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Docklands Overview

Docklands Melbourne is a suburb located in the inner-western side of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is about 2 km (1.2 miles) from Melbourne's CBD or Central Business District. Taking into account all the land and water that makes up Docklands, the entire area adds up to around 200 hectares and it is one of the best places to visit in Melbourne.

It is a waterfront area bounded to the west by CityLink, on the east by the Wurundjeri Way and the Charles Grimes Bridge while Lorimer Street across the Yarra river lines up its south.
The west of Melbourne initially used to be a forest swamp and by the 1880s parts of it began to be utilized massively as an address for a dock accompanied by a vast network of wharfs, railways and small industries.

Later following the introduction of containerisation of shipping traffic the dock started losing its importance and was virtually abandoned in the 1990s. An underground rave dance scene, which generally involves parties surrounding performances by DJs, also started to gain popularity in Docklands by the 1990s.

Today's Docklands is the shelter of Melbourne’s many tourist attractions including the striking Melbourne Star Observation wheel and the Docklands football Stadium. Other recommended options are the beautiful sunset, the urban arts and the cafes and restaurants facing the Yarra.

The west of Melbourne initially used to be a forest swamp and by the 1880s parts of it began to be utilized massively as an address for a dock accompanied by a vast network of wharfs, railways and small industries.

Later following the introduction of containerisation of shipping traffic the dock started losing its importance and was virtually abandoned in the 1990s. An underground rave dance scene, which generally involves parties surrounding performances by DJs, also started to gain popularity in Docklands by the 1990s.

How To Reach


By Bus: Take a Skybus from Melbourne Airport T1 to 454 Docklands Dr. It is a 21-minute (21.5 km) ride costing around 18 australian dollars and is available once every hour. 

By Taxi:
You may also take a Taxi ride, from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Docklands, for roughly 17 minutes (21.7 km) costing somewhere between 43 and 51 australian dollars.

By Shuttle:
Shuttle services can be availed as well within a range of 15 to 123 australian dollars depending on demand of service.

By Uber:
An Uber ride (17 minutes) will cost somewhere around 41 and 47 australian dollars.

Best Time To Visit

In terms of weather, the best time to visit Docklands is between January 29th to May 6th and September 17th to December 2nd based on humidity and temperature data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

During January the average temperature is around 22 degrees (celsius) which gradually drops to 14 by the beginning of May. Following May the weather only gets colder, making it a little unpleasant for tourists.

The temperature starts to rise again from mid September until late December. If you are looking for some bright sunny skies at Docklands with no sign of rain, January, March and February are the driest months in decreasing order. 

Docklands is at its busiest in the months of January, July and March making hotels and flights more expensive than usual. May is the least crowded and hence the least expensive month of the year.

Other Essential Information



1. Location:
Docklands is located at a distance of 2 km (1.2 miles) from the Melbourne CBD (Central Business District). It is an inner-western suburb in the city of Melbourne.

2. Entry fee:
There is no such entry fee for visiting Docklands. The entire area is open to the public, both tourists and locals alike. However, if you want to enjoy an uninterrupted 360-degree view of Docklands from the 120 metres tall Melbourne Star, you will have to buy a ticket for $36 to $46 ($22 to $32 for children) depending on the type of flight.

3. Distance from Melbourne Airport:
The separation is 18 km while the distance by road is 21.7 km.

Bars in Dockland



Docklands is full of several beer parlours worth checking in at least once during your visit and mentioned below are only a popular few.

1. Platform 28:
It is a two-story, initially a railway goods warehouse, bar cum restaurant that offers both indoor and outdoor seating for casual dining and drinking. It contains a pretty relaxed ambience surrounding a vast collection of beer and wine.

2. The Woolshed Pub:
It is a restaurant cum bar serving gastro pub style tastes within a warm family atmosphere. You can book it for a private party facing the beautiful views of the Dockland or grab a meal on its external balcony, fireside rooms as well as the waterfront rooms.

3. Alumbra:
Located on Victoria Pier, this bar plus club organises a live band performance every Sunday guaranteeing a chilled weekend experience alongside some BBQ street food in New York City style from chef Daniel Wilson. It is a popular place for evening hangouts and also comes with a nightclub. There is also an option for a VIP menu served by a personal hostess, but only if you book early.

4. Renzo's Bar:
Standing right in the heart of Docklands, this Italian bar, cafe cum restaurant is known for its friendly atmosphere surrounding the cocktails and the appetizing Italian cuisine.

5. Watermark Docklands:
Other than boasting about its deluxe decor and Italian hospitality the Watermark also serves a wide selection of beer and wine.

History of Docklands and Docklands Rave history



Docklands formerly used to be a wetlands area before the city of Melbourne was founded. It was mostly comprised of a large salt lake and a giant swamp also called the West Melbourne Swamp, at the opening of the Moonee Ponds Creek. The Wurundjeri people who used the land as one of their open hunting grounds also created middens surrounding the edges of the lake.


Once Melbourne started to form up, John Batman placed the foundations of his new residence on Batman's Hill at Docklands which used to lie on the westernmost side of the settlement. Other than that, the remaining part of the land stayed largely unused till decades.

The 1860s witnessed the introduction of railways that gradually resulted in an industrial development of the area. A new Victoria Dock was constructed in the 1880s as a part of a major engineering feat that also widened and changed the course of the Yarra river. The Dock was also used as the main naval port in times of war, making it the busiest in Melbourne by the 1920s. For a long time the place remained untouched by any form of urban settlement. In 1989, for the first time, several architectural firms were tasked with the job of deciding how to make public use of the land.

Docklands kept evolving in the following years and in late 1996 a plan for the construction of a private football stadium was also announced. The City of Melbourne Local Government Authority finally declared Docklands as a part of it on the 1st of July 2007.

The early 1980s also saw the birth of the gay and lesbian warehouse party scene which ultimately inspired the underground rave dance scene of Docklands in the 1990s. It usually involved parties in nightclubs and warehouses with people dancing to the tunes of electronic music played by DJs. The culture continued to flourish through events like New Year's Eve, Winter Daze and Resurrection dance parties.


Tips for Docklands Melbourne



Keep the following in mind while you are in Docklands.

1. There is no entry fee for visiting Docklands but for getting on the Melbourne Star you will have to purchase tickets starting at $36 ($22 for children).

2. If you are in or around Docklands near evening do not miss a chance to catch the beautiful sunset from Central Pier.

3. If you are still in Docklands after dusk and wish not to call it a day yet, try checking out Alumbra, the most popular nightclub in the area, for some New York style food and a band performance every Sunday.

4. The best time to visit Docklands is at night for the stunning fireworks and the illuminated Melbourne Star.

Read More

Tourism Board Alliances

Docklands FAQs

Where should I stay in Melbourne?

Some of the best neighbourhoods include Richmond (hip suburb close to city), Prahran and Windsor (many bars and restaurants), The CBD (Central Business District), Hawthorn (great for experiencing the local lifestyle), St Kilda (close to beaches), Collingwood (inner suburb with great cafes), Fitzroy (excellent for boutique shopping or a night out) and Brunswick (famous for its urban art but is a dirty neighbourhood).

What time are the fireworks at Docklands?

You will get to see the fireworks every Friday during July and August at 7 PM in the evening that last for about 10 minutes.

What is Docklands in Melbourne?

Docklands is an inner-western suburb or one may also say a modern harbour development of Melbourne, Victoria, which is popular for its waterside dining and shopping amidst other attractions like its high-rises and the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel.

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