Where to Stay in Melbourne: 10 Best Areas Compared
From skyline penthouses in Southbank to beach apartments in St Kilda, here is how Melbourne’s best areas compare for location, atmosphere, transport and the kind of stay you want.
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Where should I stay in Melbourne?
For a first visit, stay in the Melbourne CBD for walkability and free trams, or Southbank for the best views. Choose Docklands for Marvel Stadium and waterfront space, Richmond for the MCG and tennis, St Kilda for the beach, South Yarra for shopping and nightlife, Carlton for food, Port Melbourne for a quiet bayside stay, South Melbourne for the Grand Prix and Abbotsford for a local riverside feel.
Melbourne’s best areas to stay
Ten areas, each with reviewed penthouses and 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments.
19 stays compared · Best for first visitsMelbourne CBD
Laneways, rooftop bars, theatres and shopping on your doorstep, with free trams across the grid.
Explore Melbourne CBD →
12 stays compared · Best viewsSouthbank
The tallest towers and the best skyline and river views, beside the arts precinct and Crown.
Explore Southbank →
7 stays compared · Best for Marvel StadiumDocklands
Waterfront apartments with more space, quieter nights and Marvel Stadium on foot.
Explore Docklands →
1 stay compared · Best beach staySt Kilda
Beach, pier, Acland Street cafes and Luna Park, with trams straight into the city.
Explore St Kilda →
1 stay compared · Best for shoppingSouth Yarra
Chapel Street boutiques, bars and brunch, the Royal Botanic Gardens and fast trains to the CBD.
Explore South Yarra →1 stay compared · Best for the MCGRichmond
Walk to the MCG and Melbourne Park, with Victoria Street food and Swan Street pubs.
Explore Richmond →
2 stays compared · Best for food loversCarlton
Lygon Street Italian dining, leafy gardens, the museum and the University of Melbourne.
Explore Carlton →
1 stay compared · Quiet baysidePort Melbourne
Calm beaches, Bay Street cafes and the cruise terminal at Station Pier, one tram from the city.
Explore Port Melbourne →1 stay compared · Best for the Grand PrixSouth Melbourne
The South Melbourne Market, village streets and Albert Park Lake within walking distance.
Explore South Melbourne →
1 stay compared · Local riverside feelAbbotsford
Victoria Street eats, the Abbotsford Convent and Yarra river trails, close to the MCG.
Explore Abbotsford →Which area suits you?
- First visit or a short city break: Melbourne CBD
- Skyline and river views: Southbank
- Marvel Stadium, families and more space: Docklands
- Beach holiday with the city close by: St Kilda or Port Melbourne
- Shopping, brunch and nightlife: South Yarra
- MCG, AFL, cricket and the Australian Open: Richmond, the east end of the CBD or Southbank
- Grand Prix at Albert Park: South Melbourne, St Kilda or Southbank
- Food, culture and a village feel: Carlton or Abbotsford
Central Melbourne: CBD, Southbank and Docklands
These three areas hold most of Melbourne’s penthouses and larger apartments. The CBD puts restaurants, laneways, theatres and shopping on your doorstep, and the Free Tram Zone covers the CBD and Docklands, so you rarely need a car.
Southbank sits just across the Yarra with the tallest residential towers, including Eureka Tower, and the best skyline views. Docklands offers more space and a quieter waterfront, with Marvel Stadium next door.
Inner suburbs: beach, food and a local feel
St Kilda and Port Melbourne suit a bayside holiday, with beaches and promenades a short tram ride from the city. South Yarra is the place for shopping, brunch and nightlife around Chapel Street.
Richmond and Abbotsford are close to the MCG and Melbourne Park with some of the city’s best casual dining. Carlton is known for Lygon Street’s Italian restaurants and its gardens, and South Melbourne combines a famous market with easy access to Albert Park.
Where to stay for major events
- AFL, cricket and the Australian Open (MCG and Melbourne Park): Richmond, the east end of the CBD or Southbank
- Concerts and AFL at Marvel Stadium: Docklands or the west end of the CBD
- Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park: South Melbourne, St Kilda or Southbank
- Melbourne Cup at Flemington: the CBD or Docklands, with trains and trams to the course
- Conferences at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre: Southbank or South Wharf
Getting around Melbourne
Trams cover every area on this page. Travel within the Free Tram Zone (CBD and Docklands) is free; outside it you need a myki card or contactless payment. The Metro Tunnel stations at Town Hall, State Library and Anzac link the CBD with the south-east and the Domain area of St Kilda Road.
Related guides
Melbourne guideAll Melbourne penthousesCompare every stayExplore →Melbourne guideTop 10 penthousesOur shortlistExplore →Melbourne guide1-bedroom apartmentsCouples and solo tripsExplore →Melbourne guide2-bedroom apartmentsFriends and small familiesExplore →Melbourne guide3-bedroom apartmentsGroups and familiesExplore →
Melbourne guideMelbourne events 2027Where to stay for each eventExplore →Photo: The original uploader was Decryption512 at English Wikipedia / CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Melbourne for first-time visitors?
The Melbourne CBD is the easiest choice for a first visit: you can walk to restaurants, laneways, galleries and shopping, and the Free Tram Zone gets you around the centre at no cost. Southbank is a close alternative if views matter most.
Which Melbourne area has the best views?
Southbank has the tallest residential towers in Melbourne, including Eureka Tower, so its penthouses have the best skyline, river and bay views.
Where should families stay in Melbourne?
Docklands suits families who want more space and a quieter waterfront close to the city, while St Kilda and Port Melbourne offer beaches and parks. Look at 2- and 3-bedroom apartments for extra room.
Where should I stay for the MCG or the Australian Open?
Richmond is the closest suburb to the MCG and Melbourne Park. The east end of the CBD and Southbank are also within walking distance or a short tram ride.
Is it better to stay in the CBD or a suburb?
Stay in the CBD or Southbank for walkability and nightlife. Choose a suburb such as St Kilda, South Yarra or Carlton for a more local atmosphere, often with more space, while still being a short tram or train ride from the city.
Reviewed 31 October 2026 by the Melbourne Penthouse Apartments editorial team · How we review stays