welcome to south melbourne

South Melbourne is emerging as one of Melbourne’s hottest spots for shopping and dining. Only 5 minutes by tram from the CBD and the corridor to Albert Park Lake, this historic precinct offers a Mecca for lovers of fine food, wine, clothing, home wares and day spas.

1. Stroll up Coventry Street the home wares precinct for great style, galleries and cutting edge fashion
2. Acquaint yourself with the many up beat fashion boutiques along Clarendon Street
3. Indulge your taste buds with great cakes at the many bakeries and patisseries
4. Take in the French home wares & fashion as well as Asian-Culinary delights of Park Street
5. Explore the ‘freshest produce and authentic delis at the South Melbourne Market
6. Across the road from the market discover some fabulous boutiques with accessories and fashionable wares
7. Visit the historic Town Hall in Bank Street that houses the Australian Academy of Music
8. Enjoy some decadent pampering at one of the many Day Spa’s and Beauty Salons
9. Partake in some wine tasting at the great range of wine stores and bars
10. Lunch at one of the many al fresco cafes, restaurants and historic pubs in the area

The Butcher, the Baker, the Bicycle Maker: Clarendon St 1855-2007

The beginning of South Melbourne’s development was marked by two key events in 1851: the separation of the colony of Victoria from New South Wales and the discovery of gold. Land was needed to accommodate Melbourne’s sudden population boom caused by the Gold rush.

From the beginning of settlement at Emerald Hill, Clarendon Street emerged as the main shopping thoroughfare. Residents could satisfy all their requirements locally through goods available in the emporiums, clothing stores, newsagents, dairies, numerous banks and building societies. For many manufacturers South Melbourne held numerous advantages, as it was centrally located and convenient to the ports and the railroad.

By 1890 a cable tram connected Clarendon Street to the city and the framework of the suburb was largely in place. Unemployment during the 1890’s Depression caused many factory employees to leave the suburb in search of work.

After 1930 South Melbourne began its transformation from an inner city industrial suburb to the bustling shopping and community center.

In the late twentieth century, Clarendon Street emerged as an enclave of increasingly diverse and creative business including production studios, design, print, media, interactive and advertising agencies who have taken up residence in old factories, warehouses and stables of what was once an industrial area. Groovy cafes are filled with local professionals discussing strategies over a latte.