Moving to Southbank (2026)
Moving suburbs is one of the biggest decisions you will make. This guide puts every essential for Southbank in one place — the GP you will register with, the supermarket you will default to, the cafe that becomes your regular, and the park where you will walk the dog.
Population: 20,900 (ABS Census 2021)
Southbank at a Glance
| Need | Southbank |
|---|---|
| Estimated rent (1BR) | $350–$460/week |
| Restaurants | 0 |
| Cafes | 67 |
| Schools | 7 |
| Parks | 14 |
| Medical | 0 |
| Supermarkets | 0 |
| Pharmacies | 4 |
Your First Week in Southbank
Day 1-2: Set Up Healthcare
Register with a GP immediately — do not wait until you are sick.
Pharmacies: Amcal, Chemist Warehouse, Southgate Pharmacy, Capsule Pharmacy
Day 2-3: Find Your Supermarket
Day 3-4: Explore the Food Scene
Southbank has 0 restaurants and 67 cafes. Start with these:
Morning coffee:
- The Bond Store — 1 Riverside Quay
- Wild Bean Cafe — 322 City Road
- The Original Cafe — 23 Dorcas Street
- Nashi — 8 Dorcas Street, Southbank
Day 4-5: Set Up Transport
- Get a Myki card — available at any train station, 7-Eleven, or PTV hub
- Myki Money vs Myki Pass — Money for occasional use, Pass for daily commuters
- Daily cap: $10.60 (Zone 1+2) — you will never pay more than this per day
- Register your Myki at ptv.vic.gov.au — protects your balance if lost
Check PTV Journey Planner for your specific commute from Southbank.
Day 5-7: Walk the Neighbourhood
Southbank has 14 parks. Find the one closest to your place and make it your default walk:
- Seafarers Rest Park
- Batman Park
- Sturt Street Reserve
- Miles and Dodds Reserve
- Docklands Park
- Polly Woodside Park
If You Have Kids
Southbank has 7 schools. Check your zone at findmyschool.vic.gov.au.
| School | Address |
|---|---|
| Evolve College | — |
| Kangan Batman TAFE Automotive Centre | — |
| Montague School | 100 Montague Street |
| Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School | 55-65 Miles Street, Southbank |
| Baxter Institute (Automotive and Bakery Campus) | 87-89 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank |
Cost of Living in Southbank
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $350–$460/week |
| Groceries (weekly, single) | $80–$120 |
| Myki transport (monthly) | ~$165 |
| Utilities (monthly) | $150–$250 |
| Internet (monthly) | $60–$90 |
| Flat white (daily) | $4.50–$5.50 |
See our detailed Cost of Living Guide for the full breakdown.
Should You Move to Southbank?
Read our Honest Guide for the unfiltered pros and cons based on real data.
Related Guides
- Best Restaurants in Southbank
- Best Cafes in Southbank
- Best Bars in Southbank
- Cost of Living in Southbank
- Southbank Neighbourhood Guide
- Family Guide to Southbank
- Is Southbank Safe?
- Southbank Transport Guide
Last updated: March 2026. This guide is refreshed when OpenStreetMap data changes — new openings, closures and corrections are reflected automatically. Found something wrong? Let us know.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Contributors — openstreetmap.org — accessed March 2026
- ABS Census 2021 — abs.gov.au/census
- REIV Quarterly Median Prices — reiv.com.au
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