Melbourne at dusk, looking over South Wharf, the Yarra and its bridges
– Southbank, Victoria –

Oakwood Premier Melbourne.

A 40-storey Southbank tower pairing hotel rooms with serviced apartments, topped by a rooftop venue high above the river.

Read
– Overview –

Hotel comforts, apartment space.

Oakwood Premier Melbourne brings two ways of staying together in one Southbank tower. Its 40 storeys hold 132 hotel rooms for shorter visits and 260 serviced apartments, with full kitchens, for those settling in a little longer.

It was the first Oakwood Premier in Australia, the upscale tier of the Oakwood brand, and the shared spaces reflect that: a lobby bar, a restaurant and a rooftop venue with wide city views, plus a residents' lounge, a games room and a co-working space.

For the moment a hotel room starts to feel small, and you'd rather unpack than live out of a suitcase.

The location suits business and leisure alike. The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and South Wharf are close by, and the city centre is just across the river.

– Setting –

Between the river and the city.

Normanby Road places the hotel on the western side of Southbank, near South Wharf's riverside restaurants and the convention centre. Cross the Yarra and you're in the CBD, where the Free Tram Zone makes getting around without a car easy.

Follow the river east and Southbank leads towards the arts precinct, home to Arts Centre Melbourne and the National Gallery of Victoria, while Flinders Street Station and the city's laneways are an easy walk or tram ride away.

Flinders Street Station's domed facade with tram lines in the foreground
Flinders Street Station, across the river from Southbank.
– Rooms & Suites –

Room to unpack.

Hotel rooms cater to shorter stays, while the studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments come with fully equipped kitchens, useful for families, longer business trips or anyone who likes to cook now and then.

Higher floors bring broader views across the city and the river, so it's worth asking about outlook when you confirm your stay.

A sleek, low-lit hotel bedroom with dark timber and soft fabrics
An open-plan apartment with a kitchen, dining table and city views
Apartments add a full kitchen and separate living space.
– Food & Drink –

From lobby bar to rooftop.

Strato, the rooftop venue, is the standout: drinks and dining with sweeping views over Melbourne, at their best around sunset.

Closer to street level, Fifth restaurant and the Lobby Bar cover breakfast through to an evening drink. With a kitchen in every apartment, eating in is always an option. South Wharf and the CBD add a wide choice of restaurants within a short walk or tram ride.

A plated steak dinner with a glass of red wine
Cocktails being raised at a softly lit bar
Fifth and the Lobby Bar downstairs; Strato on the rooftop.
– Experiences –

Laneways, wine country and the coast.

Melbourne is a city to explore on foot, with some of Victoria's best day trips within a couple of hours' drive.

Laneways & galleries

Street art in Hosier Lane, café-lined laneways and the NGV, all within reach by foot or tram.

Yarra Valley

Cellar doors, long lunches and sunrise balloon flights, about an hour's drive east.

Mornington Peninsula

Hot springs, bay beaches and wineries, around 90 minutes south of the city.

Great Ocean Road

The coastal drive to the Twelve Apostles is a long but memorable day, or a reason to stay longer.

Visitors walking through a Melbourne laneway covered in colourful street art
Hosier Lane and its ever-changing street art.
– Our Take –

The short version.

What we like

  • The choice of a hotel room or a full apartment under one roof.
  • Rooftop drinks and dining with wide views over the city.
  • Handy for the convention centre, South Wharf and the CBD.
  • Useful extras for longer stays: a residents' lounge, games room, co-working space and 24-hour gym.

Worth knowing

  • The western end of Southbank is quieter than the central riverfront: restful, but a short walk from the busiest strip.
  • If a pool matters to you, check the current facilities with the hotel before you travel.
  • Sizes and layouts vary a lot between hotel rooms and apartments, so choose carefully for longer stays.
  • Melbourne's weather changes quickly. Pack layers, whatever the season.
– Best Time To Visit –

When to go.

Melbourne's shoulder seasons are its sweet spot, with mild weather for walking the city and clear days for wine country.

Our pick

Autumn

Mar – May

Mild days, golden light and harvest time in the Yarra Valley. The Melbourne Food and Wine Festival usually runs in March.

Our pick

Spring

Sep – Nov

Warming days, gardens in bloom and a lively calendar of arts and food events.

Summer

Dec – Feb

Long evenings and outdoor dining, with the Australian Open in January. Hot spells are common, so save rooftop time for the evening.

Winter

Jun – Aug

Cool and often grey, but ideal for galleries, theatre and cosy bars, and a quieter time for hotels.

– Keep Exploring –
A warm, modern hotel bedroom with timber accents and a ceiling fan
New South Wales

Crystalbrook Kingsley

Newcastle's landmark round building, reimagined with a rooftop restaurant.

Location
Newcastle
Style
Design-led
Best for
Food & culture
Read the review
A lit swimming pool lined with white sun loungers at dusk
Queensland

The Star Grand

Ocean views, a rooftop pool club and a day spa in Broadbeach.

Location
Broadbeach
Style
Resort
Best for
Pool & beach
Read the review