Melbourne/Inner south

Melbourne's inner south contains a number of suburbs and places worthy of a visit. The landscape varies from industrial ports to glitzy waterfront localities. South Melbourne forms the core, along with Port Melbourne. Albert Park is centred around a large lake in Albert Park, and is home to the famous Grand Prix Circuit.

South Melbourne is a secret jewel of Melbourne. Centred around Clarendon Street, an extension of Spencer Street, the whole district has been settled by Greeks and Italians, quite close to where they first landed at the Port of Melbourne.

Home to magnificent examples of the late Victorian era of architecture and one of the cities wealthiest suburbs, Albert Park is known internationally as the location for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, a road circuit which circumnavigates Albert Park Lake.

Albert Park is bordered by the suburbs of Port Melbourne to the west, South Melbourne to the north, Middle Park to the east and Port Phillip Bay to the south. St Vincent's Gardens and the surrounding Victorian architecture is a sight to behold.

Tram route 1 terminates at South Melbourne beach, while tram routes 12, 58, 72 and 96 also go through the inner south. The 109 terminates near the Port of Melbourne.

If you're travelling to the inner south by car, West Gate Freeway (M1) links the district with the rest of the city. If you're heading east along the freeway, use exits W5 or W2, while if you're heading west, use exits W3 or W5. Do not use exit W4 – it will dump you on CityLink northwest towards the airport, which is in the complete opposite direction.

The only railway station in the inner south is -37.8331144.9721 Anzac Station , which is on the Metro Tunnel, one stop south of Town Hall/Flinders Street. The metro tunnel connects the inner south with the CBD and continues on either side of the tunnel as the Sunbury Line towards Sunbury or the Pakenham/Cranbourne Lines towards the east and southeast.

37°50′30″S 144°56′43″E

Map of Melbourne/Inner south

• -37.846144.971 Albert Park and Lake. Public parkland and lake  (updated Sep 2018)
• -37.82983144.949282 Montague Street Bridge (along the 109 tram route). One of Melbourne's lowest bridges at only 3.0 metres, leading to the result of constant crashes on the bridge and became the site of urban Melbourne legend. A website exists to measure days since there was last a crash on the Montague St Bridge and as of August 25, the median sits at a good 26 days.  (updated Aug 2025)

Piers and lookouts here are listed from west to east.

• -37.8413144.92693 Princes Pier, Pier St, Port Melbourne. A small waterfront pier with many old wooden structures. It's a popular spot with photographers as not only does it provide a nice backdrop, but also makes for a nice sunset view.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8427144.93184 Station Pier, 6 Waterfront Pl, Port Melbourne (opposite terminus of the 109). One of the larger piers with a more extensive view of Port Melbourne. Parking is also readily available, as is public transport access.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8454144.93965 Lagoon Pier (opposite the Esplanade).  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8497144.95076 Kerferd Road Pier (opp Kerferd Rd).  (updated Aug 2025)

• Formula One and other motor racing is held at -37.849722144.9683331 Albert Park Circuit , in the streets surrounding the park. The circuit is within distance of both Middle Park stops on the 96 tram. The next F1 / Grand Prix is 6-8 March 2026.

Clarendon Street has heaps of shops of all varieties.

• -37.83232144.956451 South Melbourne Market. A large food and retail market, with lots of shops selling fresh food as well as delis, cafes and clothes shops. It retains many of the features of yesteryear.  
• Woolworths South Melbourne, 113 Cecil Street. daily 7AM - midnight. Supermarket opposite the market. 
• -37.83374144.961122 Grays, 303 Clarendon Street, ☏ +61 3 9690 5557. An eclectic mix of 20th-century decorative and household items. Stock can include some relatively inexpensive home furnishings. Stuff seems to change regularly.  
• Avenue Bookstore, 127 Dundas Place, Albert Park, ☏ +61 3 9690 2227, [email protected]. 9AM-7PM daily. This excellent bookstore has a wide range of well selected works. (updated Sep 2018)

• -37.8406144.95521 Andrew's Hamburgers, 144 Bridport Street, Albert Park, ☏ +61 3 9690 2126. 11AM-9PM daily. Popular old-school hamburger cafe  (updated Sep 2018)
• -37.8412144.95452 Brumby's Albert Park, 113 Dundas Pl, Albert Park, ☏ +61 3 9682 2960. Budget bakery and cafe.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8469144.94913 Charm Thai Restaurant, 173 Victoria Ave, Albert Park, ☏ +61 3 9686 8868.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8411144.95314 Foti and Friends, 59 Cardigan Pl, ☏ +61 3 9427 8843.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8418144.95335 Misuzu's, 3–7 Victoria Ave, Albert Park, ☏ +61 3 9699 9022. Upper mid-range to splurge Japanese food.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8471144.9496 Third Wave BBQ Albert Park, 181 Victoria Ave, ☏ +61 3 9676 2399, [email protected]. M–Th 11:30AM–10PM; F 11:30AM–11PM; Sa 11AM–11PM; Su 11AM–10PM. American BBQ restaurant.  (updated Aug 2025)
• -37.8475144.94867 Bleakhouse Hotel Albert Park, 97 Beaconsfield Parade, ☏ +61 3 9690 4642.  (updated Aug 2025)

• -37.85005144.978911 The Pullman Hotel Albert Park, 65 Queens Road, ☏ +613 9529 4300. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Ideally located opposite Albert Park Lake, home of Australia’s Grand Prix track. A modern Albert Park hotel moments from St Kilda Road business district and a short tram ride to Melbourne's CBD. From $195.  (updated Mar 2025)

• Napier Cottage. A lovely 2 bedroom cottage situated only 5 minutes walk from the Clarendon Street shopping precinct. 

• The Blackman – An Art Series Hotel, 452 St.Kilda Rd, ☏ +61 3 9039-1444. A five-star boutique with 207 rooms. The hotel was named for artist Charles Blackman and was built immediately behind the historic Airlie Mansion.