Botanic, Southbank – Area Guide

Getting around

Botanic, Southbank is centrally located, with proximity to a variety of transport options. There is a tram stop at one end of the street and disabled parking at the other end. Angled parking is available in front of the building.

Flinders street station is 1km away.

Public Transport Victoria
Access Map

Food and shopping

You won’t have to go far to enjoy some of Melbourne’s best food and coffee, with options right on your doorstep!

Gordon café – your new local a few doors up from Botanic
Workshop Brothers Southbank – for a great brunch spot
The Terrace at Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne – an all-day café with a garden view

Love shopping? Head to Southbank (17min walk/public transport, 6min drive), South Melbourne or the CBD and you have your pick of boutiques, supermarkets and specialty shops to choose from. Here are a couple of handy options:

Woolworths (17min walk/public transport, 6min drive)
Chemist Warehouse Southbank (8min walk/public transport, 2min drive)
Officeworks South Melbourne (7min walk/public transport, 2min drive)

The best accessible restaurants in Melbourne
Melbourne’s best accessible shops and boutiques

Medical services

Located within an easy distance from Botanic are a range of medical services – we’ve provided a short list below.

Southbank Medical Clinic (8min public transport/walk, 2min drive)

The Alfred Hospital (11min public transport, 7min drive)

Health 2 You – Occupational Therapy – Wheelchair accessible entrance (14min public transport/walk, 4min drive)

Things to Do

Southbank is home to the Melbourne Arts Precinct, including the Arts Centre Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International). Both venues are fully accessible, with ramps, lifts, and accessible restrooms. The NGV International offers tactile tours and audio guides for visitors with visual impairments.

The Royal Botanic Gardens offer a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Spanning 94 acres, the gardens are a haven of tranquillity and natural beauty. The main paths are wide and well-maintained, making them accessible for wheelchair users and those with mobility aids. Accessible restrooms and parking spaces are also available. For an enhanced experience, the Gardens provide the “Seeing Eye Garden,” a sensory garden designed for visitors with visual impairments. This area features fragrant plants and textured surfaces, allowing for a multi-sensory experience.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Rod Laver Arena, offer accessible seating, restrooms, and amenities. These venues provide hearing loops and offer companion card programs, ensuring everyone can enjoy the excitement of Melbourne’s sports and entertainment events.