Discover Southbank Accommodation: Convenient Location For Central Melbourne Holiday

Melbourne, Australia is the capital city of the state of Victoria. It is the second largest city in Australia, and an important business and commercial centre. It is also notable in the fields of the arts, culture, sports and entertainment, and is a popular destination for overseas visitors. The central district of Melbourne is located on the northern side of the Yarra River, and just opposite this is the Southbank district. Formerly this was a rather industrial and run down part of town, but since the 1990s an urban renewal project has revitalised the area. Southbank is a good base for visitors wishing to explore the centre of Melbourne during their stay. This short article looks at some Southbank accommodation options, and also some of Melbourne's attractions which are within walking distance.

The Langham Melbourne, facing the river on Southbank Promenade, is an elegant and sophisticated hotel. Close to many al fresco eateries, and quality shops and boutiques, it is also just as short distance from the main sights in Melbourne's centre, such as the National Gallery, the Arts Centre, the Crown Casino and Federation Square.

The restaurant at the Langham is named in honour of the locally born soprano Dame Nellie Melba. The Melba Restaurant prides itself on its exciting and varied cuisine. Fish from the Tasman Sea, and locally sourced ingredients from the farmlands of Victoria are used wherever possible. The Langham at Melbourne also provides guests with an extensive choice of leisure facilities. There is a fully equipped gymnasium, and a health club, offering yoga and pilates sessions. There is also a sauna and spa, and the heated outdoor pool gives excellent views across Melbourne's city centre skyline.

Another option, just round the corner from the Langham, is the four star Southbank Travelodge on Riverside Quay. Rooms here are air conditioned, and all have ensuite bathrooms. Rooms also have a small kitchenette, with microwave and tea/coffee facilities, and have cable TV.

Anyone who stays on Melbourne's Southbank will be close to the sports and cultural attractions grouped around Melbourne's city centre. Federation Square is the location of the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI). ACMI works through the exhibition, preservation and promotion of all typed of moving screen content, ranging from old films, to modern video and computer images. ACMI's collections contain material from Victoria, and from the rest of Australia, as well as international productions.

The ACMI facility at Federation Square is a state-of-the-art building containing the largest screen gallery in the world. ACMI hosts two multi-format cinemas, as well as hand-on zones with educational and interactive content. The large collections of film and other moving image material which are exhibited at ACMI include film posters and publicity shots, and 16mm and 35mm prints. There is no charge for entry to ACMI, but there may be charges for entry to special exhibitions and film showings. Details of special events can be found in the ACMI online calendar.

The Royal Botanic Gardens are just a short walk away from Melbourne's Southbank. These landscaped gardens are the finest botanical gardens in Australia, and hold a collection of over 10,000 different species of plant. Both native and non-native species are grown here. One three hundred year old eucalyptus is of some historical significance. The celebrations when Victoria became a separate colony from New South Wales were held under this "Separation Tree" in 1850.

The botanic gardens also contain a discovery area for children. The Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden is aimed at children of all ages and abilities.

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