8  Southbank Promenade

Central to David Yencken and Evan Walker’s plan to rejuvenate the Yarra River corridor, the Southbank promenade ensured that the area was pedestrian-friendly and accessible to anyone who wanted to enjoy the Yarra.

The Southbank promenade by Denton Corker Marshall, runs from Princes Bridge along to Queens Bridge which also incorporates Queensbridge Square. To the west of the Bridge it is "Yarra Promenade", which runs underneath Kings Way and Kings Bridge to Clarendon Street including Crown Entertainment Complex and promenade restaurants.

9  Southbank Pedestrian Bridge

This interesting bridge by Cox Carmichael Whitford links Flinders Street Station with Southgate. The bridge crosses the river diagonally, reaching the south side somewhat downstream. Each of the three spans is offset from the other. The central span rises to quite a pronounced crest, and is spanned by the central arch which is aligned obliquely to the deck. A cafe nestles under the deck adjacent to the southern pier.

10  Esso Building

Esso Headquarters, situated on the Southbank Promenade features a curtain wall of chrome and tinted glass and has curved sections that break the bulk of the building. The podium of the Esso building features a massive curved rainforest atrium.

11  Sandridge Bridge

Sandridge Bridge is a historic former railway bridge which was redeveloped in 2006 as a new pedestrian and cycle path incorporating a significant piece of public art. It is the third bridge on the site.

The first bridge on the site was built in 1853 to carry the first passenger railway line in Australia. This original bridge was replaced in 1858 by a timber trestle bridge carrying two lines of rail traffic. In 1886, the current bridge was opened with four railway lines. The bridge was redeveloped in 2006 and now includes Nadim Karam’s towering sculpture of The Travellers. More...

11a The Travellers by Nadim Karam.

Each of the 10 figures comprising the work represents a phase of arrival, as historian James Jupp has defined these. The figures, graphic and abstracted in form, are Gayip (Aboriginal period); First Settler (convict period); Melbourne Beauty (gold rushes); Walker and His Tucker Bag (assisted migration); Shelter (displaced persons); Urban Wheel (European migration); Running Couple (refugees); Butterfly Girl (Asian and Middle Eastern migration); Technoman (students and professionals); and Walking Sun (multiculturalism). Below the figures, a series of etched glass panels stretch across the bridge, a component in this history of migration to Australia. Find out more at the City of Melbourne website.

12  Northbank

The Les Erdi Plaza in front of Signal and Sandridge Bridge is a large public outdoor space with a raised stage area, and the Signal Sound Wall running along its northern side. The space can be used as an outdoor gallery, performance area, or for larger events and gatherings. It is uniquely located between the Yarra River and Flinders Street Station, framing an up-close view of the cityscape.

13 Signal

Signal is Melbourne’s first arts studio dedicated to people aged 13 to 20 interested in a wide range of art forms. Housed in a refurbished signal box, Signal provides opportunities to work with professional artists across all art forms. Signal is a place for making, showing, inspiring and developing our city’s new creative talents – in every medium.

Signal provides first steps, next steps and launching platforms for all who come in to contact with the centre. More...

14 Banana alley

The Banana Alley Vaults are found on the north bank of the Yarra, just beyond Signal.

Built in 1891-92, they were known as the Viaduct Buildings and were originally used by produce agents and fruiterers to store their wares before market. The name "Banana Alley" stems from bananas being stored and ripened here before being sold.

The vaults fell out of use in 1930 when Queens Wharf was no longer accessible to cargo ships. Attempts at redevelopment have been made but this historic area has yet to reach its full potential. More...

15 Queens bridge

The Queens Bridge is an historic road bridge over the Yarra River. The current bridge replaces an earlier timber structure and was built in 1889. More...

16 Enterprize Park

Enterprize Park is named after the schooner owned by John Pascoe Fawkner, which landed there in 1835. Fawkner is generally recognised as a co-founder of Melbourne along with John Batman.

It is located adjacent to the historic turning basin, overlooked by Customs House (now the Immigration Museum). The turning basin was just downstream of the Yarra Falls, in line with William Street and, prior to the building of the Spencer Street bridge, marked the furthest point that ships could navigate up the Yarra (and therefore the point at which they had to turn).

16a Constellation by Bruce Armstrong and Geoffrey Bartlett.

Constellation is located at Enterprize Wharf on the north bank of the Yarra River, near the Queen Street bridge.

Occupying the site on the turning basin, five large figureheads reflect upon the ethnic and cultural diversity of those who worked in the area during the early years of settlement. Admire the dragon, woman, man, bird and lion that represent this period in Melbourne’s past. The title of this work pays homage to the long history of seafaring, the stars having guided many a vessel from one port to another. More... 

16b Scar – A Stolen Vision.

Producer Kimba Thompson; artists Karen Casey, Craig Charles, Glenn Romanis, Maree Clarke, Ray Thomas, Ricardo Idagi and Treahna Hamm

Scar – A Stolen Vision is a collaborative work by Indigenous artists that engages with the tradition of tree scarring. The installation symbolises the landscape marked by scar trees, articulating the presence of Indigenous people and their connection to country. The term ‘scar’ links with wounds, healing and memory – concepts embodied in the work. Artistic director Kimba Thompson brought together seven visual artists to create contemporary works that convey tradition and underscores continuity with past practices. More...

17 Melbourne Aquarium

Discover thousands of aquatic animals in four amazing worlds at the award-winning Melbourne Aquarium. More...

18 Batman Park

Batman Park is near the corner of William and Flinders Streets. Connected to Enterprize Park, Batman Park was named after the founder of Melbourne. explorer John Batman. The park lies beside the river and provides a green resting place for visitors and workers in the area.

19 Crown Entertainment Complex

The Crown Entertainment Complex is one of the world’s largest entertainment complexes of its kind (covering two city blocks), it includes retail shopping, gaming, accommodation and fine dining.

In a city renowned for its cuisine, Crown offers some of Melbourne’s finest. With over 40 restaurants, cafés and bars, nowhere else in Melbourne boasts such a wide variety of dining options. More...

20 Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Located on the edge of the Yarra River is the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).The Melbourne Convention Centre has been fully integrated with the Melbourne Exhibition Centre to create the most versatile and advanced convention and exhibition centre in the Southern Hemisphere. The Melbourne Exhibition Centre offers an unrivalled 30,000 sqm (323,000 sq ft) of clear span floor space.

The Convention Centre – the first to be awarded a 6 Star Green Star environmental rating by the Green Building Council of Australia – includes a state-of-the-art plenary that can be divided into three self-contained, acoustically separate theatres, and offers clients unlimited options in event planning. More...

21 Melbourne Maritime Museum

After a four year closure, the Polly Woodside will relaunch for late October, 2010. Aiming to provide an engaging experience for young and old, the relaunched attraction will include a new interactive museum telling Polly’s life story and what it was like on the high seas aboard ship. Part of the experience will include a specially commissioned film shown in a purpose-built theatre in the museum. The attraction will also include interactive elements as well as games for all ages. In addition, there will be an ongoing exciting program of events and performances. More...

The Duke's and Orr's Dry Dock
Recently there has also been a $13 million restoration of Polly Woodside's home berth at Duke's & Orr's Dry Dock in South Wharf. This project has enabled the Polly Woodside to be periodically dry docked, providing the National Trust of Australia (Vic) with the opportunity to undertake restoration works on the ship's hull. This will ensure Polly survives into the future as a reminder of Melbourne’s maritime history and tourist attraction. More...

22 South Wharf

Melbourne’s exciting new riverside precinct is South Wharf.

South Wharf has an enviable location right in the heart of Melbourne, on the southern bank of the Yarra River, and a short stroll from many other attractions.

Come to South Wharf to enjoy dining, conferences and events. More...

23 Seafarers bridge

The name for South Wharf’s striking pedestrian bridge draws on the rich maritime history of the area and is a fitting connection to the nearby ‘Mission to Seafarers’ centre located at the bridge’s northern landing.

The Mission to Seafarers is an international organisation which cares for the practical and spiritual welfare of seafarers of all nationalities and faiths. This bridge forms a vital connection between the city’s waterfront and the river-front.