Southbank occupies the south bank of the Yarra River directly across from the CBD. For most of Melbourne's history it was industrial — rail yards, abattoirs, and warehouses — but a sustained development push from the 1980s onwards transformed it into the city's arts and entertainment hub. The Melbourne Arts Precinct, containing the National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne, Melbourne Recital Centre, and Malthouse Theatre, sits at the eastern end and makes Southbank the most concentrated arts district in Australia.
The riverside promenade is pleasant for a walk, with a string of restaurants and bars overlooking the Yarra. The Crown complex — casino, hotel, and entertainment centre — dominates the western end, and the Eureka Tower observation deck gives the best views of the city. Southbank connects to the CBD via multiple pedestrian bridges, making it easy to combine with a walk through the CBD laneways.