Melbourne Australia

South Yarra

South Yarra is one of Melbourne's oldest and most affluent inner-city suburbs, bordered by the Yarra River and Richmond to the north, Prahran to the south and Toorak to the east. Shopping, fashion, dining and entertainment are the main features of South Yarra s extensive commercial precinct.

Best known is Chapel Street, the South Yarra section of which is the most fashionable and upmarket end. A major landmark is The Jam Factory, old factories converted into an upmarket shopping centre and cinemas. The Como Centre is a large shopping centre on the corner of Toorak and Chapel Streets, which combines with an office building, South Yarra s tallest, which houses the headquarters for ATV-10 and Global Television s TV production facilities.

The Prahran Market, located in South Yarra, is one of Melbourne s most popular and historic fresh produce markets. Toorak Road runs off Chapel Street and although not known as well as Toorak Village, is a popular strip that contains a wide range of shops. Chapel Street and Toorak Road also has some of the best nightlife in Australia.

Parks and Gardens: South Yarra s parks and gardens include part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Fawkner Park (large park bordered by offices on St Kilda Road, private residences off Punt Road, Commercial Road and Toorak Road, featuring recreational facilities and grand avenues of trees) and smaller gardens such as the former Greville Botanic Gardens, Como Gardens and the public housing open space.

How to get there: South Yarra has two railway stations. South Yarra railway station is on the Pakenham, Cranbourne, Frankston and Sandringham lines. It is the junction for the Sandringham line. Hawksburn Station is on the Pakenham, Cranbourne and Frankston lines and serves the eastern part of the suburb. Tram routes 8, 72, 78 and 79 also run through South Yarra. Major bus routes run along Commercial Road and Punt Road.

The Architecture of South Yarra >>