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DOCKLANDS information & attractions
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Introduction:

Docklands is situated immediately west of Melbourne's central business district and fronts the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.

Originally used by container ships but abandoned during the 1970s with the advent of modern shipping practices further downstream, the area is being redeveloped into a modern residential, leisure, sporting and dining precinct.

The proximity of Docklands to Melbourne's CBD (walking distance or a short tram ride) and the several kilometres of Yarra River and Victoria Harbour water frontage that it enjoys, make Docklands a central and attractive place for visitors and residents.

Docklands has created an extensive waterfront aspect for the heart of Melbourne. Wide promenades beside the harbour and river are lined with apartment buildings, restaurants, retail outlets and areas of open space which also serve as outdoor art galleries with sculptures, figurines and other forms of creative contemporary artwork on display. Notable landmarks within Docklands include the Bolte Bridge and towers to the west, the large stadium overlooking Victoria Harbour (Etihad Stadium), and Southern Cross Station which is the hub of the state's regional rail network.

Docklands is divided up into a number of distinct precincts. Waterfront City and NewQuay occupy the northern edge of Victoria Harbour and offer a mix of retail, dining and residential developments fronting promenades and open spaces on the waterfront. The Victoria Harbour precinct occupies the heart of Docklands and features residential apartments, office space, retail outlets, restaurants and large expanses of open space including wide promenades fronting the water and the green oasis of Docklands Park. Between Victoria Harbour and the Southern Cross Station is the sporting ground and entertainment venue of Etihad Stadium which features a retractable roof and hosts football, rugby and cricket games as well as concerts and other major events. On the southern bank of the Yarra River is the Yarra's Edge precinct, primary dedicated to residential apartment buildings and featuring a large marina, public promenade and the attractive Point Park. The architecturally striking Webb Bridge provides a cycling and pedestrian link between Yarra's Edge and Victoria Harbour on the north side of the Yarra River.

Other precincts at Docklands are home to more residential developments, a movie studio and the headquarters of large businesses.

 
Attractions:

Etihad Stadium
Formerly known as Colonial Stadium and Telstra Dome, this sporting and entertainment stadium is located in the heart of Docklands and hosts football, soccer, rugby and cricket matches, plus concerts and other events
Fox Classic Car Collection
Housed in the historic Queen's Warehouse building, up to 80 prestige cars are on display for public viewing
Southern Star Observation Wheel
(expected re-opening late 2010) Located within the shopping and entertainment Harbour Town precinct, this 120 metre high observation wheel has 21 moving sealed glass cabins providing stunning views over the city and bay

Art & culture:

Ngapa Gallery
Displaying Aboriginal art from some of Australia's most prominent Aboriginal artists and a diverse range of Aboriginal artefacts

Shopping & markets:

Harbour Town
Located in the Waterfront City precinct next to the Southern Star observation wheel, this diverse shopping centre features around 200 brand direct outlet and specialty stores

Local tourist guides:

Melbourne Docklands
A complete guide to this unique waterfront development in the heart of Melbourne including parks, open spaces, waterways, shopping and dining
NewQuay
The NewQuay precinct at Docklands offers a mix of waterfront restaurants, cafes, bars, boutique retailers, fine art galleries, luxury apartment buildings and a marina
Victoria Harbour
This southern Docklands precinct features waterfront restaurants and shopping along a north facing promenade, a marina and open parkland
Waterfront City
Waterfront City is an entertainment and lifestyle precinct at Docklands, situated around the central Piazza with apartments, restaurants, cafes, bars and a scenic public marina
Yarra's Edge
Stretching along the southern bank of the Yarra River, this precinct has a large marina, a river front esplanade with shops and restaurants, residential apartment buildings and exclusive low rise neighbourhood homes

* All the above links are external and open up in a new window

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