Southgate

Lonely Planet review

Southgate was the first shopping and dining complex built along the south bank of the Yarra, replacing billowing chimney stacks and saw-toothed factories. The complex joined its illustrious Southbank neighbours (the Arts Centre, Australian Ballet and Opera Australia) in the early '90s. Southgate is also well connected to the city via an arched footbridge, and riverside promenades run all the way west to the casino complex.

You'll find some quality restaurants and cafés among the three levels of dining rooms that all enjoy a stellar outlook over the river and city. Night transforms the skyline, with spotlights, coloured neons and grids of illuminated office-block windows imbuing the city with a grand staginess. Daytime is perkier, with light bouncing off the water and ricocheting around the shiny surfaces of the complex. There's an international food hall on the ground floor, as well as boutiques and a collection of specially commissioned sculptures and other artworks. Check out the Travellers (along the Sandridge Bridge), a series of 10 sculptures standing 7.5m high that represent Melbourne's waves of migrants.

A number of boat operators are stationed outside Southgate should you want to hail a water taxi to take you to the sporting precinct or cruise over to Williamstown.