Southern Cross to Melbourne Central City Walk
Southern Cross to Melbourne Central City Walk
From Southern Cross Railway Station down to the Yarra River then up Swanson St to Melbourne Central Railway Station
Summary
From Southern Cross Railway Station down to the Yarra River then up Swanson St to Melbourne Central Railway Station
Description
Start at Southern Cross Railway Station on the corner of Collins and Spencer Sts. Check the screen at ‘The Age’ building for the news, weather and time. Walk down Spencer St towards the Yarra River. Staying on the left side, walk past the Sir Charles Hotham Hotel on your left and the Grand Hotel (former Victorian Railways Head Office) on your right.
Cross Flinders St and go under the rail viaduct (trains on top). Turn left into Rebecca Walk, a group of eclectic shops in Batman Park. There is an enormous pigeon coop near King St. Cross King St to SeaLife Melbourne Aquarium perched at the corner of Kings Bridge.
Just past the aquarium is Enterprize Park where the first settlers on the ship Enterprize went ashore on 30 August 1835. This is also where indigenous artists created the ‘Scar Project’ (decorated sculptures) from original wharf poles from Queens Bridge. There are more on the pier near Queens Bridge.
Cross Queensbridge St to Banana Alley. These railway vaults were built to support the rail viaduct that connected the stations at Flinders Street and Spencer Street. The vaults became known as Banana Alley because bananas coming from Queensland were stored there. Banana Alley is also famous for Doherty’s 24-Hour Gym.
Look to your right and you will see the Sandridge Bridge, which used to be the gateway for Port Melbourne trains crossing the Yarra River. Now it houses ‘The Travellers’, giant steel sculptures that represent the waves of immigrants to our shores.
Past Banana Alley and Sandridge Bridge is Flinders Walk, which is beside Flinders Street Railway station. You can hear the train announcements as you make your way towards Princes Bridge. In the middle of the Yarra River sits Ponyfish Island, perched under the Pedestrian Bridge that is weighted down by locks hooked on by lovers. The Pedestrian Bridge is at the Elizabeth St entrance to Flinders St Railway Station. ‘Arbory’ café sits in between Flinders Walk and the station.
Walk under Princes Bridge to Princes Walk. It’s possible to keep walking along the Yarra River here for a long way. This time walk up the stairs at the Riverland Bar and Café to come out at Federation Square. Here there are cafes, ACMI, special events and the Melbourne Visitor Centre for all things touristy.
Continue up Swanston St towards the Melbourne Visitor Centre. Across Flinders St lies St Paul’s Cathedral and diagonally opposite is the iconic Flinders Street Station. Keep walking along Swanston St and you will pass the City Square and the Melbourne Town Hall. At Bourke St is the mall with plenty of buskers if you want to be entertained. At Lt Bourke St is Chinatown with many options to eat Asian. Further along Swanston St on the corner of Lonsdale St is QV Shopping Centre. Last stop is the State Library with free wifi and Melbourne Central railway station and shopping centre on opposite corners of Swanston and La Trobe streets.
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Points of Interest
1. The Age building
Check the screen at ‘The Age’ building for the news, weather and time.
2. The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is the former Victorian Railways Head Office. It has a strange train-like sculpture in the front.
3. Batman Park
Rebecca Walk is a group of eclectic shops in Batman Park. There is an enormous pigeon coop near King St.
4. SeaLife Melbourne Aquarium
Cross King St to SeaLife Melbourne Aquarium perched at the corner of Kings Bridge.
5. Enterprize Park
Enterprize Park where the first settlers on the ship Enterprize went ashore on 30 August 1835.
6. Scar Project
Indigenous artists created the ‘Scar Project’ (decorated sculptures) from original wharf poles from Queens Bridge.
7. Banana Alley
These railway vaults were built to support the rail viaduct that connected the stations at Flinders Street and Spencer Street.
8. Sandridge Bridge
Sandridge Bridge used to be the gateway for Port Melbourne trains crossing the Yarra River. Now it houses ‘The Travellers’, giant steel sculptures representing immigrants to our shores.
9. Pony fish Island and Pedestrian Bridge
Pony fish Island is perched under the Pedestrian Bridge that is weighted down by locks hooked on by lovers. The Eureka Tower dominates the background.
10. Arbory Cafe
‘Arbory’ café sits in between Flinders Walk and Flinders Street Railway Station.
11. Princes Bridge
Princes Bridge with the Arts Centre spire in the background from Flinders Walk.
12. Federation Square
At Federation Square there are cafes, ACMI, special events and the Melbourne Visitor Centre for all things touristy.
16. Melbourne Town Hall
The Melbourne Town Hall is a focal point of the city and hosts many events.
18. QV shopping centre
QV shopping centre was built on the site of the The Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital. One of the original buildings still stands in Lonsdale St. It now houses the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre.
19. State Library Victoria
The State Library is a popular spot for lounging on the lawns at lunchtime. The free wifi is an added attraction. It also holds many talks, discussions and exhibitions, which are usually free.
Features
Public Transport
Picnic spot
Drinking water available
Seating available
Pram friendly
Historical interest
Local treasures
Art and culture
Lake, creek, river
Park / Garden
