Southbank & Docklands Bike Ride
Enjoy maritime history, waterfront experiences and art installations around the waterways of the Southbank and Docklands areas.
See Melbourne's waterfront sights from a different perspective - on two wheels! Discover the buzzing hospitality and public art precincts of Southbank and Docklands as you ride beside the Yarra River.
Places of interest along the route:
The Evan Walker Bridge (1) is named after Professor Walker, Melbourne's planning minister in the 1980s. As a former architect, he drove the transformation of the Southbank precinct. Keep your eyes peeled to your left for a gate, leading to a hidden stairway, down to tiny bar Ponyfish Island.
Check out the Southgate (2) shopping and dining precinct near the Southbank Promenade. The leafy riverfront boasts some of Melbourne's most scenic dining spots with views of the Yarra and city skyline, including quirky craft beer bar Hopscotch, or sophisticated cocktail bar Left Bank.
Crown Melbourne (3) is a destination for high end restaurants, global luxury retail brands and live performance venues.
South Wharf Promenade (4) leads to a vibrant cluster of outdoor casual dining spots by the water including The Boatbuilders Yard and BangPop.
At this junction you'll notice the striking arches of Seafarers Bridge (5) leading to the Spanish Mission Revival architecture of Mission to Seafarers (6). Also a bar and function space, this unique building was a haven offering welfare and church services to seafarers.
Look for the 1885 heritage-listed Polly Woodside (7), an ocean-going trading vessel launched in Belfast. The tall ship is now a maritime museum.
The Webb Bridge (8), designed by Robert Owen, echoes the shape of a Koori fishing trap and the gestural flow of the river.
Take a closer look at MPavilion (9), by British architect Amande Levete's studio A_LA. Also on this piazza are quirky sculptures including Emily Floyd's playful oversized black rabbit Signature Work (2004), and the dancing figures of Michael Snape's Continuum (2005).
Explore Docklands Park (10) artworks including Virginia King's water feature Reed Vessel (2004), and an interactive playground.
Facing the marina is the surreal, bronze sculpture Cow Up a Tree (11) (2000) by artist John Kelly who took inspiration from the distinctive style of Australian painter William Dobell.
Across the road is Marvel Stadium (12) which plays host to regular Australian Football League (AFL) and A-League football matches and live concerts.
Take in the gorgeous views of Victoria Harbour, bobbing with pleasure boats and luxury yachts berthed at Melbourne City Marina (13).
At New Quay Promenade (14) you'll find a mysterious collection of draped concrete sculptures belonging to artist Callum Morton called Monument Park.
Ron Barassi Senior Park (15) is named after the iconic Melbourne Football Club player, the park ends underneath the Bolte Bridge on the edge of Moonee Ponds Creek.
MORE WATER WAYS TO EXPLORE
Want to continue your ride? Follow these other bike trails around Melbourne.
Connect with the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail behind Ron Barassi Senior Park. It takes you past Docklands Studios and The District Docklands shopping complex. The path beside the creek continues for 25 km all the way to Woodlands Historic Park next to Melbourne Airport.
Or ride under the Footscray Road Bridge and link up with the Maribyrnong River Trail. You'll pass the rows of shipping containers at Victoria Dock, and wind through the western suburbs for 25 km.
The return journey on the 29 km Capital City Trail via Southbank follows the Yarra River through the city and beyond into Richmond, South Yarra and the inner north. At Dights Falls in Collingwood it becomes the Merri Creek Trail, and eventually joins up to Moonee Ponds Creek Trail.
Bike tips: Ride into the city or bring your bike on the train. No wheels? Hire a bike and helmet.
Remember to always wear a helmet and keep an eye out for bike safety road rules. Using your phone whilst riding your bike is also strictly prohibited.
Location
Southbank Promenade, 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank 3006 Map
