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Over the past three decades, Melbourne’s Docklands has risen like a phoenix from what was once an industrial and maritime no-go zone.
Located at the western end of the CBD proper, the precinct is something of an urban renewal masterpiece; a city within a city that it is now home to many of Australia’s biggest corporations and thousands of apartment dwellers. The project has not been without its critics over the years, but as you walk through the Docklands today past the gleaming towers and marinas housing millions of dollars worth of boating bling, you can’t help but be impressed. And the best part is that staying in the Docklands could significantly reduce the cost of your Melbourne accommodation.
Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in the Docklands.
Watch our video of ten top things to do in Melbourne:
Top 10 Things to Do in MELBOURNE, Australia in 2025 (Cheap to Chic!) | Ultimate Travel Guide
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1. Go behind the scenes at Marvel Stadium
While it lives somewhat in the shadow of the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground (not to mention the residential and commercial office towers that now almost completely encircle it), the Dockland’s Marvel Stadium is a key venue for sporting clashes, concerts and large-scale events in the Victorian capital. AFL matches are played here throughout the season, and footy fans will love going behind the scenes on one of the daily venue tours. See the players’ change rooms, the coaches’ briefing room and box, the umpires’ tunnel, and much more. Bookings are essential.
2. Take a stroll along the esplanades and promenades
You mightn’t realise it as a visitor, but the Docklands is actually made up of several smaller precincts and they’ll all been designed to capitalise on their waterfront locales. Just strolling by the water is a lovely way to pass the time. The 170 juvenile Norfolk Island pines that line Harbour Esplanade are finally getting up a head of steam and will be truly stunning in years to come. Boating enthusiasts will love Newquay Promenade, which is lined with berthed yachts and other glittering water craft. Directly opposite, the Victoria Harbour Promenade is home to bustling cafes, bars, and restaurants, and is a great spot to do some people watching.
3. Get ‘appy on a public art walk
One of the things you’ll notice as you explore the Docklands is the vast array of public art and sculpture on display. Introduced to soften the swathes of concrete and glass that surround workers and residents, the art has become quite a draw card in its own right. Visitors can download the Docklands Walking Tours app and follow an art trail that takes in 26 pieces by predominantly Melburnian artists. One of the best loved pieces has to be Cow Up a Tree by John Kelly, which was erected in 2000.
There are three sections to the walk, and each takes around an hour to complete. The terrain is almost completely flat, so doing the trail by bike, e-scooter, or on inline skates will add a fun and active twist to the experience.
4. Shop and star-spot at The District Docklands
Situated at the northern end of the Docklands, The District is a largely open-air shopping, dining and entertainment complex, complete with cinemas and an ice-skating rink. Browse the wares of fashion retailers like H&M and UNIQLO, grab a bite to eat from one of the 30 cafes and eateries, go for a glide around the rink at Icehouse, or catch the latest blockbuster on the big screen. Speaking of which, keep your eyes peeled for the odd Hollywood actor moseying about. The District is located right next to the Docklands Studios, so you’re in prime star spotting territory!
5. Taste a local craft brewing success story
Urban Alley Brewery began life in a garage in St Kilda and is now a very impressive-sounding 25-hectolitre brewhouse located in The District. It’s become a firm fixture on the made-in-Melbourne ale trail and is renowned for its fresh easy-drinking style and sustainable production practices. Watch the brewery in action through the floor to ceiling windows as you enjoy your choice of brew. Staff will be happy to talk you through the product range.
6. Visit the Victoria Police Museum
The existence of the Victoria Police Museum would probably come as a complete surprise to many Melburnians! It’s located in brand new digs at the top end of Spencer Street, and is well worth a visit. You’ll see a permanent display of artefacts relating to high profile crimes in Victoria (including armour worn by members of the Kelly Gang, and the car used in the Russell Street bombing in 1986), alongside temporary exhibitions on specialist themes.
7. Step back in time
There are intriguing pockets of yesteryear to be found in the Docklands. Drop by the more-than-a-century-old, heritage-listed Mission to Seafarers Victoria (717 Flinders Street) — part of a global network that still caters to the needs of seafarers while in port. The distinctive building, constructed in the Arts and Crafts movement-style, houses an array of maritime memorabilia. Tours are offered once a month, but just stick your head in any time and say hi. Staff will often be free to show you around.
Just across Wurundjeri Way, take in the impressive end façade of Victorian-era No 2 Goods Shed — an old railway freight shed that was at one time the longest single building in Australia.
8. Ride the City Circle tram
The Docklands makes a very convenient boarding point for Melbourne’s popular No. 35 City Circle tram, which runs along Harbour Esplanade in front of Marvel Stadium. The restored heritage W-Class trams trundle their way around a loop of the entire CBD and play informative recorded commentary along the way. Settle in and enjoy the whole ride or hop on and off at key attractions as often as you like. It’s free of charge.
9. Do a cruise
Life in the Docklands precinct revolves around the water, literally. So, it would be remiss not to do a sightseeing cruise during your stay. Melbourne River Cruises offers a one-hour Ports and Docklands Cruise, which departs from the Southbank Promenade and will give you an insight into the workings of one of the busiest shipping ports in the country.
You’ll pass a grande dame of the cargo carrying world — the Polly Woodside. Managed by the National Trust and pre-dating the Titanic, Polly travelled 1.5 million miles during a long and illustrious career. While her days of braving the waves on the open sea are over, you can still climb aboard during the ship’s regular open days. Polly is moored at South Wharf — a delightful 15-or-so-minute stroll from the heart of the Docklands.
10. Watch the sun set from a kayak
Sunsets in this part of the city are generally pretty stunning as the sun sinks behind the twinkling lights of the Bolte Bridge. One of the loveliest ways to enjoy golden hour is on a kayak tour with Kayak Melbourne. Their evening tour departs just before sunset from the Victoria Harbour Promenade (right next to The Dock Library) and follows the Yarra River through the CBD, before wrapping up at the rowing sheds opposite Federation Square. A dinner of fresh fish and chips is included in the tour price.
Need a place to stay?
Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands
It’s fair to say that the Travelodge hotel brand has gone through something of a renaissance in recent years, and the Travelodge Melbourne Docklands is a fabulous example. It offers a functional, but stylish stay in a prime location at a great price point — which ticks most of the boxes for this particular traveller!
Let’s start with the all-important location. Travelodge Melbourne Docklands is situated just over the Bourke Street pedestrian footbridge from Southern Cross railway station, which makes it a super-easy option if you are coming in from Melbourne Airport on Skybus. The walk to or from the CBD takes no more than six minutes. I timed it. The hotel is also perfectly located if you are attending the footy or a concert at Marvel Stadium and want to make a night of it. Leave fighting the traffic to the 50,000 other fans and be relaxing at your hotel in minutes.
The funky lobby, crisp white sheets, supremely comfortable bed, reliable shower and 11am check-out time are all bang on the money. There’s no cocktail bar downstairs, but drinks are available for purchase. A good value breakfast is offered, and room service is available from 5 to 11pm if you decide to order in. You can even charge back to your room from selected eateries in the precinct.
There are no unnecessary bells and whistles at Travelodge Melbourne Docklands, but I bet you’ll walk away thinking ‘wow, that was uncomplicated, but great!’.
This post was published thanks to Impala Skate.
The writer travelled as a guest of TFE Hotels and Travelodge Melbourne Docklands.
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Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Adam Ford is editor of Top Oz Tours & Travel Ideas, and a travel TV presenter, writer, blogger, and photographer. He has travelled extensively through Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Adam worked as a travel consultant for a number of years with Flight Centre before taking up the opportunity to travel the world himself as host of the TV series Tour the World on Network Ten. He loves to experience everything a new destination has to offer and is equally at home in a five-star Palazzo in Pisa or a home-stay in Hanoi.
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