklands
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Melbourne Docklands

Cities around the world have aspired to grand urban renewal projects, but Melbourne is one of the few examples of getting things right. While the Docklands of Melbourne might have originally been for arrivals back in the day from other countries, the contemporary setting for these streets is more akin to any other revitalized neighborhood in any country imaginable. This means that travelers can expect any number of fabulous restaurants, exciting bars filled with locals and tourists, and enough other spaces to keep you busy well into the afternoon and evening hours every day of the year.


Views of the Yarra River

If you want unforgettable views of the Yarra River, there’s no better spot to turn to than the Melbourne Docklands. Here, what was once an area focused on commerce like shipping and boat arrivals has instead transformed into one of the most popular spots for fashion-forward locals and tourists alike to head for dinner and other activities. While rail and boat shipping is still a large part of Melbourne, this part of the city has undergone an incredible transformation, leading to countless wonderful hotels, restaurants, and other spaces. If you’re looking for an unforgettable Melbourne Accommodation, this is where you should turn. Ditto for the most intriguing new restaurant, making use of the old spaces for an entirely new and contemporary aesthetic.

Views of the Yarra River from Doclands
Views of the Yarra River from Doclands

An illustrious past

The Melbourne Docklands have had an illustrious past filled with numerous worthwhile events to get them to where they are today. They were at once a center for shipping and commerce, as well as a focal point for the city’s underground dance parties and raves. After the 1990s, the city made a more concerted effort to integrate the Docklands into today’s tourist scene, leading to the contemporary hodgepodge of restaurants, shops, and bars that travelers will be greeted with to this day. An inspiration for redevelopment, countless Aussies find themselves enjoying after-work drinks at the Docklands today, but the story was very different even just a half-decade ago. While the Docklands might have still been an area for commerce in the mid-1990s, an effort was underway for office space and loft apartments alike, leading to a revitalization of the space while businesses found their way and attempted to participate in a revival that was as yet unseen. The fruits of their efforts certainly paid off, however, as the Melbourne Docklands became a must-go spot not just for tourists who wanted an exciting night on the town, but also for locals who were seeking the most exciting in new restaurants as well as the unmistakable vibe of some of the city’s best new bars.

Docklands of the past
Docklands of the past

The Docklands themselves are split into different districts, each offering their own unique charms for the city. Those travelers who are interested in cutting-edge dining would do well to get themselves to Yarra’s Edge and Waterfront City, where Asian-Australian fusion meals are just as popular as half-price pints during happy hour. With chefs flocking to the Docklands from around the world, both Yarra’s Edge and Waterfront City are the prime spots for innovative cooking and an incredibly staggering mix of locals and travelers alike.


As a beautiful and contemporary space, the Melbourne Docklands exemplify what this diverse and forward-thinking city has to offer in terms of entertainment and dining. If you are unsure of where to spend your night out in Melbourne, don’t hesitate to hail a cab and tell the driver you’re heading to the Docklands. Surely, once there, you will be able to find an under appreciated gem or a local mainstay, and be impressed with the cornucopia of options that this exciting Australian city has to offer its residents and visitors alike.

Comments

awsydney profile image

awsydney 2 years ago

Great info. we stayed at a service apartment at Dockland last year with great water views but the location seemed a little out of the way as we had trouble hailing down cabs and the trams dont go there. The restaurants and cafes there seem pretty quiet on a Saturday night as well. Not sure if this has changed?

SidneyMorgan profile image

SidneyMorgan Hub Author 2 years ago

Hi awsydney

Thanks for the additional information about staying in Docklands from a tourist point of view. It is more remote than other tourist spots in Melbourne like Southbank or St Kilda.

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